Buddhist temples demolished, monks and nuns set to share a merged temple

Local authorities in Nanchang, Jiangxi province, plan to merge three temples into one, with Buddhist nuns and monks set to share the same residential area, cnr.cn reported.

Construction of the new temple, which covers an area of 40 mu (2.6 hectares), started in March 2014. The authorities of Xihu district in Nanchang intend to move the nuns and monks who previously lived in three smaller temples into the new site.

The move by local authorities has been heavily criticized by monks and nuns, noting that it is against the Buddhist traditions as well as the country's religious regulations.

Two of the temples have already been demolished, with monks temporally living in a primary school which is also soon to be demolished. The abbots of the temples said that it was impossible for nuns and monks to live in the same temple, and they will not move into the new temple even after it is built.

Officials from local authorities explained that monks and nuns will be separated into different halls and rooms in their new site, and that they will not have to share the same yard.

The plan is still under discussion, with the opinions of monks and nuns being fully respected by the authorities, officials added.