Somethings don't change after 2000 years

[cashew]

(OK, technically a slight exaggeration, it's more like 1800 years.)

So, recently, the Buddhist temple Shaolin (少林寺) got into some trouble with society in general. The head abbot (主持) was arrested for corruption. A monk at the temple reported the head honcho back in 2016 and finally he's been arrested on corruption charges.

Aaanyhoo, point is, the new head started cleaning house and the temples of other Buddhist sects (Shaolin is only one of many sects of Buddhists in China) are starting to freak out that they might get dragged into the mess and have been holding emergency meetings.

Meanwhile, the Daoist temples continue as usual, because they've been paying taxes. Yes, 2000 years later and the Daoists still pay taxes while the Buddhists are tax exempt.

In other words, the trend of government crack down on Buddhist Temples continues while Daoists stay in the ruling classes' good graces by paying into the system, as they have been doing for 2000 years. Some things never changed. 🤣

Comments

[tanithryudo]

Wait...so they've been commercializing Shaolin as a brand but haven't had to pay taxes for that? Or is that business part exempt from the normal tax-exemption? Because I find it hard the government would let a commercial empire develop with no dues paid to the government...

[cashew]

From what I understand, the Buddhist Temples' income are tax exempt because they're technically "non-profit". AKA special religious exemption for charity stuff. Obviously, things have gotten out of hand when the head guy wasn't satisfied with monetary corruption and started having political ambitions (apparently went to arrange meetings with Pope through Dalai), so yaaaah. Basic tenant of religion in China: never have political ambitions and you're gold.

[tanithryudo]

Yet Daoist temples aren't "non-profit" charity driven? Seems weird that one pays taxes and the other doesn't.

[cashew]

Apparently not. Daoist temples are for profit. Hence why 青羊宫 had ticket fee but 文书院 was free.