Market-oriented temple learns modern ways
By Yin Ping (China Daily)
Updated: 2005-09-07 05:35

He said he hopes to combine the management philosophies with Buddhist beliefs.

"We want to build our temple into a model monastery in a metropolis."

By saying that he means his temple is not shy of the commercial world.

At the monastery's entrance there are six Buddha statues, each with a plaque on which is inscribed the name of a donor of 10,000 yuan (US$1,200).

On an opposite wall are posters that look like advertisements, which inform visitors of the services offered by the temple - and of course, the price tag.

The services include cleansing and sanctifying private cars and membership of Buddhist organizations.

"These services cater to our visitors' needs," Chang Chun said.

Some people fear such activities may irritate visitors.

"The temple looks so market-oriented that its religious mystery is weakened," said Liu Jian, a visitor.

Wang Fanghua, president of the Antai Management School of Shanghai Jiaotong University, said that as a social organization in a busy commercial district, the temple needs efficient management.

But he warns against the trend towards over commercialism.

Hence its new MBA programme on running temples.

"Through this programme, we hope to make the monks aware that a profit-driven method in management will not always work," he said.