Policies Of Buddhist Management In Republic Of China (1912-1949)

In1911, the Revolution broke out, the Republic of China wasestablished, China’s political system is gradually moving modernization, and the greattransformation of the political system also promoted the Modernization of Chinesereligious management. Buddhism, as the most widely spread, the largest number offaith religious, become the focus of the supervision of the Government of theRepublic of China. The author hopes that it can have a systematic analysis to ChinaBuddhism management policy of government during the period of the Republic ofChina through this study.This paper is divided into four parts to discuss the government of the Republic ofChina on the management of Buddhism, in the first part, summarizes the relatedresearch achievements of academic circles in recent years, Buddhism managementpolicy during the period of Republic of China: the emphasis on research on the centralpolicy, laws and regulations, lighter on local policies and measures; be weightier onadministrative orders, lighter on the study of specific events.The second part of this paper analyzes the Republic of China governmentpositive attitude to Buddhism, such as: the government of the Republic of ChinaPresident, Ellingson, he is eager to Buddhism, and perennial vegetarian; SunChuanfang, established the Jin Guangming law, prays for peace; Xiong Xiling, DaiJitao, Zhu Ziqiao and others etc. are Buddhist, they uphold the constitutionenthusiastically, and clear away the obstacles for the development of Buddhism at thecentral level. However, on a social level, in modern times, Buddhism is superstitious;the progressive people regarded it as feudal remnants. Especially after the founding ofthe Republic, popularization of science and democracy in China, Buddhism becamethe symbol of backward, anti Buddhist Movement come into being, and the Templeproduction promotion take away everything. Faced with this situation, internalBuddhism has carried out a series of reforms: the establishment of a nationalorganization, established schools, and provide disaster relief positively. The third part of this paper discusses the specific policy of government managingBuddhist problem. Whether central or local, have repeatedly ordered to protectBuddhism, no occupation of property, but it is the protective form, the lack of realsupervision and execution, and thus have little effect. The government also haspromulgated regulations, management of daily Buddhist activities and templeproperty; it becomes the means of government control to Buddhism, it caused theBuddhist discontent. In addition, the government of the Republic of China strengthensthe management of Tibetan Buddhism by the laws and regulations, and makes use ofthe traditional friendly relations with the formation of the Tibet political and religiousleaders to preserve the central government’s sovereignty over Tibet. It outlines thegovernment of the Republic of China on superstition in Buddhism, especially inmanaging on superstitious activities which carry out by the name of Buddhism, to acertain extent, purify the social atmosphere, and stabilize the social order.The fourth part of this paper, on the basis of the previous parts, evaluatesobjectively the features of Buddhism policy of the national government, and alsopoints out its shortcomings. First of all, the impact of modern political system, thegovernment of the Republic of China adhere to the basic principles of freedom ofreligion, the separation of church and state; secondly, using religion to maintain itsrule, strengthen the relation to Tibetan Buddhist, safeguard national unity; once again,to promote Buddhism improvement by political means, promote the modernization ofBuddhism; finally, due to internal and external conflicts, it leads to the disadvantageof policy implementation, and the disunity on the management policy of religion.