Zhao Puchu (November 5, 1907 – May 21, 2000) was a religious and public leader who promoted cultural progress and religious tolerance in

China China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population exceeding 1.4 billion, slightly ahead of India. China spans the equivalent of five time zones and ...

. Zhao was best known as president of the

Buddhist Association of China The Buddhist Association of China (BCA; ) is the official government supervisory organ of Buddhism in the People's Republic of China. The association has been overseen by the United Front Work Department of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) since ...

and also one of the most renowned Chinese

calligraphers Calligraphy (from el, link=y, καλλιγραφία) is a visual art related to writing. It is the design and execution of lettering with a pen, ink brush, or other writing instrument. Contemporary calligraphic practice can be defined as "t ...

. Zhao also served as vice chairman of the 9th National Committee of the

Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference The Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC, zh, 中国人民政治协商会议), also known as the People's PCC (, ) or simply the PCC (), is a political advisory body in the People's Republic of China and a central part of ...

and honorary chairman of 10th Central Committee of China Association for Promoting Democracy. He began his work in the 1930s, serving as secretary of the Buddhist Association of China. Zhao also worked to foster relations with Japan, serving as vice president of the China-Japan Friendship Association from 1958 to 1989, and working as an adviser to the association after. He led a Chinese religious delegation to Japan in 1992, meeting with then prime minister

Kiichi Miyazawa was a Japanese politician who served as Prime Minister of Japan from 1991 to 1993. He was a member of the National Diet of Japan for over 50 years. Early life and education Miyazawa was born into a wealthy, politically active family in Fukuyama ...

and receiving the ''Grand Cordon of the Order of the Secret Treasure'' of Japan.

Honours

He was awarded the

Niwano Peace Prize The Niwano Peace Prize is given to honor and encourage those devoting themselves to interreligious co-operation in the cause of peace and to make their achievements known. Its foundation hopes that the prize will further promote interreligious co-o ...

on April 9, 1985. Zhao was outspoken against

Falun Gong Falun Gong (, ) or Falun Dafa (; literally, "Dharma Wheel Practice" or "Law Wheel Practice") is a new religious movement.Junker, Andrew. 2019. ''Becoming Activists in Global China: Social Movements in the Chinese Diaspora'', pp. 23–24, 33, 119 ...

and supported its ban within China. He died in Beijing, aged 92, in May 2000.

Publications

* ''Answers to Common Questions about Buddhism'' * ''The Buddhism''

References

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Zhao, Puchu 1907 births 2000 deaths People from Taihu County Vice Chairpersons of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Republic of China Buddhists People's Republic of China Buddhists People's Republic of China politicians from Anhui Buddhist religious leaders 20th-century Chinese people Religious leaders in China