The "Party Branch Established in the Wat": Social cooperation between local authorities and religion in the Theravada Buddhist community of South-west China
The Communist Party of China enhanced its local presence by establishing a branch in the Theravada Buddhist wat in Dehong. Such direct political engagement in a religious venue, however, does not lead to grievances from the locals. This article finds that if the purely ideological differences can be...
Main Author: | |
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Format: | Electronic Article |
Language: | English |
Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
Journals Online & Print: | |
Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
Published: |
NUS Press
2023
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In: |
China
Year: 2023, Volume: 21, Issue: 1, Pages: 45-69 |
Further subjects: | B
Buddhism
B State B China B Buddhist B Religious organization B Religious policy |
Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
Summary: | The Communist Party of China enhanced its local presence by establishing a branch in the Theravada Buddhist wat in Dehong. Such direct political engagement in a religious venue, however, does not lead to grievances from the locals. This article finds that if the purely ideological differences can be well managed at the local level, the religion and the Party can cooperate with each other and maintain a harmonious relationship. This article reflects on the state–religion antagonism paradigm and argues that an alternative paradigm—an interests-based paradigm—should be prioritised when studying relations between the state and religion in China. (China/GIGA) |
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ISSN: | 0219-8614 |
Contains: | Enthalten in: China
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