Taiwan Today

This past spring, the Taipei city government met with unexpected opposition when it ordered the removal of a twenty-foot-tall statue of Kuanyin, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy, in order to make way for construc­tion of a new park. Leaders of the island’s Buddhist community joined forces to pro­test the decision. Shih Chao-hui, a Bud­dhist nun known for her social activism, staged a dramatic hunger strike at the site, and masters from several temples showed up to support a weeklong sit-in of nearly one hundred disciples. They got their message across in front-page headlines and on the nightly news, and eventually convinced the city to leave the statue in place.

The action not only brought a surge of publicity to the Buddhist community, but also rekindled a controversy over the role monks and nuns should assume in society. Some people think—in line with long-held stereotypes­—that they belong in secluded mon­asteries, untouched and untainted by worldly matters. But in recent years, many others have come to believe that Buddhism should be practiced in the heart of the community.

Whatever the pros and cons, “worldly Buddhism” is already well-en­trenched in Taiwan. Although the statue debate attracted extensive media atten­tion, it was but a small example of the in­creasingly prominent and dynamic role that Buddhists are playing in today’s so­ciety. Meditation and the chanting of sutras are still part of the religion, but they are taking a back seat to the doctrine of “good deeds.” The road to nirvana is now paved with charity programs, disaster re­lief, and environmental cleanup projects. It is lined with hospitals, schools, and even publishing companies. And along the way, Buddhists have attracted mil­lions of dollars in donations and have built up the ranks of the religion to nearly one-fourth of the island’s population. In short, Buddhism has become a potent force—one that cannot be ignored.

Politicians have been quick to recog­nize the religion’s new standing. Not only did the city agree to leave the Goddess of Mercy statue untouched, but candidates for this year’s mayoral elections in Taipei and Kaohsiung have made an effort to be seen at one or another Buddhist function. In fact, government leaders at all levels have recognized the value of a photo op­portunity with a prominent monk or nun. Some politicians have even consulted Buddhist masters for advice. Interior Min­ister Wu Po-hsiung, for one, announced earlier this year that he had decided to pull out of the governor’s race after consulting with Master Hsing-yun, the charismatic leader of the popular Fokuangshan temple in southern Taiwan.

Likewise, businesspeople are also recognizing the appeal of having ties with Buddhist organizations. While some are content to display a picture of themselves with a renowned master, oth­ers have become volunteers or commit­tee members with Buddhist charity foundations. Some corporations are get­ting involved on an even broader scale. The Chinatrust Bank, for example, began issuing a Lotus credit card last year, for which it donates a small percentage of the price of each purchase to the Bud­dhist Tzu Chi Foundation.

As Buddhism continues on its worldly course, its ties with government and business are bound to multiply. And these ties will become sources of both temptation and reward. The temptations, or dangers, are that Buddhist groups could become so closely associated with certain politicians or corporations that these relationships become a major con­sideration in their decision-making. They could also end up alienating those believers with opposing political or commercial affiliations. If the longtime prac­tice of politicians setting up campaign headquarters at neighborhood Taoist and folk temples, for example, were to spill over into similar connections with Bud­dhist foundations, it could compromise the efforts of these groups to have a far-­reaching, egalitarian impact on society. And permitting those with close links to major corporations to get highly in­volved in organizational affairs could lead to disruptive power struggles within Buddhist foundations.

But the high regard that many politi­cians and businesspeople have for Bud­dhist organizations can also be an advantage—not only for the organiza­tions themselves but, ultimately, for soci­ety as a whole. Buddhist foundations have become an important force in helping to establish the value of community involvement and volunteerism. While these are fairly new concepts in Taiwan’s family-oriented Chi­nese culture, they are becoming increasingly vital for overcoming modern social problems, includ­ing the need for welfare and medical aid for the poor, for fighting drug abuse and child prostitution, and cleaning up the environment.

Buddhist organizations are in an ex­cellent position to promote a stronger sense of public commitment to commu­nity service. By establishing a broad base of influence with no limitations based on political views or business affiliation, they will be able to inspire and mobilize grassroots volunteers as well as garner the political leverage and financial support that is usually needed to accom­plish important projects. But realizing this potential will require a vigilant watch against temptation. Buddhist groups must ensure that grassroots needs are not ignored or sacrificed in response to political or commercial interests. With the proper balance, worldly Buddhism can become an increasingly important asset in making Taiwan a better place to live.