Involvement in Politics
Unlike most prominent Buddhist leaders in Taiwan who have withdrawn from making political statements or have kept them private, Hsing Yun is notable in openly involving himself with Taiwanese and Chinese politics, and is a prominent supporter of the One China policy. For example, in 2009 Hsing Yun exclaimed that there are "no Taiwanese" and that Taiwanese "are Chinese." during the second World Buddhist Forum, causing a rift between himself and those on the Pan-Green coalition. He has also encouraged reconciliation between China and the Dalai Lama, though he has distanced himself from the Dalai Lama in the past for fears of causing rifts between him and his organisation and the Chinese government. During the 2008 presidential election, Hsing Yun publicly endorsed Kuomintang candidate Ma Ying-jeou.
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Famous quotes containing the words involvement in, involvement and/or politics:
“The mother whose self-image is dependent on her children places on those children the responsibility for her own identity, and her involvement in the details of their lives can put great pressure on the children. A child suffers when everything he or she does is extremely important to a parent; this kind of over-involvement can turn even a small problem into a crisis.”
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“The real grounds of difference upon important political questions no longer correspond with party lines.... Politics is no longer the topic of this country. Its important questions are settled... Great minds hereafter are to be employed on other matters.... Government no longer has its ancient importance.... The people’s progress, progress of every sort, no longer depends on government. But enough of politics. Henceforth I am out more than ever.”
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