André LALIBERTÉ
Fei lai feng Buddha, from the Yuan dynasty (1279–1368). PHOTO BY JOAN LEBOLD COHEN
The currently Beijing-based Buddhist Association of China (BAC) was founded in Shanghai in 1927 by lay Buddhists who were inspired by reformist monks such as Taixu to defend their collective interests. The organization fell apart during the civil war and its factions split under Communist rule, but resumed activities in 1976 under the leadership of Zhao Puchu.
