In an interview on March 10, Master Chonghua, member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), vice-chairman of Yunnan Buddhist Association and abbot of Chongsheng Temple in Dali, said that China's religious work has achieved remarkable results in the past five years, and will certainly bring the spirit of the NPC and CPPCC sessions to the people and villagers in Yunnan, and welcome Hong Kong and Macao compatriots to visit colorful Yunnan and experience different cultures and customs.
Master Chonghua said that this year's two sessions are a new beginning to study and implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress. This year's work report of the government and the work report of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC mentioned the achievements made in China's ethnic and religious work in the past five years. As a Buddhist, Master Chonghua believes that especially in the past five years, remarkable achievements have been made in the commercialization of Buddhism and Taoism, the establishment of rules and regulations, the construction of groups and the training of talents, and the Buddhist world has taken on a new look.
He also stressed that the development of Buddhism should adapt to and blend into the times. Buddhism has been spread to China for more than 2000 years since the Han Dynasty. It can be said that Buddhism has been integrated into the traditional Chinese culture. Now is a new era. Buddhism should adapt to the new era and the socialist society.
As for the direction of strengthening the localization of religion in China, Master Chonghua believed that it was actually to adapt to the socialist society and the process of the new era. He said, "In what ways can we do a good job in the localization of Buddhism in China? I think we should do a good job in such aspects as' five identifications', the practice of socialist core values, and the building of a strong sense of the Chinese national community. The new era has new requirements, and we will certainly be able to integrate into the socialist core values in the new era and adapt to the new era of socialist society."
Master Chonghua has deep feelings for his hometown Yunnan. He said that Yunnan is a place of multi-ethnic gathering and multi religious co prosperity, involving 26 different ethnic groups. The five major religions of Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, and Catholicism are complete, and the three major language families of Buddhism, Chinese, Tibetan, and Pali are sufficient. This is the unique cultural heritage of Yunnan.
"Yunnan has beautiful mountains and rivers, and pleasant climate. The weather is often like February and March, and flowers and twigs are always in spring. Kunming has the reputation of Spring City and beautiful Dianchi Lake. There is a thousand year old temple Chongsheng Temple in Dali, a primitive southern Buddhism in Xishuangbanna, and a magical Yulong Snow Mountain in Lijiang." He sincerely welcomes Hong Kong and Macao compatriots to visit Yunnan and look for the historical precipitation of Yunnan, Feel the different culture and customs in Yunnan. (By Shi Liwei)
