DOCSLIB.ORG

Xi Breathes New Life Into Ancient Pagodas

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Xi Breathes New Life Into Ancient Pagodas 8 PEOPLE Tuesday 27 April 2021 Xi breathes new life into ancient pagodas Yu Hong he renovated Nanxiang Twin Pagodas on Nanxiang Old Street a re open to the public now, as the Trepair project starting in March finished last week. Made of bricks, the pagodas have weathered seriously since the last repair in 1985. Xi Jianzhong, a staffer with the first construction project management team in Shanghai Zhuzong Group Construc- tion Development Co, is the technical director of the renovation project, and he is familiar with pagodas. He took part in the last repair work when he was 29. Over the years, he has grown from an apprentice to a senior repairer with abundant experience in the protection of ancient architecture, gaining renown in the relics protection area. Xi, now 65, was a bricklayer before becoming a restorer of ancient archi- tecture. After the launch of reform Repairing ancient and opening-up in China, Shanghai government paid a lot of attention to relics takes time in restoration and gathered a team of 20 learning. You have to to start an urgent protection project. Xi was selected as one of the members of remember each word the team because of his experience as a bricklayer. that your mentor tells “In the 1980s, the restoration industry you. People may think had limited talent, most of whom were over 70 years old. Under this situation, my job is tedious, but the government gathered 10 of those to me, I enjoy every who were masters at restoration and 10 youngsters to make up the gap, aiming second of it. to develop young talent and inject new energy to this area,” Xi recalled. Xi Jianzhong His first project was the renovation of Director of the Nanxiang Twin the Jade Buddha Temple in Shanghai’s Pagodas renovation project Putuo District, and he has put down his roots in this industry ever since. After that he participated in several projects came from Zhejiang and Jiangsu prov- across Shanghai including the repair inces, so he was reluctant to use any of Longhua Temple in Xuhui District, from other areas such as Hunan and Jing’an Temple in Jing’an District and Jiangxi provinces. Located on Nanxiang Old Street, the Nanxiang Twin Pagodas, made of bricks, have Confucius Temple and Qiuxia Garden in “As the old Chinese saying goes, ‘local seriously weathered since they were last repaired in 1985. — Yu Hong Jiading District. water and soil raise local people.’ So the “Repairing ancient relics takes time clay produced in different areas varies Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in only because of the limited numbers of in learning. You have to remember each from one place to another after being Dujiangyan which was hit severely dur- people interested, but also because of a word your mentor tells you so that you burned,” said Xi. ing the Wenchuan earthquake in 2008. lack of necessary skills. can learn something and grow. If you’re He adheres to the concept of repairing The project cost him more than a year. “To be honest, most graduates have a mindless like watering off a duck’s back, the old structures as they would have In 2012, he was invited to repair sound theoretical basis through books it is a waste of time to work here, as it’s been constructed originally. national-level ancient architecture in- with less practical skills, and some can’t not easy,” said Xi. “What I do is to restore instead of re- cluding the administration bulding, the bear hardships or stand the hard work. He remembers how dedicated his building a structure, so I have to follow We need to make more efforts to culti- mentor was even at the age of 81 when the original materials and, of course, the library, the former residences of Premier vate the new generation and get them he asked two mentees to lift him up local culture. If you just use something Zhou Enlai and Chiang Kai-shek, most involved in the repair of ancient archi- through a 15-meter-high scaffolding at will, it is irresponsible.” of which were originally built during tecture,” Xi said. so he could sit on a platform to inspect In 1999, Xi took part in repair work on the Republic of Ch ina (1912-1949) period Xi is about to start his next project the work and give instructions in per- the Bell and Drum Tower in Yunxiang and on the national cultural heritage list, — renovation of Sijing Old Town in son despite of his old age and in such Temple which is close to the Nanxiang at Wuhan University in Hubei Province, Songjiang District, the oldest town in dangerous conditions. This set a good Twin Pagodas. a task that took seven years. Shanghai. example