Right to belief needs State protection

Officials at Nanchang, Jiangxi province, didn't expect to catch the attention of the entire nation when they rolled out an ambitious urban development plan of demolishing three Buddhist temples and building a composite one - called "Nanhai Palace" - to "replace" them.

The official website of the government of Xihu district, where the three old temples stand and the new one has been planned, says the development plan is aimed at facilitating religious and cultural activities in the district, and building a facility that would attract tourists in droves. "The temple will occupy a commanding height in Buddhism followers' hearts", the website says.

The effect, however, has been just the opposite. Instead of winning popular support, the plan has elicited only opposition from Buddhists and the residents where the new temple has been planned. The residents oppose the plan because the site of the new temple was originally designated as public green space, not as a place for religious or other activities. Buddhists are against the plan because it will force monks and nuns to live in the same temple complex, which is against Buddhism doctrine and practice.