One hopes this is for real. (It appears in the People’s Daily).
Additionally, if it is a genuine invitation, one hopes that the Buddhist community and leaders in question have the fortitude to function as a true voice of conscience in the relationship. It is a rare religious leader that stays above the heady distractions and ego temptations when sucked into political prominence, and it is the rare political figure that takes interest in religion in ways other than the personal political benefits of the relationship.
China’s top political advisor Jia Qinglin on Wednesday called on the country’s Buddhists to contribute to ethnic unity, social stability and national unification.
Jia Qinglin (front R), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference(CPPCC), shakes hands with Chuan Yin, the newly elected president of the Buddhist Association of China, in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 3, 2010. Jia met with the delegates of the eighth national conference of the Buddhist Association of China in Beijing on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)
Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, made the call when meeting with newly elected leaders of the Buddhist Association of China.
He urged the association to unite and lead Chinese Buddhists to safeguard China’s ethnic unity, social stability and national unification, and work hard to contribute to the all-round construction of a well-off society.
Efforts should be made to cultivate more Buddhist talents and improve Buddhist education, said Jia, also member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.
Jia Qinglin (front R), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference(CPPCC), walks with Chuan Yin (front L), the newly elected president of the Buddhist Association of China, in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 3, 2010. Jia met with the delegates of the eighth national conference of the Buddhist Association of China in Beijing on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)
Chuan Yin, who had headed the Beijing Buddhist Association, was elected as president of the Buddhist Association of China at the organization’s eighth national conference Wednesday, while the 11th Panchen Lama was elected a vice president.
Source: Xinhua