for Xi. After planning a blueprint, he and his “I’m not boasting about myself. I “The houses are all made of wood with Under the guidance of such a strict team mapped it and created the model think my team can rank first in Shang- tiles on the roof and have suffered great through machines. Then they used hai. There were other companies doing and excellent mentor, Xi worked hard damages. Residents are being required and rapidly developed his skills. a truck to send it to Yixing for firing. projects sometimes, and the comparison with each other was obvious in the eyes to relocate for the renovation project Before the actual work begins, Xi has Every one was excited when seeing the which may take several years,” said Xi. to carry out an onsite inspection and finished product. of the investors,” said Xi. “Once I found the provided renovation designs not “I hope every one will give a thumbs-up draw up plans. Xi assembled his own team in 2006, to the classic beauty after the renovation ideal, not fitting the culture background Four months ago, Xi started to look and the former residences of Zhang Wen- when they return.” for bricks and clay that would be suit- tian and Du Yuesheng were among the of the architecture, I would discuss with able for the Nanxiang Twin Pagodas. The first batch that they renovated. the designers because I have to be re- bricks, tiles and dougong, which is also Some facelift projects take years to sponsible for every detail and the whole called corbel arch, were specially made finish. For example, it took Xi six years project. What a shame if professionals in Jiashan in neighboring Zhejiang Prov- to complete the Jade Buddha Temple and come to visit and find the renovated ince during the first renovation, but he four years for the Confucius Temple (in- parts are wrong according to history found that the kiln that had been used cluding Qiuxia Garden). and original style.” before was shut down. In fact, all the “People may think my job is tedious, Known for his serious attitude to bet- kilns had been removed for env iron men- but to me, I enjoy every second of it,” ter protect rel ics a nd heritage, X i has won tal reasons. said Xi. many reputations and recognitions. To find the same clay, he finally found His knowledge and expertise are in Since the documentary “Masters in a kiln in Yixing in Jiangsu that can great demand from his team members, Forbidden City” triggered a huge inter- customize the bricks and accessories and his zeal has bolstered the team’s est in ancient relics in 2016, many people that match the unique materials of the reputation. have become fascinated with the past. The detail of one of the pagodas before pagodas. Xi was assigned by the company to However, recruiting fresh blood in archi- renovation shows that it has weathered As for the clay, the one used before help rebuild the Huangdi Memorial tectural protection is still a problem, not seriously. — Chen Chen.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Late Northern Dynasties Buddhist Statues at Qingzhou and the Qingzhou Style
    The Late Northern Dynasties Buddhist Statues at Qingzhou and the Qingzhou Style Liu Fengjun Keywords: late Northern Dynasties Qingzhou area Buddhist statues Qingzhou style In recent years fragmentary Buddhist statues have been Northern Qi period. (3) In the winter of 1979, 40 small frequently unearthed in large numbers in Qingzhou 青州 and large fragmentary statues and some lotus socles were and the surrounding area, including Boxing 博兴, discovered at the Xingguo Temple 兴国寺 site in Gaoqing 高青, Wudi 无棣, Linqu 临朐, Zhucheng 诸 Qingzhou, mainly produced between the end of North- 城, and Qingdao 青岛. Especially notable are the large ern Wei and Northern Qi period. There were also two quantities of statues at the site of the Longxing Temple Buddha head sculptures of the Sui and Tang periods. (4) 龙兴寺 at Qingzhou. The discovery of these statues drew In the 1970s, seven stone statues were discovered at great attention from academic circles. The significance He’an 何庵 Village, Wudi County. Four of them bear of these statues is manifold. I merely intend to under take Northern Qi dates. (5) In November 1987, one single a tentative study of the causes and date of the destruction round Bodhisattva stone sculpture of the Eastern Wei of the Buddhist statues and of the artistic features of the period and one round Buddhist stone sculpture of the Qingzhou style statues. Northern Qi period were discovered on the South Road of Qingzhou. Both works were painted colorfully and I. Fragmentary Buddhist Statues of the Late partly gilt. They were preserved intact and remained Northern Dynasties Unearthed in the Qingzhou Area colorful.
