Aktivní podíl státu na náboženské obnově v poreformní Číně

Abstract

The Chinese religious revival initiated by the reforms of the post-Mao era is a phenomenon evident at each step in today’s China and an issue frequently reflected in academic sphere. The Chinese state plays a crucial role in this process. The tension between the state and religious subjects has been constant in Chinese history and it originates in the traditional concept of the government being the highest and all defining element in the society. It derives from the fight for the mandate over the society and results in many contradictions. The position of the current Chinese government to religions is recently motivated not only by control and dominance in the society. The government has started and is further developing efforts to achieve the so called „harmonious society“ and streams of the differentiated religious scene should actually participate on its functioning. The Chinese state, besides being regulating and repressing religious life in its country, also actively contributes as a guarantor or even an initiator of the religious revival. The government supports the growing popularity of the key figure in Chinese thinking – Confucius. Some state cults and rituals are being revived as well. Within the frame of a tourist and cultural boom, huge amounts of state money are being invested in (re)construction of new temples, pilgrimage sites and institutions. This paper attempts to analyze these active approaches of Chinese government to the religious life, to explain their motivations and to prove their historical parallels.