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Congenital cataract is a crystallin severe blinding disease and genetic factors in disease development are important. Crystallin growth is under a combination of genes and their products in time and space to complete the coordination role of the guidance. Congenital cataract-related genes, included crystallin protein gene (CRYAA, CRYAB, CRYBA1/A3, CRYBA4, CRYBB1, CRYBB2, CRYBB3, CRYGC, CRYGD, CRYGS), gap junction channel protein gene (GJA1, GJA3, GJA8), membrane protein gene (GJA3, GJA8, MIP, LIM2), cytoskeletal protein gene (BF-SP2), transcription factor genes (HSF4, MAF, PITX3, PAX6), ferritin light chain gene (FTL), fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and so on. Currently, there are about 39 genetic loci isolated to which primary cataracts have been mapped, although the number is constantly increasing and depends to some extent on definition. We summarized the recent advances on epidemiology and genetic locations of congenital cataract in this review.

To compare the effect of propofol versus urapidil on hemodynamics and intraocular pressure during anesthesia and extubation for ophthalmic patients.Eighty-two surgical patients (Class: ASA I-II) were randomly assigned to propofol (n=41) and urapidil groups (n=41). Their gender, age, body mass, operation time and dosage of anesthetics had no significant difference between the two groups (P0.05). The patients of propofol and urapidil groups were given propofol (1.5mg/kg) and urapidil (2.5mg/kg) respectively; and two drugs were all diluted with normal saline to 8mL. Then the drugs were given to patients by slow intravenous injection. After treatment, the patients were conducted immediate suction, tracheal extubation, and then patients wore oxygen masks for 10 minutes. By double-blind methods, before the induction medication, at the suction, and 5, 10 minutes after the extubation, we recorded the systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), pH, PaO(2), PaCO(2), SaO(2) and intraocular pressure (IOP) respectively. The complete recovery time of the patients with restlessness (on the command they could open eyes and shaking hands) was also recorded during the extubation. The data were analyzed by using a professional SPSS 15.0 statistical software.The incidence of cough, restlessness and glossocoma was significantly lower in the propofol group than that in the urapidil group after extubation (P0.05). There were no episodes of hypotension, laryngospasm, or severe respiratory depression. There was no statistical difference in recovery time between two groups (P0.05). In propofol group, the BP and HR during extubation and thereafter had no significant difference compared with those before induction, while they were significantly lower than those before giving propofol (P0.05), and had significant difference compared with those in urapidil group (P0.05). Compared to preinduction, the BP of urapidil group showed no obvious increase during aspiration and extubation. The HR of urapidil group had little changes after being given urapidil, and it was obviously increased compared with that before induction. The stimulation of aspiration and extubation caused less cough and agitation in propofol group than that in urapidil group (P0.05). The IOP of propofol group showed no obvious increase during extubation compared with that in preinduction, while in the urpidil group, extubation caused IOP significantly increased (P0.05). The changes in these indicators between the two groups had no significant difference (P0.05).Compared to urapidil, propofol is superior for preventing the cardiovascular and stress responses and IOP increases during emergence and extubation for the ophthalmic patients. Moreover, it has no effects on patient's recovery.

Retinoblastoma (Rb) is the most common eye cancer in children and it can be inherited. Rb is quite rare and originators from the neural retina with a significant genetic component in etiology, which occurs in approximately 1 in every 20 0000 births. In children with the heritable genetic form of Rb, there is a mutation on chromosome 13, called the retinoblastoma 1 (Rb1) gene. Early diagnosis and intervention is critical to the successful treatment of the Rb. The Rb1 gene is the first cloned tumor suppressor gene. As a negative regulator of the cell cycle, Rb1 gene could maintain a balance between cell growth and development through binding to transcription factors and regulating the expression of genes involved in cell proliferation and differentiation. Thus, it is involved in cell cycle, cell senescence, growth arrest, apoptosis and differentiation. We summarized the recent advances on the epidemiology and Rb1 gene of Rb in this review.

