Religion and Chinese Society Field Study to Jade Buddha Temple
2015/4/10 10:15:12
As part of expanding students understanding of Chinese society in the context of China’s rich religious tradition Dr. Huang Ping led a small field study group to one of Shanghai’s most famous religious institutions, the Jade Buddha Temple on April 9th.
In order to understand the complex interaction between religion and society in China, students first built a strong understanding of the religions of China in the classroom though lectures, reading, and discussion. But, in order to have a strong understanding of the material firsthand experience is needed.
Dr. Huang, an expert in the role of Chinese religion in international relations, explained to students the significance of religious iconography and symbolism of parts of the temple with the assistance of a Master Monk from the temple.
Located in the northern part of the city, the Mahayana temple is more than a century old. The temple gets its namesake from two large jade statues of the Buddha donated from Burma by a Chinese monk living overseas in the late 19th century. Dr. Huang and the Master Monk led the group of students through the temple grounds explaining the significance of each building and statute throughout the temple. At the same time students were able to ask critical questions of both Dr. Huang and the monk, about the structure and history of the temple and Buddhist cosmology and theology. Because of this unique opportunity, students were able to get an inside look and perspective on temple life from both the viewpoint of practitioners and monks.
The field study allowed the students to experience modern Buddhism in China in the field, the firsthand experience of temple life and practice gave them a more complete understanding of Chinese religious life and society.