    [Show full text]
  • Chinese Extravaganza Package Starts From* 173,953
    Chinese Extravaganza Package starts from* 173,953 11 Nights / 12 Days - Summer Dear customer, Greetings from ThomasCook.in!! Thank you for giving us the opportunity to let us plan and arrange your forthcoming holiday. Since more than 120 years, it has been our constant endeavour to delight our clients with the packages which are designed to best suit their needs. We, at Thomascook, are constantly striving to serve the best experience from all around the world. It’s our vision to not just serve you a holiday but serve you an experience of lifetime. We hope you enjoy this holiday specially crafted for your vacation. Tour Inclusions Flights Included* Places Covered 3 Nights 1 Night 1 Night 3 Nights 3 Nights Beijing Luoyang Xian Yangtze Shanghai River Cruise www.thomascook.in Daywise Itinerary Welcome to China - "The land of dragons and emperors". Arrive in Beijing, the Capital City of China! Welcome to China - "The land of dragons and emperors". On arrival at airport in Beijing, you will be greeted by the Thomas Cook Tour Day 1 Manager/local representative outside the baggage hall area. Proceed to the hotel and Check in (check in time after 15.00 hrs). Tonight enjoy a delicious Indian dinner at a local Indian restaurant. Today after Breakfast, visit the Jade Factory (Compulsory Government Stop). Later we proceed towards the UNESCO World heritage site, The Ming tombs the location of 13 imperial tombs or burial site chosen for its Feng-Shui in the arc-shaped valley at the foot of Jundu Mountains. Later experience local Chinese lunch.
    [Show full text]
  • Copyrighted Material
    INDEX Aodayixike Qingzhensi Baisha, 683–684 Abacus Museum (Linhai), (Ordaisnki Mosque; Baishui Tai (White Water 507 Kashgar), 334 Terraces), 692–693 Abakh Hoja Mosque (Xiang- Aolinpike Gongyuan (Olym- Baita (Chowan), 775 fei Mu; Kashgar), 333 pic Park; Beijing), 133–134 Bai Ta (White Dagoba) Abercrombie & Kent, 70 Apricot Altar (Xing Tan; Beijing, 134 Academic Travel Abroad, 67 Qufu), 380 Yangzhou, 414 Access America, 51 Aqua Spirit (Hong Kong), 601 Baiyang Gou (White Poplar Accommodations, 75–77 Arch Angel Antiques (Hong Gully), 325 best, 10–11 Kong), 596 Baiyun Guan (White Cloud Acrobatics Architecture, 27–29 Temple; Beijing), 132 Beijing, 144–145 Area and country codes, 806 Bama, 10, 632–638 Guilin, 622 The arts, 25–27 Bama Chang Shou Bo Wu Shanghai, 478 ATMs (automated teller Guan (Longevity Museum), Adventure and Wellness machines), 60, 74 634 Trips, 68 Bamboo Museum and Adventure Center, 70 Gardens (Anji), 491 AIDS, 63 ack Lakes, The (Shicha Hai; Bamboo Temple (Qiongzhu Air pollution, 31 B Beijing), 91 Si; Kunming), 658 Air travel, 51–54 accommodations, 106–108 Bangchui Dao (Dalian), 190 Aitiga’er Qingzhen Si (Idkah bars, 147 Banpo Bowuguan (Banpo Mosque; Kashgar), 333 restaurants, 117–120 Neolithic Village; Xi’an), Ali (Shiquan He), 331 walking tour, 137–140 279 Alien Travel Permit (ATP), 780 Ba Da Guan (Eight Passes; Baoding Shan (Dazu), 727, Altitude sickness, 63, 761 Qingdao), 389 728 Amchog (A’muquhu), 297 Bagua Ting (Pavilion of the Baofeng Hu (Baofeng Lake), American Express, emergency Eight Trigrams; Chengdu), 754 check
    [Show full text]
  • Shanghai, China Overview Introduction
    Shanghai, China Overview Introduction The name Shanghai still conjures images of romance, mystery and adventure, but for decades it was an austere backwater. After the success of Mao Zedong's communist revolution in 1949, the authorities clamped down hard on Shanghai, castigating China's second city for its prewar status as a playground of gangsters and colonial adventurers. And so it was. In its heyday, the 1920s and '30s, cosmopolitan Shanghai was a dynamic melting pot for people, ideas and money from all over the planet. Business boomed, fortunes were made, and everything seemed possible. It was a time of breakneck industrial progress, swaggering confidence and smoky jazz venues. Thanks to economic reforms implemented in the 1980s by Deng Xiaoping, Shanghai's commercial potential has reemerged and is flourishing again. Stand today on the historic Bund and look across the Huangpu River. The soaring 1,614-ft/492-m Shanghai World Financial Center tower looms over the ambitious skyline of the Pudong financial district. Alongside it are other key landmarks: the glittering, 88- story Jinmao Building; the rocket-shaped Oriental Pearl TV Tower; and the Shanghai Stock Exchange. The 128-story Shanghai Tower is the tallest building in China (and, after the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the second-tallest in the world). Glass-and-steel skyscrapers reach for the clouds, Mercedes sedans cruise the neon-lit streets, luxury- brand boutiques stock all the stylish trappings available in New York, and the restaurant, bar and clubbing scene pulsates with an energy all its own. Perhaps more than any other city in Asia, Shanghai has the confidence and sheer determination to forge a glittering future as one of the world's most important commercial centers.
