Henan, China -- Henan Buddhist College (HBC) held an
inauguration ceremony on Sunday in central China's Henan province,
marking the establishment of the first-ever higher institute dedicated
to Buddhist education in the birthplace of Han Chinese Buddhism.
Located in the scenic Tongbai Mountains known for their monastic
heritage, HBC covers an area of 6.96 hectares. The main architectural
complex is in the style of the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and comprises the
monastery, classrooms, an administrative building, residential quarters
and a Buddhist cultural center.
Venerable masters from temples at home and abroad, prominent scholars
as well as Buddhist disciples across the country gathered at Sunday's
ceremony, presided by Shi Yongxin, the incumbent abbot of the Shaolin
Temple, the birthplace of kong fu, and vice president of the Buddhist
Association of China.
Zhang Lebin, vice president of China's State Administration for
Religious Affairs, said the founding of HBC is significant in promoting
the sound development of Buddhism in China and nurturing outstanding
Sangha members with expertise.
Henan is known as the entry point of Buddhism in China from India
nearly 2,000 years ago. It is in Henan that China's first Buddhist
temple, White Horse Temple, was established. Henan is also home to the
ancestral temple of Zen Buddhism, the Shaolin Temple, as well as China's
first royal temple, the Daxiangguo Temple.
However, the shortage of qualified Sangha members poses a challenge
for Chinese Buddhism in modern society. An official survey by Henan
Provincial Buddhist Association showed that only 30 percent of the
leaders of Henan's more than 500 temples have received proper higher
education.
HBC emphasizes the study of the original Buddhist scriptures and
literature, including the history of Buddhist thinking in India and the
history of Buddhist schools in China, according to the Venerable Long
Zang, HBC's vice president and dean.
"Besides the traditional practice and development of morality,
meditation and wisdom, HBC also trains Sangha members with courses such
as English, computer science, and Buddhist painting," said the Venerable
Long Zang.
The college has enrolled more than 40 students since it welcomed its first batch of students in March 2011.
"I definitely had a hard time adjusting myself to a vigorous daily
schedule here in the college. But I know it takes time to truly
comprehend the spirit of Buddha," said Tan Jing, a monk student
originally from Beijing.
Ming Chen, a local monk student from Henan, explained why he decided
to renounce the world and be ordained as a monk. "The rampant moral
corruption and money fetish have turned me disillusioned. To join the
Sangha and study in the college is the best way for me to pursue the
truth of life and benefit others."
"Education in a Buddhist college is neither vocational training nor
the attainment of a piece of diploma. Instead, it's an education of
life," said the Venerable Long Zang. "For a monk student, the best
perspective upon graduation is to find a direction worth striving for,"
he added.