Buddha as an universal teacher of humankind

China is a land of ethnic, cultural, religious and philosophical diversity but the universal teachings on moderation and detachment of Buddha learnt by the Chinese people from India in ancient time occupy a unique position of being, together with philosophical Taoism and secular Confucianism, one of the three core elements of the cultural identity and value-system of traditional Chinese.

However, it is an inclusive Christian, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, who is politically respected by all Chinese, including Taoists, Confucianists, Buddhists and Muslims, as the Father of Modern China. In modern and contemporary China, the State is secular and religion is strictly a private matter not to be mixed or messed up with earthly politics.

On 12 October, I visited the Beautiful China or Jin Xiu Zhong Hua theme park in Guangzhou which exhibits a replica of a giant statue of Buddha found on the ancient Silk Road linking China with Europe through Central Asia, including northern Afghanistan.