The Xishuangbanna in the southernmost prefecture of Yunnan Province has been a traditional crossroads of trade and culture.  It shares borders with Myanmar and the Lao PDR.  Although now part of China, until the mid-20th century, this region was politically autonomous, and consisted of a federation of kingdoms loosely held together under the leadership of a local ruler.  Ethnically diverse, the area is home to more than 14 different groups. The Tai Lue, who are the majority, comprise approximately 35% of the total population, and are devout Theravada Buddhists.

 

During the Cultural Revolution, temples all over China were either destroyed or transformed into structures with secular functions, such as schools or factories. The monks were defrocked, sometimes punished, and sent back to their homes and families.  It was not until 1982 that the practice of Buddhism was once again permitted.  Since the late 1980’s Buddhism in the Xishuangbanna experienced a widespread revival.  Villagers set about to rebuild the temples which had been destroyed, repair those that still existed, and, most important, revive the tradition of sending young boys into the temples to learn. 

 

Because so much of their knowledge had been lost, the Buddhist communities of the Xishuangbanna turned to northern Thailand and the Shan States in Myanmar for assistance to help replace the Buddha images which had been destroyed during the Cultural Revolution, help with the physical reconstruction of the temples themselves and reinvigorate teaching the Buddhist Dharma. 

 

While these external influences have helped to revive the places of Buddhist worship, their approach has also lead to the erosion of the local styles and techniques that marked the uniqueness of the Xishuangbanna.  The current trend in temple restoration is not in keeping with traditional Tai Lue style, and furthermore does not support the skill of local artisans who are still alive. 

The local Buddhist Association in the Xishuangbanna is an active and dynamic branch of the government Buddhist Association.  After learning about the Phase I pilot project in Luang Prabang, they expressed keen interest joining the project. The Xishuangbanna Buddhist Association has already identified former monks who are either sculptors or painters, and who can form the core of the project’s teaching team at this project site. 

 

Practical project work in Xishuangbanna will include the rehabilitation of a temple containing traditional Tai Lue architecture.