Another important structural characteristic of the Taiwanese Sangha is the large number of nuns in absolute and relative terms. Its overall size can only be determined through the available ordination records.[18] If one adds the figures in the tables provided by Chern (1999) and compares the differences, one arrives at a fairly reliable figure: between 1953 and 1999 some 17.000 monks and nuns were ordained on Taiwan.[19] All available statistics agree that the number almost doubled in the last fifteen years. [20] Nuns clearly outnumber monks in a ratio of about 3:1. Their numerical strength as well as the fact that many of the younger nuns have a university degree, translates into growing empowerment and self-awareness.[21] Part of the bhikkhunī Sangha has started promoting a rethink of traditional Vinaya practices, especially the double ordination and the eight rules of respect that a nun is obliged to follow in her conduct towards a monk (bajingfa). There <pb n="131"/>are also a growing number of Buddhist institutions that are exclusively for nuns, like the Xiangguang Women Buddhist Seminary.

 

2.2 The “Four Big Mountains”

 

All these various ways of bonding that gave coherence and structure to the Chinese Sangha for many centuries still have their place in Taiwanese Buddhism until today. There is, however, another, perhaps new, type of community that is largely based on the tidu-ordination, but not exclusively so. These are the large Buddhist organizations that are formed around a master and that are strongly involved with secular society through various activities. Their problems are often similar to those of large companies, and the huge amounts of donated money that pass through them often threaten to compromise their Buddhist agenda. In Taiwan, the four largest of these organisations are called the “Four Big Mountains” (sidashan). The four are:

Foguang Shan based near Gaoxiong.

Zhongtai Shan based in Puli.

Ciji Foundation based in Hualien.

Dharma Drum Mountain (Fagu shan) in Taipei.

 

By maintaining a high public profile, these organisations are without doubt the most influential Buddhist movements in Taiwan, and merit a short description. A visitor in Taiwan who is interested in Buddhism is bound to come into contact with one or the other of these groups. Most Taiwanese know their names and the names of their founders (though people often confuse the names of Ven. Zhengyan and Ven. Shengyan).

 

2.2.1 Foguang Shan

The Foguang Shan Organisation, founded in 1967 by Ven. Xingyun (*1927), quickly became the largest Buddhist group in South Taiwan. Xingyun was one of the first members of the Taiwanese Sangha to promote the Dharma via TV and Radio stations. Through his over 30 years on TV he is very well known in Taiwan. He has come under criticism because of his involvement in politics however. In the presidential elections 1996, he energetically supported Chen Lu’an, a candidate who ran on an explicitly Buddhist platform only to lose by a wide margin. Xingyun had long developed strong relations with the Nationalist Party, especially under the former president Lee Denghui.[22]

The headquarters of Foguang Shan are quite impressive. In a park-like setting the visitor finds huge halls, tall Buddha statues, a hostel, a clinic, a museum, a small Pure-Land theme park and plenty of stalls that sell Buddhist souvenirs. The premises were closed a few years ago for the general public after it became a favourite recreation spot, but Buddhist groups still arrive in busloads from all over Taiwan. Its burial grounds house 50,000 urns, the lease of which is an important source of income for Foguang Shan.[23] As the other “Four Big Mountains” Foguang Shan has become an island wide organisation. In 1997, 1100 nuns and 134 monks belonged to the organisation, that is” went forth” with Xingyun as ordination master and committed themselves to work in the organisation.[24] In 1996 it had 51 temples or centres on Taiwan.[25] As the Ciji foundation, Foguang Shan aims at becoming a global player. Under the name “Buddha’s Light International Association” it has today more than 100 centres worldwide,[26] an impressive figure for a religious organisation from a small island. Foguang Shan was probably the first group of Chinese Buddhists to open a branch in Africa. Its internationalisation in order to spread the Dharma is highly ambitious, and they strongly promote their form of Buddhist mission.[27]

2.2.2 Zhongtai Shan

Zhongtai Shan too is attracting a large number of lay-followers, many of whom are invited to join the Sangha. Statistics about Zhongtai Shan are especially hard to get, but the community is believed to have close to 1000 monks and nuns, albeit with high fluctuations. It is therefore about the same size as Foguang Shan. Its founder and leader is Ven. Weijue (*1928), who was born in Sichuan. Like Xingyun he is deeply involved in regional politics, although Zhongtai Shan in general is less outgoing and not yet trying to internationalise.[28] In many respects it is the most traditional “hereditary temple” of the “Four Big Mountains.” All teachers in its college, the Zhongtai fojiao xueyuan, which is only open to members of the Sangha, are tudi-disciples of Weijue.