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Redefining the Consciousness and Identity of Lay Buddhist Order - The Concept of “Bodhisattva Sangha” 

Yunchang Liu (PhD student, University of the West, USA) 

ABSTRACT

Bodhisattva Sangha, a term particularly referring to the order of lay Buddhist practitioners, was a unique and crucial denomination which emerged in twentieth-century China. The concept, however, probably existed in Buddhist history as early as the transformation to Mahayana Buddhism and was endorsed by the doctrinal establishment later. Now, it starts to facilitate some lay Buddhist orders to gain their autonomous position in modern era, which differs from the traditional monastic order for monks and nuns. The Bodhisattva Sangha idea attempts to form a parallel community modeled on the traditional monastic order. In focusing on self-consciousness and identity, as a new autonomous organization, this type of lay community challenges its traditional position as an inferior community to the traditional Buddhist Monastic order and tries to develop an innovative model for the lay practitioners.

The paper examines the textual and doctrinal foundations for the development of the Bodhisattva Sangha. This study will reshape our understating of the essence of lay Buddhism and the historical development of the traditional monastic order. Especially supported by the case study extracted from the modern era, this paper presents a preliminary investigation on this significant lay Buddhist concept. The paper also will address the question about the future direction of modern lay Buddhist movement in general.

CURRICULUM VITAE

YUNCHANG LIU (JACKY)

Cell: 1-626-679-2217
Email: liuyunchang@gmail.com
Address: 1409N. Walnut Grove Ave.
Rosemead, CA 91770, USA

GENERAL INFORMATION

Gender: Male  
Date of Birth: Sep. 19, 1972
Place of Birth: Fujian, China

CURRENT STATUS

PhD in Religious Studies, concentrating on Buddhist Studies & Chinese Buddshism.
University of the West
1409N, Walnut Grove Ave, Rosemead, California, U.S.A.

EDUCATION

- Diploma of Graduate Buddhist Studies(finished course work & thesis)
- University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, conducted by Singapore Graduate School in Buddhist Studies, Gelang, Singapore, Sep. 2001- Jun. 2002.
- Concentrations: early Buddhism, the interdisciplinary study of Buddhism.
- Thesis: Cannibalism, Performance Art, Mind State and Direction-A Controversial Performance. Adviser: Dr. Peter D. Santina.
- M.A. in Comparative Literature
- Fujian Normal University, China, Jul. 1997-Sep. 1994.
- Concentrations: the foreign influence on Chinese modern literature.
- Thesis: A Comparative Study of Chinese Classical Prose and Western Essays. Adviser: Prof. Wen, Zuyin(Chair), Prof. Li, Wanjun.
- B.A. in Chinese Literature and Language
- Fujian Normal University, China, Jun. 1994 – Sep. 1990.
- Major: classical Chinese literature, Chinese language.
- Thesis: A Research on He Qifang’s Prosaically Poem, May, 1994. Adviser: Dr. Wang, Wending.

WORK EXPERIENCE

- Chinese Teacher, Ministry of Education, Singapore, Jan. 2001 – Dec. 2003
- Northbrooks Secondary School, Yishun, Singapore.
- Course taught: Chinese Language, Sec.1 – 4, 3 levels.
- Faculty, Chiense Department, Xiamen Educational College, Sep. 1997- Dec. 2000
- Teaching western literature and culture courses;
- Chinese department couse coordinator;
- National college lecturer certificate.