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University of Hawai'i Press Establishing a Pure Land on Earth The Foguang Buddhist Perspective on Modernization and Globalization by Stuart Chandler
With more than 150 temples in thirty countries, Foguangshan has developed over the last thirty-five years into one of the world's largest and most influential Chinese Buddhist movements. Each year millions of devotees participate in the ceremonies, educational programs, and social service projects organized by the disciples of Master Xingyun - a religious leader known not only for his charisma and energy, but also for his close ties to Taiwan's power elite, his positive attitude toward big business, and his involvement in both national and international politics. The result of two years of fieldwork in Foguangshan temples in Taiwan, the U.S., Australia, and South Africa, this volume is an unprecedented examination of the inner workings of a dynamic and innovative religious movement. Based on direct observations, private interviews, and careful textual and historical analysis, Stuart Chandler looks at the challenges faced by Master Xingyun and his followers as they try to adhere to traditional practices and values while tapping into the advantages afforded by modern, global society.show more