IV. The Role of Religious Groups Has Been Fully Developed
四、宗教界的作用得到充分发挥
China encourages all religions to keep pace with the times and adapt to the socialist society, and contribute to economic growth, social harmony, cultural prosperity, ethnic solidarity and national unification.
中国鼓励各宗教与时俱进,与社会主义社会相适应,为促进经济发展、社会和谐、文化繁荣、民族团结、祖国统一贡献力量。
Making efforts to interpret religious teachings and rules which conform to the national conditions and demands of the times. In the course of their development, religions in China have blended with traditional Chinese culture and adapted to the actual needs of social development. Chinese religious groups must conduct religious activities in the Chinese context, practice core socialist values, carry forward the fine traditions of the Chinese nation, and actively explore religious thought which conforms to the reality in China. While maintaining their basic beliefs, core religious teachings and etiquette system, the Buddhist and Taoist communities hold sermons, the Islamic community carries out work interpreting the classics, the Catholic community encourages the running of its religious work in a democratic manner, and the Protestant community conducts theological construction, all in an attempt to interpret religious teachings and rules to conform to the national conditions and demands of the times. The Buddhist community integrates patriotism with love of religion, focusing more on worldly concerns, promoting Buddhism to benefit all living creatures, public charity, and cultural exchange. The Taoist community is committed to promoting its religious principles such as "respecting the Tao and valuing morality", "Tao follows nature", "being quiet and serene", and "embracing simplicity and wisdom", to help carry forward and promote traditional Chinese culture. The Islamic community focuses on interpreting the thoughts in its religious doctrine of patriotism, peace, unity, tolerance and the Middle Path, serving to form correct belief, discerning right from wrong, opposing secession, and resisting religious extremism. The Catholic community actively promotes the localization of churches, managing church activities and making decisions in a democratic manner. The Protestant community draws nourishment from traditional Chinese culture, helping to foster mutual respect and harmony between Protestants and believers of all faiths so as to allow Protestantism to better integrate into modern Chinese society.
努力对教义教规作出契合国情和时代要求的阐释。中国各宗教在发展过程中历来有与中国优秀传统文化相融合、与社会发展现实需求相适应的特点。中国宗教界坚持宗教中国化方向,践行社会主义核心价值观,弘扬中华民族优良传统,积极探索符合中国国情的宗教思想。在保持基本信仰、核心教义、礼仪制度的同时,佛教界和道教界开展讲经交流活动,伊斯兰教界开展“解经”工作,天主教界推进民主办教,基督教界开展神学思想建设,努力对宗教教义教规作出契合国情和时代要求的阐释。佛教界将爱国与爱教结合起来,更多关注现世问题,更加注重弘法利生、公益慈善、文化交流。道教界致力于尊道贵德、道法自然、清静恬淡、抱朴守真等教理教义的转化和发展,助力中华优秀传统文化的继承与弘扬。伊斯兰教界注重阐释教义中爱国、和平、团结、宽容、中道等思想,起到了立正信、明是非、反分裂、抵制宗教极端主义的积极作用。天主教界积极推动教会的本地化,在教会事务的管理及重大问题的决策上实行“民主办教”。基督教界吸取中国优秀文化的养分,促进基督徒与不同信仰者之间的互相尊重、和睦相处,推动基督教更好地融入当代中国社会。
Actively engaging in public charity activities. Since 2012, based on "Opinions on Encouraging and Regulating Religious Circles' Participation in Public Welfare Charitable Activities", religious groups have carried out an annual "Religious Charity Week"; with total donations exceeding one billion yuan. They have also held prayer services following the Wenchuan earthquake and other major disasters and incidents, utilized available resources to help the Sandu Shui Autonomous County, Guizhou Province to eliminate poverty, made donations to education in various forms, funded professional medical institutions to provide free services, subsidized medical treatment for disadvantaged groups, and carried out a range of activities to help the elderly and disabled by establishing nursing homes for the elderly and rehabilitation centers for the disabled. According to preliminary statistics, religious groups have established more than 400 nursing homes offering approximately 29,000 beds. They also advocate a "green environment" philosophy. Buddhist and Taoist communities have called for environmentally friendly forms of burning incense and freeing captive animals, and have constructed eco-friendly temples.
