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Market-oriented temple learns modern ways
By Yin Ping (China Daily)
Updated: 2005-09-07 05:35
SHANGHAI: The Jade Buddha Monastery in Shanghai's bustling Jing'an District is not without controversies.
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| Jing'an Temple is seen in this undated file photo. |
The century-old monastery attracts hundreds of visitors and pilgrims from home and abroad every day, just like other major monasteries nationwide. What makes it unique however is its success in keeping religion's spiritual purity in tune with the mundane desire for profits.
The temple, covering 1.3 hectares, has 280 monks including 120 masters.
In October, it hired a special property management company to run its everyday household chores.
A month later, it sent 15 of its monks to the Shanghai International Studies University to learn the most popular languages of foreign visitors.
And yesterday, 18 monks and lay Buddhists from Jade Buddha attended their first MBA class in Shanghai Jiaotong University, which launched a new MBA programme on running Buddhist temples.
Apart from ordinary MBA courses, the half-year programme offers seven lectures related to temple management, including philosophy and religious product marketing. Sun Tsu's Art of War and corporate strategy are also on the curriculum.
"Through this programme, we want to learn how the secular world is managed," said Chang Chun, head of the team and also general manager of the monastery.
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