Chinese Taoists in Cyber Era

In the 2,000-year tradition of her ancestors, Taoist nun Xuan Qing recites holy scriptures and prays in front of statues of gods every morning, the woody smell of incense filling her small room in Zixiao Temple. And after that, she logs onto the Internet for some quality time in cyberspace.

"We are in a new era, therefore we must learn to adapt to the changes of the times," said Xuan Qing, a lifelong Taoist. One of 43 Taoist nuns with the temple at Mount Wudang in central China, 36-year-old Xuan Qing has spent 20 years in this Taoist shrine.

Since the policy of religious freedom was resumed in China 20 years ago, 1,500 Taoist temples have re-opened to domestic and overseas followers of the faith. The tourists have exposed Taoists to the ways of the modern world, and they've kept Xuan close to her office in the temple, where as an elected member of the temple 's management committee, she organizes religious affairs, cultural protection activities and tourism promotion programs. "The computer and telephone help me a lot," she said, smiling. Taoism was founded in the second century by ancient philosopher Lao Zi and is known as the root of traditional Chinese culture. It is considered to be the earliest religion in China and was designated the "state religion" many times by feudal regimes throughout history.

The management committee of Zixiao Temple is under the jurisdiction of the Mount Wudang Taoist Association, a non- governmental, religious organization with 147 members. Wang Guangde, chairman of the association, is a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee. Wang is as experienced in operating the temple's tourism as he is in handling religious affairs. His association now runs businesses ranging from making of pharmaceuticals, commerce, catering to martial arts training courses. These activities rake in about 10 million yuan annually, most of which goes for repairing temples, protecting cultural relics and charitable offerings.

The grand ancient temple complex at Mount Wudang has been included on the world cultural heritage list by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. In the past 15 years, Taoists have raised 250 million yuan to renovate the ancient architecture. More than two million yuan has been donated to poverty-stricken areas, flood-hit regions and Project Hope, a program which returns young dropouts back to school.

Taoists on Mount Wudang have a monthly subsidy of 200 yuan ( about 24 U.S. dollars). "That's enough, as we mainly use the money to buy books," Xuan Qing said. The Taoist nuns do not use cosmetics nor wear robes every day, and they eat free meals in the temple dining hall. Taoists used to refine concoctions that they believed made people live longer, but the "immortality pills" are no longer made. The Mount Wudang Taoists Association now reimburses the nuns for their medical bills.

Researchers with the Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Society under the association have selected four ancient formulas of "immortality pills" and put them into mass production. "Taoism is thriving because of the current tolerant atmosphere in society," said the association chairman Wang Guangde.

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