Contemporary Taiwan Buddhism And Politics (1945-2004)

Buddhism is one of the religions with greater influence power in the contemporary society of Taiwan. With lifting a ban on the politics of the Taiwan authorities in 1987, the Buddhism circle of Taiwan had been developing at a swift and violent speed . Now the Buddhism of Taiwan has become the essential religion of the Taiwanese society, and has a great impact on different fields of the society of Taiwan. This text teaches the relation of religion and politics as visual angle , examines and analyses the course of the wrestle between Taiwan authorities and Buddhism from World War II to 2004. This text thinks that the relation between Buddhism and Taiwan authorities is always placed in the mode of Politics suppresses the religion " before the ban on the politics beening lifted. Taiwan Buddhism developes under the control of the Kuomintang authorities and its political participation is to submit to the passive participation under the psychology. The authority politics of the Kuomintang is in the absolute advantage in the contending of Buddhism circle all the time. The Buddhism circle of Taiwan is incorporating into own forces ,and carrying on the political concern activity actively. With getting involved various political subjects, Taiwan Buddhism has exerted an influence on the Taiwan authorities. At the same time this text points out that we should cause our full vigilance for the mode of" religion-political party " of The Buddha and the power of religion claiming Taiwan independence.