Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Agenzia Fides) – The relationship between Church and State, domestic ecology, inner dialogue between cultures and tradition, development of research on the philosophy of life ... are the topics that were covered in the Conference entitled “The Role of Religions in Chinese Society Today and the Impact of Sects on Social Stability" held January 29 in Rome, organized by the Italy-China Association. Several academics and representatives of the political world, the mass media, and diplomacy attended this moment of reflection, analysis, and even cultural dialogue offered by two prominent Chinese professors: Prof. Lai Yong Hai, President of the Institute of Studies on Chinese Culture at the University in Nanjing, Director of the Center for Studies on Religion and Culture at the University of Nanjing, and his pupil, Prof. Chen Yong Ge, Vice-President of the Institute of Philosophical Studies of the Social Academy of the Province of Zhe Jiang.
During his intervention on "Religion and Society," in particular "Religion and Chinese Society", Prof. Lai Yong Hai confirmed that "China today is particularly sensitive to the importance of religion. Not only for the integral growth of each person, which is the cell of society, but also so as to consolidate and develop the achievements of Chinese economic reform from the past three decades." Moreover, "institutions are coordinated to place social sciences at their foundation ... to determine the value and social function of religion in the context of building a harmonious society." "Religion plays a major role in this harmony that includes three dimensions: man with nature, man with man/society, and man with himself ....". In the Chinese culture, "Buddhism is inculturated with Confucianism, and has had more development and duration, even today it is still in a flourishing stage...”
Outside the Conference, Professor Lai told Agenzia Fides that he had founded and now directs a Center for Studies in the Philosophy of Life, in order to promote cultural dialogue with the best academics in China and abroad. The first phase of his research on the Philosophy of Life is on traditional Chinese religion. The second phase will involve a comparison with other religions and traditions, Christianity included. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 30/01/2010)