We have carried out a bibliometric analysis on the development of ametropia literature to determine its growth rule and tendency, and to provide the basis for the problems related to ametropia research.Literatures that contained the descriptors of ametropia in title or paper published before Nov. 10, 2010 in PubMed databases (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Pubmed) were selected. As bibliometric indicators of ametropia, biomedical journals referring to ophthalmology by ISSN were calculated. The principal bibliometric indicators: Price's and Bradford's laws were applied on the increase or dispersion of scientific literature, the participation index of languages and the journals. By means of manual coding, literatures were classified according to documents study and statistical analysis.The literatures cited in ametropia, astigmatism, myopia and hypermetropia had accumulated to 26475, which consists of Review (n=1560), Randomized Controlled Trial (n=776), Practice Guideline (n=10), Meta-Analysis (n=23), Letter (n=1222), Editorial (n=328), Clinical Trial (n=1726) and Others (n=20830), and Humans (n=23073), Animals(n=1434) and others (n=1968). 1136 literatures were included in PubMed Central, 22384 in MEDLINE and 2955 in others. The ametropia literatures rose every 5 years which of the ametropia-year cumulated amount of the literatures had three periods: before 1900, slowly increasing from 1901 to 1950, rapidly rising from 1951 to 2010 (increased approximate exponentiation exponent). Sixty kinds of languages listed in PubMed databases, of which English is dominant for aborting to ametropia research documents before 2010 (77.32%, 20471/26475). The document languages of top eight account for 95.58% (English, German, French, Japanese, Russian, Italian, Spanish, Chinese), and others for 4.42% (1171/26475). The SCI database includes 48 ophthalmologic journals and the impact factor of 39 journals is ≥1 on Thomson-Reuters in 2010. Of 48 ophthalmologic journals, there were 14785 documents (55.85%) of ametropia, astigmatism, myopia, and hypermetropia. Others were without exception.The bibliometric analysis results show that ametropia literature are increased progressively, approximate exponentiation exponent during 1951-2010. In addition, ametropia research has become more popular since nearly half century.

To investigate the genetic association between schizophrenia and polymorphism of D-amino acid-oxidase (DAAO) gene.A total of 112 parent/offspring trios in which the proband met the Amerecan Classification and Diagnostic Criteria for Mental Disorders (Fourth Revised Edition) were included in this study. Correlation analysis between schizophrenia and DAAO gene polymorphism and haplotype relative risk analysis were conducetd by using PCR and SNP typing in all the nuclear families.The rs3918347 allele was correlated to schizophrenia (P = 0.014). Allele A was a protective factor (Z = -2.37) and allele G the hazard factor (Z = 2.37). The frequency of rs3918347 allele A was 0.41 and that of the allele G was 0.59. The rs3741775, rs3825251 and rs4964770 alleles were not associated with schizophrenia. Three haplotypes of C/G in the rs3825251-rs3918347, G/T in the rs3918347-rs4964770, C/G/T in the rs3825251-rs3918347-rs4964770 were associated with schizophrenia (P = 0.021, 0.036, and 0.028, with genotype frequencies of 0.33, 0.28, and 0.15, respectively).The nucleotide polymorphism of DAAO gene is associated with schizophrenia in Chinese population.

To study the chemical constituents from the ethyl acetate portion of an ethanolic extractive of the leaves of Aeschynanthus mengxinensis.The column chromatographic techniques were applied to isolate constituents. A combination of IR, ESI-MS, NMR and 2D-NMR spectroscopy was used to identify structures.Four compounds were isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction of this plant, and the structure of them have identified as 2alpha, 3beta, 19beta-trihydroxyolean-12-ene-23,28-dioic acid (1), 2alpha, 3beta, 21beta-trihydroxyolean-12-ene-28-oic acid (2), 2alpha, 3beta, 23-trihydroxyurs-12-ene-28-oic acid (3) and stigmast-5 (6), 22 (23)-diene-3beta-ol (4).The NMR data of compound 1 was completely assigned by 2D-NMR techniques, including HMBC and HMQC. Compounds 1-4 were isolated for the first time from Gesneriaceae.

