Humanistic Buddhism and the Redefinition of “Religious Tourism”:
The Buddha Memorial Center as an Integration of Sacred and Profane
Space
by
Zhi Yue Shih, FGS Institute of Humanistic Buddhism
Abstract
Since its opening to the public in 2011, the Buddha Memorial Center has modernized
the definition of the “religious site” with “worldly practice, transcendental living” as
one of its fundamental ideology. While lauded as being one of the top attractions in
Taiwan, the Buddha Memorial Center is not without criticism for being a seemingly
commercialized tourist hotspot. However, by studying the definition of “religious
tourism” advocated by Venerable Master Hsing Yun as compared to other existing
definitions, this paper explores how the Buddha Memorial Center exemplifies the
religious philosophy of Humanistic Buddhism, how it has challenged preconceived
notions of sacred and profane space, as well as how it has contributed to redefining
modern-day pilgrimage.
Keywords: Buddha Memorial Center, Humanistic Buddhism, religious tourism,
pilgrimage, sacred and profane
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Modern Religious Tourism in Taiwan:
A Case Study of Fo Guang Shan Buddha Memorial Center
by
Shih, Miao Guang, Fellow, FGS Institute of Humanistic Buddhism
Abstract
Fo Guang Shan Buddha Memorial Center, founded by Venerable Master Hsing Yun, is a
newly opened Buddhist site in Taiwan, which not only serves as a combined museum, art
gallery and religious landmark, but also a diverse cultural, education and art center whose
total number of visitors in the first year of its opening exceeded ten million, higher than that
of the Louvre in 2012, and has continued to rise in successive years. The Center also became
the youngest museum to be recognized as a member of ICOM, receive ISO50001 certification,
and listed on Tripadvisor as one of the top three tourist destinations in Taiwan within the first
four years of its opening.
Owing to more than just the stunning architectural complex and open space layout, a rich
collection of permanent and temporary art exhibitions, live Buddhist and Chinese cultural
performances, interfaith festivities, as well as social welfare events are among the
contributing factors of the Center’s success. This paper aims to study the relationship between
the modern approaches of Dharma propagation in Humanistic Buddhism and religious
tourism in attempt to discuss the success of Buddha Memorial Center’s development as well
as its future prospective in the dissemination of Buddhism.
Keywords: Hsing Yun, Fo Guang Shan, Buddha Memorial Center, museum, religious tourism, education,
cultural tourism
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Toward a Modern Buddhist Hagiography: Telling the Life of Hsing Yun in Popular Media
by
Jack Meng-Tat Chia, National University of Singapore
Abstract
Hsing Yun (Xingyun, 1927–), the founder of Fo Guang Shan, is one of the most influential Buddhist monks in Taiwan and around the world. This study examines the biographies of Hsing Yun as depicted in Fo Guang Shan's popular media—a comic, an online photo album, a documentary, and a music video—to elucidate the uses and significance of Buddhist hagiography in contemporary Taiwan. I argue that unlike the Buddhist hagiographies of earlier times in which eminent monks were depicted as transcendental beings with superhuman powers and spiritual attainments, the informal and intimate portrayals of Hsing Yun in popular media seek to portray the monk as a world-ling bodhisattva in the this-worldly realm. Focusing on the narration of Hsing Yun's life story in these popular works, this article seeks to shed new light on the use of popular media by Buddhist organizations and to develop a new understanding of how Buddhist hagiographies are produced in an accessible and fascinating manner for contemporary audiences.
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Promoting Buddhism through Modern Sports: The Case Study of Fo Guang Shan in Taiwan
by
Junwei Yu, National Taiwan University of Sport
Abstract
Promoting Buddhism through Modern Sports: The Case Study of Fo Guang Shan in Taiwan In the past, traditional Buddhism in China focused on chanting and meditation that detached itself from the society. However, after generations of strenuous efforts to promote ‘Humanistic Buddhism’, several Masters have been encouraging religion to engage more in daily lives. One of the proponents was Master Hsin Yun, who was born and raised in mainland China and subsequently moved to Taiwan along with the ‘Monk Rescue Team’. It was in Taiwan that Master Hsin Yun founded Fo Guang Shan, one of the most sacred Buddhist sites on the island. At the beginning, he started the place from scratch, setting up basketball courts for the followers to take part in basketball games. Upholding the notion that Buddhism needs to engage the public, Master, therefore, has a unique way of combing religion with modern sports in an attempt to let more people get in touch with religion. Accordingly, basketball, soccer, gymnastics, and other sports were promoted and sponsored under the auspices of Fo Guang Shan, which certainly topples public stereotypes around sedentary Buddhism. In the end, Master hopes that, in the future, sports can unite healthy Fo Guang followers worldwide and bring honor to Taiwan.
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