Re-Education as Conversion: “Thought Reform” of Buddhists on Mount Jiuhua in the People’s Republic of China, 1949–1966

The socialist transformation of Chinese Buddhism began with socialist re-education aimed at ideologically converting the clergy into citizens of the PRC. This study focuses on the process that took place on Mount Jiuhua, a renowned Buddhist mountain. It investigates the formats, procedures, and impa...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Chinese religions 2024-12, Vol.52 (2), p.229-259
Main Author: Ouyang, Nan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agricultural production
Archives & records
Buddhism
Buddhists
Clergy
Ideology
Investigations
Leadership
Patriotism
Pilgrims
Political campaigns
Political movements
Political power
Propaganda
Religion
Religious beliefs
Religious conversion
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Summary:The socialist transformation of Chinese Buddhism began with socialist re-education aimed at ideologically converting the clergy into citizens of the PRC. This study focuses on the process that took place on Mount Jiuhua, a renowned Buddhist mountain. It investigates the formats, procedures, and impact of re-education on the clergy, primarily based on archival sources. It argues that local cadres used education to compel clerics to display loyalty to the CCP and the regime and endorse the policy on “freedom of religious belief.” The cadres also conducted political investigations to assign political labels to clerics. The value of the clergy for united front work led the cadres to use persuasion and sometimes coercion, rather than violent methods, in education. The clerics’ reactions varied depending on personal characteristics (e.g., age, religious qualifications, personal aspirations). This study sheds new light on the dynamics of grassroots state-religion power struggles.
ISSN:0737-769X
2050-8999
2050-8999
DOI:10.1353/jcr.2024.a945578