The prospect of Buddhism through the monastic commercialization in China: between faith and wealth

The commercialization of Buddhism has been an important issue since it spread to the East. Through a meticulous collation of relevant content from Buddhist scriptures and historical documents, this paper systematically reviews the early development of Buddhist commercialization and conducts a classified examination. To adapt to commercialization, Buddhist precepts have gradually changed, with monks becoming less bound by property precepts. In recent decades, the commercialization of Buddhism in China has exhibited characteristics that differ from its historical trajectory, which is primarily divided into active and passive forms. The commercialization of Buddhism in contemporary China oscillates between restrictions and complete laissez-faire, making it difficult to define a proper balance and boundaries, which causes many chaotic phenomena. It is not the commercialization of Buddhism but the use of Buddhism for commercial purposes. Looking ahead to the future commercialization of Buddhism in China, with the aim of integrating religious development, legal construction, and social governance, a feasible path should be to realize the integration of Buddhist autonomy and government management through the rule of law. To this end, strengthening the study of the discipline and autonomy of the Sangha community, clarifying the property rights of monasteries, improving financial supervision, upholding law-based administration, and respecting the essence of Buddhism are critical. Buddhism needs to strengthen its organizational and institutional development, improve its self-discipline and self-management, actively draw on the achievements of traditional wisdom, and attach great importance to external exchanges and learning from beneficial international experiences.