    [Show full text]
  • True Model of a Natural Chan Practitioner
    NCOUNTERS with Master E Ⅹ Sheng Yen Encounters with Master Sheng Yen Ⅹ Pocket Guides to Buddhist Wisdom E-26 Publisher: Dharma Drum Mountain Culture and Educational Foundation 5F., No. 186, Gongguan Rd., Beitou District Taipei City 112-44, Taiwan Tel: 886-2-2893-4646 Fax: 886-2-2896-0731 www.ddm.org.tw Speakers: Du Zhengmin, Ding Min, Shan Te-hsing Editorial & Production: Cultural Center, Dharma Drum Mountain Revision: International Translation Office ISBN: 978-986-96684-4-6 1st Edition: March 2019 Preface o share with the public the thoughts and life experiences Tof Dharma Drum Mountain founder Master Sheng Yen (also known as Shifu, meaning “Master”), the Sheng Yen Education Foundation embarked on a series of talks beginning in September of 2009. Fifty-two talks were given at the Sheng Yen Lecture Hall (located in the official residence where Master Sheng Yen lived in his final years). The talks were titled A Living Example, Countless Teachings— Encounters with Master Sheng Yen and we invited all his monastic and lay disciples to share with us their stories about Shifu, how he taught them through his living example and words. Listening to these speakers’ personal accounts of the interactions between teacher and student allowed the audience to commemorate Master Sheng Yen’s journey, and once again hear his gracious teachings. The talks include stories of Master Sheng Yen’s everyday life, how he would give detailed guidance to his disciples regarding their speech and actions. There are also accounts of his travels to share the Buddhadharma locally and overseas, reaching out to the public, and teaching them skillfully and flexibly based on the existing circumstances.
    [Show full text]
  • American Buddhists: Enlightenment and Encounter
    CHAPTER FO U R American Buddhists: Enlightenment and Encounter ★ he Buddha’s Birthday is celebrated for weeks on end in Los Angeles. TMore than three hundred Buddhist temples sit in this great city fac- ing the Pacific, and every weekend for most of the month of May the Buddha’s Birthday is observed somewhere, by some group—the Viet- namese at a community college in Orange County, the Japanese at their temples in central Los Angeles, the pan-Buddhist Sangha Council at a Korean temple in downtown L.A. My introduction to the Buddha’s Birthday observance was at Hsi Lai Temple in Hacienda Heights, just east of Los Angeles. It is said to be the largest Buddhist temple in the Western hemisphere, built by Chinese Buddhists hailing originally from Taiwan and advocating a progressive Humanistic Buddhism dedicated to the pos- itive transformation of the world. In an upscale Los Angeles suburb with its malls, doughnut shops, and gas stations, I was about to pull over and ask for directions when the road curved up a hill, and suddenly there it was— an opulent red and gold cluster of sloping tile rooftops like a radiant vision from another world, completely dominating the vista. The ornamental gateway read “International Buddhist Progress Society,” the name under which the temple is incorporated, and I gazed up in amazement. This was in 1991, and I had never seen anything like it in America. The entrance took me first into the Bodhisattva Hall of gilded images and rich lacquerwork, where five of the great bodhisattvas of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition receive the prayers of the faithful.
    [Show full text]
  • Ancient China Travel Journal Day 1
    Ancient China Travel Journal Day 1 Last night we landed in Shanghai. This 2000-year-old city is in the northeastern part of China. It is actually considered one of the youngest cities in the country! It is very hot here now, 105 degrees. In the winter, though, the weather is near freezing, and sometimes it even snows. Today I learned so much about China! We visited one of Shanghai’s most famous temples. It is called the Jade Buddha Temple. A temple is a religious building, like a church. The Jade Buddha Temple is used by people who practice Buddhism. Buddhism is the largest religion in China, but not the oldest. Taoism (dow-ism) is the oldest. The temple was built in 1918. However, the two jade Buddhas the temple was named after were brought here from Myanmar in 1882. Jade is the most popular stone in China. It is green and smooth, and when you hold it in your hand, it is cool. In street markets, you can find many things made out of jade, such as jewelry, statues, and chops. Chops are stamps that have a person’s signature1 on them. Today, I bought a beautiful necklace made out of jade. It had a tiger carved on it. I got it because I was born in 1998, the year of the tiger. The tiger is one of the 12 animals that go with the 12-year Chinese calendar. I had to laugh because my mom found out she was born in the year of the rat! At the market, I also bought a pink silk shirt.
