Buddhism and Patriotism

Abstract

The KMT sought to foster one value in particular—that of patriotism, or loyalty to the Republic of China. In this context, the elite Buddhists covered in this chapter presented Buddhism as patriotic, and aligned with the “modern” Chinese values promoted in the post-war context. On the other hand, they presented Christianity as antithetical to these. Such a stance painted Christianity as inherently unpatriotic, and therefore discordant with the KMT’s socio-political vision. Interfaith competition thus allowed these Buddhists to craft, and express, a politically acceptable identity. The chapter examines these issues through the writings of two Buddhist figures: Zhuyun and Shengyan (then writing as “The General who Awakens the World”), and a Christian pastor, Wu Enpu.