积极从事公益慈善活动。从2012年起,宗教界依据《关于鼓励和规范宗教界从事公益慈善活动的意见》,每年开展“宗教慈善周”活动,捐款数额累计超过10亿元。为汶川地震等重大灾难事故举行各种赈灾祈福祈祷活动;集中力量帮助贵州省三都水族自治县脱贫;开展多种形式的捐资助学;资助专业医疗机构开展便民义诊,捐助困难群体的医疗救治;开展多种形式的敬老助残活动,创建养老机构,建立残疾人康复站,初步统计,宗教界共开办了养老机构400多家,床位数总计约2.9万张;倡导绿色环保理念,佛教界和道教界开展了“文明敬香”和“合理放生”活动,建设生态寺庙、生态宫观。
Conscientiously resisting extremism. Faced by the challenge of religious extremism to the bottom line of human civilization, religious groups have taken a clear stand and drawn a line against extremists, fully advocating correct belief and behavior, and fighting resolutely against the use of terrorist violence and instigation of separatism in the name of religion. In January 2013, eminent monks, experts and scholars of Buddhism of Chinese tradition, Tibetan tradition and Theravada tradition convened a meeting to call on all Buddhists to become more active in preaching to their believers about the correct outlook on life and opposing extremist behaviors such as self-immolation or the incitement of others to do so, which violate Buddhist teachings and discipline. In May 2014, the China Islamic Association released a proposal entitled "Keep to the Middle Path and Steer Clear of Extremism", whereby well-known Islamic figures across the country condemned violent terrorist activities. In July 2016, the China Religious Culture Communication Association and the China Islamic Association held the International Seminar on the Islamic Middle Path in Urumqi, advocating the role of the Middle Path in opposing extremism. In December 2017, national religious groups jointly issued a proposal calling for religious communities to enhance their abilities to distinguish, guard against and resist the encroachment of cults, and maintain social harmony and stability.
自觉抵制极端主义。面对宗教极端思想对人类文明共同底线的挑战,宗教界旗帜鲜明地同极端主义划清界限,坚决反对冒用宗教名义从事暴力恐怖和民族分裂活动,大力倡导正信正行。2013年1月,汉传、藏传与南传三大语系佛教的高僧大德和专家学者召开会议,呼吁所有佛教界人士积极行动起来,向广大信众宣讲正确的佛教生命观,反对违背佛教教义和戒律实施或煽动他人实施自焚的极端行为。2014年5月,中国伊斯兰教协会发出《坚守中道,远离极端》倡议书,全国伊斯兰教界知名人士共同发声,严厉谴责暴力恐怖活动。2016年7月,中华宗教文化交流协会会同中国伊斯兰教协会在乌鲁木齐举办了伊斯兰教中道思想国际研讨会,倡导中道思想,共同反对极端主义。2017年12月,中国全国性宗教团体联合发出倡议,号召宗教界增强鉴别能力,防范和抵制邪教侵害,维护社会和谐稳定。
V. Active and Healthy Religious Relations
五、宗教关系积极健康
Relations between the Party/government and religious groups, society and religion, different religions within the country, religions of China and foreign countries, and religious believers and non-believers are properly handled in China. This has enabled active and healthy religious relations to take shape.
中国妥善处理党和政府与宗教、社会与宗教、国内不同宗教、中国宗教与外国宗教、信教公民与不信教公民等多种关系,形成了积极健康的宗教关系。
Harmony between the Party/government and religious groups. The CPC adheres to the principle of "uniting and cooperating politically, and respecting each other's beliefs" in the handling of relations with religious groups, and maintains good relations with religious circles. They have formed a consolidated patriotic united front. At present, approximately 20,000 prominent figures from the religious circles serve as deputies and members at all levels of people's congresses and committees of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and participate in the deliberation and administration of state affairs and exercising democratic oversight. Since 1991, Party and state leaders have held annual seminars before the Spring Festival with heads of national religious groups to listen to their opinions and suggestions. Mechanisms have been established between Party and government leaders and religious personages across the country to help enhance mutual understanding and friendship.
