Painful for the believers, the destruction also harmed the local economy due to the decreased number of visitors.
Buddhism
Zealous Officials Destroy Four Temples in One Village
Motivated by a visiting central government dignitary, local authorities in Henan are taking “religious work” to the new level. Anything to please the Party.
Worshiping the Hidden Buddha
After an ancient temple was repurposed for an activity center, believers continue their religious practices in secret, without seeing the statues of deities.
Removal of Buddhist Statues Extends to Cemeteries
The campaign against large open-air religious icons is now targeting the dead: they are not allowed to rest in peace in the company of deities.
“Sinicization” Folly: Confucius Head on a Buddhist Statue
CCP is reaching new highs in making religions more Chinese: the statue of “First Guanyin of Shandong” gets a facelift, in the most literal sense of the word.
Temples in Henan Sealed off in Rapid Succession
Henan Province authorities are continuing to crack down on Buddhism and Taoism, destroying historical relics along the way.
Liaoning Province Authorities Suppress Ancient Temples
Ancient Buddhist and Taoist temples in the province’s Xiuyan county have been closed down and harassed, even though they operated with the authorities’ permission.
The War on Buddhism Continues to Escalate
The Chinese authorities’ crackdown on Buddhist venues and symbols is intensifying, even protected historical and cultural sites are not spared.
Closure of Temples Forces Owners into Dead End
Hubei authorities have sealed off and demolished Buddhist temples, cutting off believers’ source of livelihood and leaving them homeless.
Ancient Buddhist Temple Suppressed in Shanxi Province
Authorities are harassing a once flourishing, more than 1,000-year-old temple and subject monks to increased control and indoctrination.