China
is a country with many religious beliefs. There are
hundred million religious followers of Taoism, Buddhism,
Islam, Catholicism and Protestantism in China. Ethnic
groups have their own religious preferences. The Hui,
Uygur, kazak, Kirgiz, Tatar, Ozbek, Tajik, Dongxiang,
Salar, and Bonan followi Islam; Tibetans, Mongolians,
Lhobas, Moinbas, Tus and Yugurs are Lamaists. Dai, Blang,
and Deang people believe in the Hinayana ( Lesser Vehicle)
Buddhism. A considerable number of the Miao, Yao and
Yi people believe in Catholicism and Protestantism.,
Catholicism, or Taoism.
Buddhism found its way into China
in the first century B.C. and spread widely after the
fourth century a. D., becoming the most infuluential
religion in China. A branch of Chinese Buddhism, Lamaism,
also called Tibetan Buddhism, is widespread in Tibet
and Inner Mongolia. China’s famous Buddhist temples
include Baima Temple in Luoyang, Daci’en Temples
in Xi’an, Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou, and Shaolin
Temple in Henan. Famous lamaseries include Jokhang Monastery,
Tashilhunpo Monastery and Sakya Monastery in Tibet,
Kunmbum Monastery in Qinghai, Wuta Lamasery in Inner
Mongolia, and Yonghe Lamasery in Beijing.
Islam
was introduced to China in the middle period of the
seventh century. China’s famous mosques include
Libai Mosque in yangzhou, Huajue Mosque in Xi’an,
Niujie Mosque in Beijing, Dongda Mosque in Yinchuan,
and the Aitagar at Kashi in Xinjiang.
The introduction of Catholicism
and Protestantism to China followed Buddhism and Islam,
with less influence. The followers of Catholicism and
Protestantism mainly concentrate in large cities like
Beijing and Shanghai. Some farmers also believe in Catholicism
or Protestantism.
Taking
form in the second century A. D., Taoism is indigenous
to china. The most famous Taoist temples and monasteries
are beiyun Monasteryb in Beijing, Qingyang Monastery
in Chengdu and Taiqing Monastery in Shenyang.
In China, citizens enjoy freedom
of religious belief, and all normal religious activities
are protected by the Constitution.
The Buddhist, Islamic, Catholic,
Protestant and Taoist organizations have been established
at national and local levels, independently dealing
with their own religious affairs. The religious groups
and affairs in China are not subject to the direction
of foreign powers.
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