党和政府与宗教界的关系和谐融洽。中国共产党坚持以“政治上团结合作、信仰上互相尊重”的原则处理同宗教界的关系,同宗教界的爱国统一战线不断巩固。目前,中国约有2万名宗教界人士担任了各级人民代表大会和政治协商会议的代表、委员,积极参政议政,实施民主监督。从1991年开始,党和国家领导人每年与全国性宗教团体负责人迎春座谈,听取他们的意见建议。全国各地普遍建立了党政领导干部与宗教界人士联谊交友机制,加深了解,增进友谊。
Social tolerance towards religions. Religious conflict and confrontation have rarely been seen in China since the introduction of Buddhism, Islam, Catholicism and Protestantism over the past 2,000 years. The state and the society have maintained an open mind towards diverse religions and folk beliefs, and respect both freedom of religious belief and diversity of folk beliefs. Religious groups carry on the longstanding tradition whereby religions in China must be Chinese in orientation, and actively adapt to society. They also carry on the fine traditions of patriotism, unity, progress, service to society, harmony, and inclusiveness. Religious groups conscientiously safeguard national and social public interests, public order and good customs, and fulfill social responsibility. In 2016, Chinese religious groups organized peaceful prayer services across the country to commemorate the 71st anniversary of victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the Second World War, andcall for the maintenance of ethnic solidarity, national stability and world peace.
社会对宗教持包容态度。两千多年来,佛教、伊斯兰教、天主教、基督教等先后传入中国,很少出现以宗教为背景的冲突和对抗,国家与社会对各种宗教和多样的民间信仰持开放态度,宗教信仰自由和民间信仰多样性获得尊重。各宗教继承和发扬长期以来中国化、本土化的传统,主动适应社会,发扬爱国爱教、团结进步、服务社会、和谐包容的优良传统,自觉维护国家利益、社会公共利益和公序良俗,履行社会责任。2016年,全国宗教界在各地开展了纪念抗日战争暨世界反法西斯战争胜利71周年和平祈祷活动,呼吁维护民族团结、国家稳定和世界和平。
Active exchanges and dialogues between different religions. Throughout history, different religions in China have blended together and drawn lessons from one another to become an integral part of traditional Chinese culture. In modern times, different religions respect and learn from each other, and take part in exchanges and dialogues, and a new realm of "five religions (Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Catholicism and Protestantism) working together to achieve harmony" has taken shape. National and local religious groups have established a mechanism of joint conferences to discuss issues concerning religious relations, creating modes of religious dialogue with Chinese characteristics and enhancing mutual understanding and friendship.
各宗教积极开展交流对话。历史上,各种宗教在中国交融共生、彼此借鉴,成为中国优秀传统文化的有机组成部分。在当代,不同宗教相互尊重、相互学习,开展对话交流,开创了“五教同光,共致和谐”的新境界。全国性和一些地方性宗教团体建立了联席会议机制,对涉及宗教关系的问题进行协商沟通,创造了具有中国特色的宗教对话模式,增进了相互之间的理解和友谊。
Extensive international religious exchanges. Chinese religious groups have established friendly relations with religious organizations in more than 80 countries based on the principles of independence, equality, friendship, and mutual respect, and played an active part in international conferences involving diverse cultures, beliefs and religions. Chinese religious groups participate extensively in activities run by international organizations including the World Council of Churches, World Fellowship of Buddhists, Muslim World League, and World Conference on Religion and Peace, as well as conferences set up by the United Nations Human Rights Council, and bilateral and multilateral dialogues on human rights. Chinese religious groups have responded actively to the Belt and Road Initiative, working to promote closer ties between people and the linking up of cultures. Chinese Buddhist and Taoist communities have held four World Buddhist Forums and four International Taoism Forums respectively, which have become important international platforms for the communication of Buddhism and Taoism both at home and abroad. The China Islamic Association organized the China Islamic Culture Expo & Art Show in Turkey and Malaysia in 2012 and 2014 respectively. Chinese and American Protestant organizations held the Second China-USA Protestant Church Leaders Forum in Shanghai in 2013, and the China-U.S. Church Symposium in the U.S. in 2017. In 2016, the China Islamic Association, China Christian Council, Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association, Bishops Conference of Catholic Church in China and Union Evangelical Churches in Germany jointly hosted the China-Germany Inter-religious Dialogue – Peace & Sharing in Germany. Since China's adoption of reform and opening-up in 1978, Chinese religious groups have sent more than 1,000 people abroad to study.
