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On February 17 an abbot in Fuyan Temple in the Nayue Mountain was officially given the award of top-grade tour guide for Mount Hengshan by the local district government. The move has prompted a debate about the role that monks should play in society in China.
Mount Hengshan, also known as Nanyue, ranks first among the five sacred mountains in China. It is also a famous mountain worshipped by Buddhists in China. The mountain boasts many temples, amongst which is the Fuyan Temple also known as the nation?s ?temple of Buddhist doctrine? and the ?Seven Founders? Temple to Perform Buddhist Rite.?
According to reports, Shi Dayue, who graduated from the China Buddhism Academy in Beijing Fayuan Temple, is almost in his 40s. He is not only abbot of the temple but also a deputy to the 10th National People?s Congress (NPC). It has been nineteen years since he first came to Mount Hengshan.
The abbot is also vice chairman of Hunan Provincial Buddhism Association. When important visitors travel to Mount Hengshan, he usually provides himself as guide. His profound Buddhist belief and deep understanding of Nanyue?s history has made him a very insightful guide.
But not everyone is happy about his senior appointment as a guide. ?It?s not necessary as it is the job of a guide and he has his own things to do after all,? said one not happy with the award. Others more positive of his activities, said, ?Since he knows the place well and is a Buddhist, it is good!?
Abbot Shi says that religion is an important part of Nanyue?s culture and he just wants to introduce its history and cultural context, and its meaning to its visitors. But his way is different than the usual tour guide way. As a Buddhist disciple he agreed to receive the position of being a tour guide after consideration. ?I think I have a duty to do it,? he said.
(China.org.cn by Wang Zhiyong, March 14, 2003)
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