To find out the optimum extract process for Ligusticum chuanxiong in Gan-ning Granule, and studyed the methods of concentration and dry for the extract.With the yield of ferulic acid as the assessment index, to optimize the 80% alcohol totalling, extracting times and circumfluence time for extract process by the orthogonal design, to optimize the inlet-air temperature, feed speed and density of feed for spry drying by the orthogonal design.The optimum procedure was the ferulic acid were extracted for 1 hour with 3 times of 80% alcohol. While extracting times effected it most porminently. The optimal processing conditions of spry drying were inlet-air temperature 120 degrees C, feed speed 8.5 mL x min(-1) and density of feed 1.15, While feed speed effected it most porminently.The experimental results provide the basis for the extraction process and drying process of the ferulic acid in ligusticum chuanxiong.

To study the effect of stigma maydis polysaccharide (SMPS) on gastrointestinal movement.Taking charcoal as the indicator and taking ratio of charcoal movement, beginning time of black excretion and stool amount as the index to observe the effect of SMPS on intestinal movement in mice. Taking emthylorange as the indicator and taking the ratio of residual rate of methylorange as the index to observe the effect of SMPS on gastric emptying in mice. Taking methylene blue as the indicator and taking the time of gastric emptying and movement speed of intestinal content as the index to observe the effect of SMPS on gastrointestinal movement in rats. Observing the changes of cholecystokinin (CCK) level in plasm in rats.Compared with control, the ratio of charcoal movement increased in mice (P0.01). The beginning time of black excretion shortened and the stool amount increased in mice (P0.01). The ratio of residual rate of methylorange increased in mice (P0. 01). The time of gastric emptying prolonged in rats (P0.01). The movement speed of intestinal content in rats accelerated (P0.01). CCK level in plasm increased in rats (P0.05).Effects of stigma maydis polysaccharide on gastrointestinal movement are probably related to the increasing of CCK level in plasm.

Twelve compounds were isolated from the EtOAc-soluble and ButOH-soluble portions of the EtOH extract from the bark of Mitragyna rotundifolia. These compounds were identified by their spectral data as dauricine (1), 3,4-dihydroxybezoic acid (2), beta-sitosterol (3), scopleton (4),3,4,5-trimethyoxyphenol-1-glucopyranoside (5), taraxerol (6), 4-hydroxy-3-methyloxybenzoic acid (7), 3-hydroxy-4-methyloxybenzoic acid (8), caffeic acid (9), gambirine (10), gambireine (11),1,1-dimetheyl-2-acetl-diethyl ether (12), respectively. All compounds were isolated from this genus for the first time.

Humic substrates are a major fraction of sediment organic matters, and the sorption of hydrophobic organic chemicals by humic substrates influences their behavior and fate in sediment. In this paper, organic matters were divided into non-humic substrates and humic substrates. Non-humic substrates include acid leaching fraction, acid extracted fraction, and lipid; humic substrates were fractionated into Ca-binding-FA (fulvic acid), Ca-binding-HA (humic acid), oxide-FA, oxide-HA, and humin. To study the effect of organic fractions on sorption properties, sorption kinetic and equilibrium sorption experiments of phenanthrene and pentachlorophenol (PCP) in five sediments were carried out. The results showed that the contents of acid leaching fraction and oxide-binding-HA were the main fractions to affect the sorption rate constant, and for the sorption capacity of phenanthrene, humin was the major fraction, followed by oxide-binding-HA, oxide-binding-FA, and so on. While for PCP, the factors of influence on sorption capacity were mainly CEC, Ca-binding-FA, and Ca-binding-HA.

Studies on synthesis and antibacterial activity of new heterocycles.The cyclocondensation of [(3-pyridyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl] thio acetic acid with various aroyl hydrazines in the presence of POCl3 and xylene gave the corresponding titled compounds, and the in vitro antibacterial activity was primarily evaluated by the method of cupplate diffusion solution.Sixteen novel titled compounds were synthesized, their structures were confirmed by IR, 1HNMR, MS and elemental analysis. Biological screening results demonstrated that most of the compounds prepared displayed potential antibacterial activity.Oxadiazoles incorporting pyridyl oxadiazole ring may be usefully antibacterial candidate drugs.