宗教领域国际交流广泛开展。在独立自主、平等友好、相互尊重的基础上,中国宗教界已经与超过80个国家的宗教组织建立了友好关系,积极参加涉及不同文明、信仰与宗教的国际性会议,广泛参与世界基督教教会联合会、世界佛教徒联谊会、伊斯兰世界联盟、世界宗教者和平会议等国际性组织的活动,参加联合国人权理事会会议,参与多个双边和多边人权对话。积极响应“一带一路”倡议,促进民心相通,文化交融。佛教界举办了4届世界佛教论坛,道教界举办了4届国际道教论坛,这两个论坛已成为海内外佛教、道教重要的国际交流平台。中国伊斯兰教协会分别于2012年、2014年赴土耳其、马来西亚举办伊斯兰文化展演活动。中美基督教会2013年在上海举办“第二届中美基督教领袖论坛”,2017年在美国举办“中国教会事工”交流会。2016年,中国伊斯兰教协会、中国基督教协会和中国天主教一会一团共同与德国新教联盟在德国联合举办“中德宗教对话——和平与共享”跨宗教对话。改革开放以来,各宗教团体选派出国留学人员超过千人。
Harmony between religious believers and non-believers. Citizens who do not hold any religious belief respect the freedom of others to practice religion, and do not discriminate against them; religious believers respect those who do not believe in any religion. In regions where the majority of citizens are non-believers, the legitimate rights of minority religious believers are respected and protected; in regions where the majority of citizens are religious believers, the legitimate rights of the minority who are non-believers are equally respected and protected.
信教和不信教公民和睦相处。不信教公民尊重信教公民的宗教信仰,不歧视和排斥信教公民;信教公民尊重不信教公民的信仰选择。在多数公民不信教的地方,少数信教公民的合法权利得到尊重和保护;在多数公民信教的地方,少数不信教公民的权利同样得到尊重和保护。
Conclusion
结束语
Religion is an integral part of human civilization. Protecting freedom of religious belief, properly handling religious relations and adapting them to the times, and curbing religious extremism are common tasks facing all countries around the world. Considering the development of religions and changes in religious work, and learning from both positive and negative experiences at home and abroad, China has embarked on a road to success which enshrines freedom of religious belief in law, promotes harmonious religious relations, and encourages religious groups to play a positive role. According to General Secretary Xi Jinping's report at the 19th CPC National Congress held in 2017, China will fully implement the Party's basic policy on religious affairs, uphold the principle that religions in China must be Chinese in orientation and provide active guidance to religions so that they can adapt themselves to the socialist society. China will continue to respect and protect its citizens' freedom to religious beliefs, and strive to build the country into a modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally-advanced, harmonious, and with a sound environment.
宗教是人类文明的有机组成部分。保障宗教信仰自由,妥善处理宗教关系,使之与时代相适应,遏制宗教极端主义,是世界各国面临的共同课题。中国结合宗教发展变化和宗教工作实际,汲取国内外正反两方面的经验,走出了一条依法保障宗教信仰自由、促进宗教关系和谐、发挥宗教界积极作用的成功道路。中国共产党第十九次全国代表大会报告明确指出,全面贯彻党的宗教工作基本方针,坚持宗教的中国化方向,积极引导宗教与社会主义社会相适应。中国将一如既往地尊重和保障公民的宗教信仰自由,努力建设富强民主文明和谐美丽的社会主义现代化强国。