China Buddhist Association: A Trojan Horse of Chinese Propaganda

Naïve Buddhists in democratic countries believe they are conducting genuine inter-Buddhist dialogue with a group that exists to advance CCP interests.

By Zhu Yaozu

April 18, 2025

Buddha’s tooth Beijing relic arrives in Myanmar. Screenshot.

Earlier this month, in the magazine “Chinese Religion,” an interesting article was published on directives from the United Front Work Department and the CCP to the government-controlled China Buddhist Association.

The text first underlines what is the purpose of China Buddhist Association. “General Secretary Xi Jinping stressed that winning people’s hearts is crucial and the United Front is key to this.” The Association is there to make sure that, “The Buddhist community should follow Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for the New Era, study and implement his views on the Party’s United Front and religious work and unite religious believers. They should embrace patriotism, align Buddhism with socialist values…”

Of special interest is the work entrusted to China Buddhist Association to advance Chinese interests abroad by “promoting friendship between Chinese and foreign Buddhist circles.” Follows a list of best practices. “China Buddhist Association has escorted the Buddha’s tooth relic from Lingguang Temple in Beijing to Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand for worship several times, enhancing mutual understanding and promoting good neighborliness and friendship. Friendly exchanges have been carried out with Buddhist circles of South Korea and Japan, initiating the establishment of the ‘China-Korea-Japan Buddhist Friendship Exchange Conference’ platform, and concluding the ‘golden bond’ of East Asian folk cultural exchanges. The Association deepened and expanded exchanges and cooperation between the Buddhist circles of China and the countries in the Lancang-Mekong River Basin, regularly holding the ‘Lancang-Mekong River Basin Buddhist Exchange Conference’ and helping build a community of shared future with China for Lancang-Mekong countries.” 

In the future, the China Buddhist Association is told that it should “continuously strengthen friendly exchanges with the Buddhist circles in the Americas, Oceania and Europe, and co-host the ‘China-US-Canada Buddhist Forum’ and ‘China-Australia-New Zealand Buddhist Forum’ and other exchange activities, as foreign friendly exchanges are gradually globalized. It should continue and manage the ‘World Buddhist Forum,’ and strive to build a high-level international multilateral exchange platform for Buddhism with global influence and achieve remarkable results.”

A World Fellowship of Buddhists international event. Credits.

The China Buddhist Association is also instructed to “participate in the activities of international Buddhist and religious peace organizations, “ including “the World Fellowship of Buddhists, the United Nations Vesak Day Committee, and groups such as ‘China Buddhist Harmony,’ ‘Asia Buddhist Harmony,’ and ‘World Buddhist Harmony,’ actively telling Chinese stories, spreading China’s voice, and promoting China’s image.” The ultimate aim is to foster “a solid social and public opinion foundation for friendship between China and foreign countries and create a favorable international atmosphere.”

Naïve Buddhists in democratic countries believe that by interacting with the China Buddhist Association they genuinely promote inter-Buddhist dialogue. In fact, the China Buddhist Association spreads international Chinese propaganda under the direct guidance of the United Front. It is time for honest Buddhists abroad to cut ties with an organization denounced by international instances as promoting the persecution of Buddhists not aligned with the regime in China and Tibet.

Source: bitterwinter.org