    [Show full text]
  • Buddhist Print Culture in Early Republican China Gregory Adam Scott Submitted in Partial Fulfillment Of
    Conversion by the Book: Buddhist Print Culture in Early Republican China Gregory Adam Scott Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY 2013 © 2013 Gregory Adam Scott All Rights Reserved This work may be used under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. For more information about that license, see http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/. For other uses, please contact the author. ABSTRACT Conversion by the Book: Buddhist Print Culture in Early Republican China 經典佛化: 民國初期佛教出版文化 Gregory Adam Scott 史瑞戈 In this dissertation I argue that print culture acted as a catalyst for change among Buddhists in modern China. Through examining major publication institutions, publishing projects, and their managers and contributors from the late nineteenth century to the 1920s, I show that the expansion of the scope and variety of printed works, as well as new the social structures surrounding publishing, substantially impacted the activity of Chinese Buddhists. In doing so I hope to contribute to ongoing discussions of the ‘revival’ of Chinese Buddhism in the modern period, and demonstrate that publishing, propelled by new print technologies and new forms of social organization, was a key field of interaction and communication for religious actors during this era, one that helped make possible the introduction and adoption of new forms of religious thought and practice. 本論文的論點是出版文化在近代中國佛教人物之中,扮演了變化觸媒的角色. 通過研究從十 九世紀末到二十世紀二十年代的主要的出版機構, 種類, 及其主辦人物與提供貢獻者, 論文 說明佛教印刷的多元化 以及範圍的大量擴展, 再加上跟出版有關的社會結構, 對中國佛教 人物的活動都發生了顯著的影響. 此研究顯示在被新印刷技術與新形式的社會結構的推進 下的出版事業, 為該時代的宗教人物展開一種新的相互連結與構通的場域, 因而使新的宗教 思想與實踐的引入成為可能. 此論文試圖對現行關於近代中國佛教的所謂'復興'的討論提出 貢獻. Table of Contents List of Figures and Tables iii Acknowledgements v Abbreviations and Conventions ix Works Cited by Abbreviation x Maps of Principle Locations xi Introduction Print Culture and Religion in Modern China 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Records of the Transmission of the Lamp (Jingde Chuadeng
    The Hokun Trust is pleased to support the fifth volume of a complete translation of this classic of Chan (Zen) Buddhism by Randolph S. Whitfield. The Records of the Transmission of the Lamp is a religious classic of the first importance for the practice and study of Zen which it is hoped will appeal both to students of Buddhism and to a wider public interested in religion as a whole. Contents Foreword by Albert Welter Preface Acknowledgements Introduction Appendix to the Introduction Abbreviations Book Eighteen Book Nineteen Book Twenty Book Twenty-one Finding List Bibliography Index Foreword The translation of the Jingde chuandeng lu (Jingde era Record of the Transmission of the Lamp) is a major accomplishment. Many have reveled in the wonders of this text. It has inspired countless numbers of East Asians, especially in China, Japan and Korea, where Chan inspired traditions – Chan, Zen, and Son – have taken root and flourished for many centuries. Indeed, the influence has been so profound and pervasive it is hard to imagine Japanese and Korean cultures without it. In the twentieth century, Western audiences also became enthralled with stories of illustrious Zen masters, many of which are rooted in the Jingde chuandeng lu. I remember meeting Alan Ginsburg, intrepid Beat poet and inveterate Buddhist aspirant, in Shanghai in 1985. He had been invited as part of a literary cultural exchange between China and the U. S., to perform a series of lectures for students at Fudan University, where I was a visiting student. Eager to meet people who he could discuss Chinese Buddhism with, I found myself ushered into his company to converse on the subject.
