Taoists urged to contribute to social harmony
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China's top political advisor, Jia Qinglin, Wednesday called on the country's Taoists to contribute to social harmony.
Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, made the call at a meeting with the newly elected leaders of the China Taoist Association (CTA)
He urged the association to promote and adapt the ideals of harmony embodied in classic Taoist works to socialist society.
Greater efforts must be made to encourage harmony between humanity and nature, and man and society, as well as mental harmony, said Jia, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.
He also urged the association to unite and lead Chinese Taoists to work to contribute to the all-round construction of a well-off society.
The association began its three-day eighth national congress on Monday and elected 16 leaders, including association president Ren Farong, secretary general Wang Zheyi and 14 vice presidents.
At the closing ceremony of the congress, Ren urged Chinese Taoist believers to adapt the religion to socialism and contribute to social and economic development.
The association reviewed its work since the last congress, mapped out tasks and objectives for the next five years, and adopted amendments to the CTA constitution during the congress.
A statement on the CTA website posted Wednesday said the CTA would work to revive pure Taoist belief among Taoist organizations and temples by wiping out money worship, hedonism and extreme individualism.
The Beijing-based association was established in April 1957.
