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This book presents the welfare regime of China as a liminal space where religious and state authorities struggle for legitimacy as new social forces emerge. It offers a unique analysis of relations between religion and state in the People's Republic of China by presenting how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) tries to harness Buddhist resources to assist in the delivery of social services and sheds light on the intermingling of Buddhism and the state since 1949. This book will appeal to academics in social sciences and humanities and broader audiences interested in the social role of religions, charity, NGOs, and in social policy implementation. The author explores why the CCP turns to Buddhist followers and their leaders and presents a detailed view of Buddhist philanthropy, contextualized with an historical overview, a regional comparative perspective, and a review of policy debates. This book contributes to our understanding of secularity in a major non-Western society influenced by religions other than Christianity.

Religion and China's Welfare Regimes: Buddhist Philanthropy and the State

1. China's social security system from 1949 to 2012.- 2. The main social policies under XI JINPING.- 3. Religious work and philanthropy from 1949 to 2002.- 4. Religious charity and civil society under HU and XI.- 5. The institutionalization of Buddhism since 1949.- 6. Buddhism and the CCP since 1949.- 7. Toward a national Buddhist Philanthropic association.- 8. The duty of serving the Public interest.- 9. A sketch of regional systems analysis.- 10. The nine regions of Han Buddhist Philanthropy.- 11. Buddhist philanthropy from the bottom up.- 12. The REN'AI charity foundation.