    [Show full text]
  • Everything About Shanghai
    2007 SHANGHAI BASIC FACTS Compiled by: Shanghai Municipal Information Office Shanghai Municipal Statistics Bureau Published by: China Intercontinental Press C ontents 1-History of Shanghai 5-Geographic Location and Natural Conditions 11-Population and Employment 17-Comprehensive Economic Strength 23-Economic Structure 27-Rural Economy 31-Modern Industry 35-The Tertiary Industry 45-Modern Information Industry The City Emblem 51-Urban Construction The City Flower 65-Opening to the Outside World Editorial Board 71-Pudong Development Editorial Staff 79-Urban Life 85-Science and Education 91-Social Undertakings 107-Scenes and Tourist Sites 123-Future Objectives 129-Main Websites in Shanghai The City Emblem Design of the city emblem of Shanghai was approved by the Standing Committee of the Shanghai Municipal People's Congress in 1990. The triangle emblem consists of graphics of a white magnolia flower, a large junk and a propeller. The propeller symbolizes the continuous advancement of the city; the large junk, one of the oldest vessels plying the Shanghai harbor, represents the long history of the port; and the large junk is set against a background of a white magnolia flower blossoming in the early spring, forecasting a bright future of the city. Back to >> C ontents The City Flower In 1986, the Standing Committee of the Shanghai Municipal People's Congress passed a resolution to adopt the white magnolia as the city flower. White magnolia is among the few spring heralding flowers in the Shanghai area. It is in full blossom in the early spring and before the Clear and Bright Festival, which usually falls on April 5 every year.
    [Show full text]
  • SEMESTER at SEA COURSE SYLLABUS University of Virginia, Academic Sponsor
    SEMESTER AT SEA COURSE SYLLABUS University of Virginia, Academic Sponsor Voyage: Spring 2016 Discipline: English Literature ENGN 4559-101: World Prayer Division: Upper Faculty Name: Elizabeth Fowler Credit Hours: 3; Contact Hours: 38 Pre-requisites: Curiosity and respect for practices and beliefs that are quite different than yours will be essential. Experience writing English prose with confidence, an ability to engage with poetry, and an interest in a scholarly approach to devotional writings are not required, but will be very helpful. COURSE DESCRIPTION “The soul in paraphrase, heart in pilgrimage . The milky way, the bird of Paradise Church-bells beyond the stars heard, the soul’s blood, The land of spices, something understood.” -- George Herbert’s definition of prayer Around the globe, billions of prayers rise up everyday from the world’s peoples; they are “in every language spoken,” as Paul Simon sings about prayer in hard times. Prayers make up a large part of the literary heritage of the world; they are poems that are used -- both everyday and at times of great grief or joy -- in the most intimate lives of real people. Because they come from deep within each culture, they are a direct route to its heart. And the most astonishing built places in every city are found when you ask, as we will, what pilgrimage shrines, altars, candles, temples, beads, mosques, incense, offerings, cathedrals, and synagogues house and shape the act of prayer? Unlike money or sex, prayers are something many people are very willing to talk about; this class opens conversations everywhere it goes.
    [Show full text]
  • Buddhist Approaches to Cultural Ecology: a Case Study of Shanghai Jade Buddha Temple
    Buddhist Approaches to Cultural Ecology: A Case Study of Shanghai Jade Buddha Temple Ven. Ti Ting Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai,China Abstract Relatively speaking, cultural ecology in the Buddhist circle is a new area of study. This article, taking Shanghai Jade Buddha Temple (JBT) as a case, delineates the cultural changes in JBT through three areas: 1) JBT adapts to the socialist society; 2) JBT devotes to community services, and 3) JBT cares about the living planet. Through the analysis of these areas, it is found that Buddhists’ practices and works in JBT have been greatly changed under the background of modern society, and temple in metropolis. In the view of cultural ecology study, this “change” or “adaptation” as some researchers called, demonstrates the cultural process that Buddhism is being reproduced within the given environment of Shanghai regional culture. Keywords: Buddhism, Jade Buddha Temple, culture, cultural ecology, adaptation Introduction To review the historical development of China, one might decisively gain a notion that Buddhism is an indispensable footstone of the Chinese culture. Fang1 in his article “Several Questions on the Relationship between Contemporary Buddhism and Cultural Prosperity,” states that Chinese Buddhism is an important part of Chinese Classics. As the first religious culture spread to Shanghai2, Shanghai Buddhist circle has long been devoting itself to the development of cultural ecology. Zhuang (2013) reports that in order to engage with the culture of metropolitan city, scholarly discussions and cultural exchanges were frequently held by Shanghai Buddhists, given the background of Republican era that Buddhist presses, scholars, temples, and many Buddhist natured agencies and organizations boosted in the city.
    [Show full text]