Taiwan's Tzu Chi as engaged Buddhism [electronic resource] : origins, organization, appeal and social impact / by Yu-Shuang Yao.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Yao, Yushuang.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Buddhism--Taiwan--History.

Buddhism.

Buddhism--Social aspects.

Fo jiao ci ji ci shan shi ye ji jin hui.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (257 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Boston : Global Oriental, 2012.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

This book is the first comprehensive sociological account and in-depth analysis of a new Chinese Buddhist movement, known as Tzu Chi (otherwise, the Buddhist Compassion Merit Society). Based in Taiwan, it was founded in 1966 and still led by a female Buddhist master – Master Cheng Yen. Its members are laity, and women play a major role. The main focus of the movement is medical charity – to ease and if possible prevent suffering and to teach ethics to the wealthy; at the same time, it also offers members a religion and a way of life. Recruitment typically attracts people from the urban middle class. With some 3.5 million members and a very low drop-out rate, Tzu Chi is extraordinarily successful, and has spread to other parts of the world, not least mainland China where it is attracting the attention of the general public and the media. The book stands in the Anglo-American tradition of the sociology of religion; it also draws on the author’s knowledge of Buddhist history. The data come from participant observation and many long interviews. It will be of particular interest to students of new religious movements, religious studies in contemporary China, and studies in ethics and social change in East Asia.

Contents:

Preliminary Material

Introduction: The Second Golden Age of Chinese Buddhism in Taiwan

Research Approach and Methods

The History of Tzu Chi: Organization, Leadership and Public Responses

Teachings and Practices: Altruism and Morality Become a Way of Life

The ‘New Middle Class’: The Social Composition of the Tzu Chi Membership

Becoming a Disciple: The Recruiting Strategy of Tzu Chi

Tzu Chi’s Organizational Structure and the Process of Socialization

The Appeal of Tzu Chi Buddhism

Does Tzu Chi Meet the Expectations of Current Sociological Theory?

Afterword

Appendix

Bibliography

Index.

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

1-280-68971-4

9786613666659

90-04-23132-3

OCLC:

795120517

Publisher Number:

10.1163/9789004231320 DOI