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With regard to temple property, Pai Shen proposed the abolition of existing systems of inheritance, most of which lead to nepotism and abuse. He favoured the turning over of all Buddhist property within a political boundary to a single common property holding authority under a centralized authority. The latter would determine which temples to keep, which to abolish. The properties which were not attached to temples would be used for Buddhist social enterprises such as education, cultural research, welfare activities and industry and agriculture.
Other proposals were concerned with the education of monks, the abolition of the traditional system of transmission, and changes in the manner of living such as details of clothing, time of eating and rules for living in temples. Since these have little bearing on the present article, they will not be reported.
Another monk who was convinced that the old system had gone forever proposed that the entire Buddhist organization be turned into a business enterprise.12 This enterprise would have responsibility for the training, counselling, providing welfare and medical care for and employment of the monks. Meanwhile, these would be trained to take up employment in Buddhist institutions like schools, welfare agencies, cultural studies. The employment would become the source of support for the monks.
The necessity of active involvement with society at large seen from the above two proposals was also felt by a third account. This monk contrasts prayers with active service to the community,
The Buddhist empty form of prayer has long been incompatible with the practical needs of society. The survival of the fittest has the strength of iron logic. What the practical demands of society want from Buddhist monks is no longer the archaic shells of prayer, but the descent from the monastic door into human society and direct dedication to the service of mankind.13
Not all monks felt that changes as drastic as this were necessary. While all agreed that a complete return to the old ways was impossible to implement and not altogether desirable, some monks thought that the basic celibate monk-hood should not be changed. The current malaise and low reputation of the
32
With regard to temple property, Pai Shen proposed the abolition of existing systems of inheritance, most of which lead to nepotism and abuse. He favoured the turning over of all Buddhist property within a political boundary to a single common property holding authority under a centralized authority. The latter would determine which temples to keep, which to abolish. The properties which were not attached to temples would be used for Buddhist social enterprises such as education, cultural research, welfare activities and industry and agriculture.
Other proposals were concerned with the education of monks, the abolition of the traditional system of transmission, and changes in the manner of living such as details of clothing, time of eating and rules for living in temples. Since these have little bearing on the present article, they will not be reported.
Another monk who was convinced that the old system had gone forever proposed that the entire Buddhist organization be turned into a business enterprise.12 This enterprise would have responsibility for the training, counselling, providing welfare and medical care for and employment of the monks. Meanwhile, these would be trained to take up employment in Buddhist institutions like schools, welfare agencies, cultural studies. The employment would become the source of support for the monks.
The necessity of active involvement with society at large seen from the above two proposals was also felt by a third account. This monk contrasts prayers with active service to the community,
The Buddhist empty form of prayer has long been incompatible with the practical needs of society. The survival of the fittest has the strength of iron logic. What the practical demands of society want from Buddhist monks is no longer the archaic shells of prayer, but the descent from the monastic door into human society and direct dedication to the service of mankind.13
Not all monks felt that changes as drastic as this were necessary. While all agreed that a complete return to the old ways was impossible to implement and not altogether desirable, some monks thought that the basic celibate monk-hood should not be changed. The current malaise and low reputation of the
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