Buddhism

The geopolitics of the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation: Where does India stand?

Despite its political and military consolidation in Tibet, Beijing remains concerned about the spillover effects of Tibetan affairs from India and Nepal. This vigilance persists, even as India upholds its longstanding policy on the Dalai Lama and Tibet. Indian analyst Rishi Gupta explains. 

Rishi Gupta

27 Aug 2025

The end of Shaolin Inc.? A new abbot, a new era

In the days since Abbot Shi Yongxin was replaced by Abbot Shi Yinle, the once highly commercialised Shaolin Temple has seen an overhaul in temple practices, returning to the focus on religious training and self-sufficiency through farming. Lianhe Zaobao’s China Desk takes a look at the changes.

China Desk, Lianhe Zaobao

15 Aug 2025

The Dalai Lama’s succession and the geopolitics of faith

As the Dalai Lama prepares for succession, China is gearing up for a battle over spiritual authority and political legitimacy. Outside Tibet and India, only Bhutan, Nepal and Mongolia have significant Tibetan Buddhist followings — but their responses to Beijing’s claims are likely to vary widely, says Indian researcher Amit Kumar.

Amit Kumar

11 Aug 2025

Taiwanese art historian: What do Su Shi, Mao Zedong and Jesus have in common?

Defamed by villains, ostracised by the imperial court and repeatedly demoted to barren lands — was Song dynasty poet and essayist Su Shi’s dire fate truly dictated by the stars of Capricorn? Taiwanese art historian Chiang Hsun muses on the rumblings and trivialities in Su Shi’s life.

Chiang Hsun

17 Apr 2025

[Big read] Chinese youths embrace alternative therapies for mental well-being

As a result of China’s economic downturn and rampant “involution”, Chinese youths are suffering from anxiety, depression and insomnia. The “996” work culture, shaming of “lying flat”, and the erosion of sleep by mobile phones and the internet have taken their toll on this troubled demographic. Hence, urban Chinese youths are increasingly embracing new ways of alleviating pressure, including singing bowl sound therapy, aromatherapy, sound bed therapy and Buddhist meditation therapy. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Meng Dandan takes a look at this trend.

Meng Dandan

29 Apr 2024

More Chinese youths volunteering at temples as Buddhist culture gains popularity in China

Lianhe Zaobao journalist Daryl Lim dives into a new trend among Chinese youths: volunteering at Buddhist temples. This new wave of young volunteers do not have a religious purpose in helping at temples but are seeking a different way of life, or even an escape from the pains of the current social and economic realities.

Daryl Lim

21 Dec 2023

Kaii Higashiyama's art as tribute to Chinese monk Jianzhen

Attending a recent talk by veteran Singapore writer K C Low recently on the life of Japanese artist Kaii Higashiyama, Teo Han Wue hears about a series of temple murals Higashiyama painted in tribute to Jianzhen, a Tang dynasty monk who had spread Buddhist teachings and promoted the learning of Chinese culture in Japan.

Teo Han Wue

28 Apr 2023

More than one road to 'the way of tea'

Cultural historian Cheng Pei-kai asserts that it is erroneous and even arrogant to think that the Japanese way is the only true "way of tea". Those that do forget that the Japanese tea ceremony originated from China and that different historical traditions make up varied but no less authentic paths to the way of tea.

Cheng Pei-kai

17 Feb 2023

Corruption in China seeps into the Buddhist world

Amid the controversy over honouring Japanese war criminals, Xuanzang Temple in Nanjing has found itself in more hot water as its former abbot Chuanzhen was exposed for his connections in the business and official circles. Zaobao correspondent Yang Danxu gives a profile of this senior monk and what his secular activities mean for the temple and for Buddhism.

Yang Danxu

27 Jul 2022

Xi Jinping's misguided return to ideology

East Asian Institute senior research fellow Lance Gore argues that two contexts made Xi's resurrection of ideological orthodoxy almost inevitable - Leninist party rule and China's rise on the global stage. But Xi's return to ideology may be to China's detriment, as it could reverse achievements of the reform and opening up era, and also set China on a collision course with Western liberal democracies.

Lance Gore

08 Jul 2022

[Picture story] China's western frontier and beyond

Taiwanese historical photo collector Hsu Chung-mao considers China's historical engagements with its western frontier and the lands beyond it, and takes note of what the Chinese have documented and popularised in their version of the history of cultural exchanges with civilisations across Asia and Europe. With photos and drawings by young artist Brian Hsu, he brings us through history for a peek at those times.

Hsu Chung-mao

04 Mar 2022

Growing up (and old) with Chinese philosopher Li Zehou

Think of how the switching between languages, cultures and epistemologies can itself be an integral part of reading and writing, and extend this to a thinker's broadest philosophical opus, in concepts, articulations and communications - that is the work of Chinese philosophy great Li Zehou (1930-2021), says former Singapore Art Museum director, Kwok Kian Chow.

Kwok Kian Chow

19 Nov 2021