H
Hermes
Guest
just curious.....
Nick the Pilot
Well-Known Member
Hermes,
Theosophy is practically unheard of in China. I have searched around for Theosophists in China but I haven't found any. I am familiar with Theosophical web sites from various countries, but I have never seen anything on the web from anyone in China.
The vast majority of people in Communist China have no religion. Chairman Mao was very successfull in wiping out geat chunks of religion from the society. (Even the present-day Chinese government has admitted that the people need more religion -- but of course they won't admit that Mao had anything to do with it.)
The Communists allow 'approved' religions in China, but they vigorously stamp out any religious activity that is not 'approved'. Theosophy is not 'approved'.
There is even a fake, communist-approved 'Dalai lama' in China, who is a total farce.
Theosophy is practically unheard of in China. I have searched around for Theosophists in China but I haven't found any. I am familiar with Theosophical web sites from various countries, but I have never seen anything on the web from anyone in China.
The vast majority of people in Communist China have no religion. Chairman Mao was very successfull in wiping out geat chunks of religion from the society. (Even the present-day Chinese government has admitted that the people need more religion -- but of course they won't admit that Mao had anything to do with it.)
The Communists allow 'approved' religions in China, but they vigorously stamp out any religious activity that is not 'approved'. Theosophy is not 'approved'.
There is even a fake, communist-approved 'Dalai lama' in China, who is a total farce.
H
Hermes
Guest
I guess if the Party cannot make any money from it - then they disallow it...
Nick the Pilot
Well-Known Member
It's not money, it's social control. The Party has absolute control over all aspects of Mainland Chinese society.
So what are the majority mainland chinese beliefs? It cant be that they dont believe anything. State can only kill practice. AFAIK "Tao-ism" is more of a western construct (I might be wrong on that).
Also, Taoism and Tantric Buddhism are big business in the west, and in my experience much powerful than Hatha/Raja Yoga (Indian spiritual export), why havent chinese realized their "economic" value?
Also, Taoism and Tantric Buddhism are big business in the west, and in my experience much powerful than Hatha/Raja Yoga (Indian spiritual export), why havent chinese realized their "economic" value?
Nick the Pilot
Well-Known Member
By far, the most common form of religion in China is Pureland Buddhism -- a form of Buddhism that is very similar to Christianity. All you have to do is perform a particular religious ritual, and you are 'guaranteed' a place in Heaven.
By the way, the fastest growing form of religion in China is Christianity, which, as I say, is very similar to the Pureland Buddhism that is already popular here, for all the same reasons.
Because of the recent quick rise of Christianity in China, the communist authorities have begun clamping down on Christian churches, tearing down outdoor crosses, forbidding members of the communist party to join christian churches, re-writing what is to be taught in Chinese seminaries in China, etc.
By the way, the fastest growing form of religion in China is Christianity, which, as I say, is very similar to the Pureland Buddhism that is already popular here, for all the same reasons.
Because of the recent quick rise of Christianity in China, the communist authorities have begun clamping down on Christian churches, tearing down outdoor crosses, forbidding members of the communist party to join christian churches, re-writing what is to be taught in Chinese seminaries in China, etc.
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How would you define Mahayana as a category. I understand theravada and vajrayana beliefs and practices, but mahayana is still very vague to me. If its all just rituals for heaven, then how is it even considered Buddhism.
What exactly is taoism, in reality, rather than from western eyes. I know of energy practices, mind training (similar to buddhism), Shangching, Quanzhen etc. Is it a proper organised religion? Or does every village/mountain has its own beliefs/practices that were labelled Taoism by europeans.
How much prevalent is ancestor worship? Does it overlap with taoism? or exclusive? Any regional/national gods/godesss.
What exactly is taoism, in reality, rather than from western eyes. I know of energy practices, mind training (similar to buddhism), Shangching, Quanzhen etc. Is it a proper organised religion? Or does every village/mountain has its own beliefs/practices that were labelled Taoism by europeans.
How much prevalent is ancestor worship? Does it overlap with taoism? or exclusive? Any regional/national gods/godesss.
And how is christianity going in mainland? Do people just replace buddha/nirvana for jesus/heaven. How and why do han people convert that easily? It took turks a thousand years to get 30% of SouthAsians converted to Islam. Why are chinese converting so fast?
Nicholas Weeks
Bodhicitta
A friend keeps tabs on Mahayana in China and says that because of the botheration of Xtianity, Chinese forms of Mahayana are being encouraged. This takes the form of publishing Mahayana texts and allowing some temples and Shr-fus to operate and teach.
I guess the theory is that the Chi-coms can more easily control a native religion than any put forth by the Western barbarians.
I guess the theory is that the Chi-coms can more easily control a native religion than any put forth by the Western barbarians.