Experts: Protection of intangible Buddhist heritage in China significant

Source: Xinhua | 03-30-2009 14:35

BEIJING, March 30 (Xinhua) -- Buddhist experts attending the World Buddhist Forum over the weekend called for enough attention to the protection and inheritance of the intangible Buddhist heritage.

"Buddhist culture is an important part of the intangible cultural inheritage in China," said Tian Qing, director of the research center for religious arts in the Chinese National Academy of Arts.

Tian said that Buddhist culture has a significant and profound impact on the forming of national character, behavior, aspirations and way of life.

Tian said 41 items related to Buddhist culture falling into 18 categories have been listed in the first and second batch of the national intangible cultural heritage, which were released by the Ministry of Culture in 2005 and 2008 respectively. These items include folk literature, traditional music and folk dance and drama.

"The Jing music in the Beijing Zhi Hua Temple dates back 500 years," said Tian Qing, "It is considered a living example of ancient Chinese music.