Commercialized Buddhism in modern China Research Paper

Commercialized Buddhism in modern China - Research Paper Example Shaolin temples are ideal examples of commercialized Buddhism in modern China because of how they apply business values and models to their management philosophy and various monastery and outside activities. Shaolin Temple, in Songshan Mountain, Henan Province, is the oldest and most important of all Buddhist temples, though there are now 10 Shaolin temples in China. In this paper, â€Å"Shaolin Temple† refers to the oldest temple, while Shaolin temples refer to all temples. It analyzes how the commercialization of Buddhism in China affects Buddhism’s image, principles, and practices. Buddhism’s modern acculturation process, primarily through the commercial management of Shaolin temples in Chinas, paradoxically extends and damages its identity because of the growing importance of capitalism in its mindset and the increasing centrality of profits and political interests as its ends, although the same capitalistic mindset does allow for it to exploit modern devices for its goal of educating the public about Buddhism and Shaolin cultures. Shaolin temples are the houses of worship for Buddhists that have become thriving business communities too. The management of Shaolin temples still occurs through abbots. Abbots nowadays work with commercial interests in mind. Ming Xu describes how abbots earn profits through absorbing the capitalism model in the running of their temples. For instance, temples charge for admission to pay for monastery expanses and for supporting its various activities that spread Shaolin and Buddhism cultures all over the world (Xu). This is part of the many money-making efforts of temples, which abbots justify as necessary to the spreading of Buddhism because Buddhism cannot be taught without having food and resources for its teachers and students. Furthermore, Shaolin Temple also actively organizes Shaolin festivals to promote Buddhism. It is now