A Chinese Buddhist Ecological Narrative: From the Pure Land to the “Beautiful Country” of Xi Jinping

Abstract

ABSTRACT The practice of adapting discourse to cultural and political circumstances is a recurring theme in Buddhist history in China. Today, as for all the religious institutions in China, Buddhism must respond to Chinese government ideology, including the official call to improve environmental conditions in the country. The Chinese Buddhist Association takes its discourse from the ecological adaptation or interpretation of Buddhist modernism, especially from “Humanistic Buddhism,” and also incorporates political rhetoric. As Buddhism is one of the most influential and widespread religions in Chinese society, it is possible to find different Buddhist ecological narratives. Nevertheless, current developments of the government with the new constitution shifting interpretations of Chinese socialism are eroding the spiritual aspects of Buddhist ecological discourse.