The potential role of genetic intervention extends from diseases caused by single gene defects, through severe viral infections, to polygenic disorders, such as diabetes mellitus and arteriosclerosis. However, gene therapy can be defined as the introduction and expression of an exogenous gene in human cells for therapeutic benefit, and is conventionally restricted to human diseases associated with single gene defects. There are wider opportunities for genetic intervention and these include strategies to reduce or block gene expression as well as the introduction of nonmammalian genes. The rapid progress in our understanding of some of the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of cancer and metabolic disorders, coupled with the development of gene delivery vector technology, has urged us to consider novel genetic approaches to digestive diseases. There is no shortage of ideas and applications for genetic intervention in human diseases, but there are great limitations not only with the efficiency and targeting of the present generation of gene transfer vectors but also with our incomplete understanding of transcription control.

SPE Member Abstract This paper reports a new drilling fluid system—positive sol drilling fluid (PSDF). The electrokinetic behaviour, rheological properties and the ability to inhibited clay swelling of positive sol (PS) and PSDF were studied. It was found that PSDF might form weak negative system and positive system under different conditions, and the gel strength and rheological parameters of PSDF could also be adjusted to meet drilling technology demands by changing the ratio of clay-sol. Both PS and PSDF demonstrate high inhibition ability, and PSDF can be treated with conventional additives. In this paper, the field test results of PSDF are introduced as well. Introduction As the methodical study on drilling fluids properties and mechanism of borehole stability was undertaken, Importance of electrokinetic properties of drilling fluids came to be realized. Clay particles possess negative charges, the electrostatic repulsive interaction between negatively charged clay particles increases with increasing negative charges, thus promoting dispersion, which don't benefit penetration and borehole stability. All traditional drilling fluids are negatively charged systems, some anionic additives used, such as FCLS, SMK, may increase the negative charges of clay particles, causing shale dispersion and Liborehole destabirty. In order to solve these problems, some cationic additives are used to decrease the negative charges of particles, therefore to increase shale inhibition and borehole stability. It was reported that cationic additives, such as cationic polymer, Amphoteric polymer and mixed metal hydroxide compounds (MMH), have been developed, and field evaluations all confirm superior benefits although the mechanism dealing with clay inhibition is different from each other. Since 1986, we have been studying the application of posItive sols in drilling fluids, a series of PS products, available for drilling fluids, have been developed, introducing a new kind of drilling fluids, i.e. PSDF. PS can be prepared from metal oxides, metal hydroxides, mixed metal oxides and mixed metal hydroxides, which has high colloid stability and zetal potential high up to + 30 + 60mV. In drilling fluids, positively charged particles can associate with negatively charged clay particles, forming stable gel structure. Simultaneously, PS can also decrease the negative charges of clay particles, forming weak negative system or positive system, which is beneficial to borehole stability. In another word, PS can stabilize the drilling fluid itself and borehole simultaneously. P. 569

To study the effects of Rheum tanguticum polysaccharide(-1) (RTP(-1)) on ulcerative colitis in rats induced by 2, 4, 6-trinitrophene sulphonic acid (TNBS) and their possible mechanism.RTP1 (200 mg.kg(-1), i.g.) extracted from Rheum tanguticum Maxim. ex Regel was administrated to rats with colitis induced by TNBS for 5 d, 7 d, 10 d and 14 d, respectively. The effects of RTP1 and dexamethasone (DX, 0.2 mg.kg(-1), i.g.) were contrastively investigated. The MPO level and SOD activity were determined by chromatometry. The expansion and protein expression of CD4+T lymphocytes isolated from colon mucosae and mesenteric lymph nodes of colitis rats were performed by immunohistochemical analysis and Western-blot methods.Treatments of RTP1 (200 mg.kg(-1), i.g.) significantly reduced diarrhea, mortality, colon mass, ulcer areas and MPO level in colon mucosae on days 5, 7, 10 and 14 (5.2+/-1.4, 5.4+/-0.7, 5.2+/-1.8, P0.05. 3.4+/-0.8, P0.01. 16.1+/-12.1, P0.01. 31.8+/-8.6, 17.7+/-5.3, 12.7+/-4.1, P0.05). The effects of RTP1 were similar to those noted above in DX group, but there were no immunosuppressive effects of DX in RTP(-1) group, such as body mass loss, thymus and spleen atrophy. The decreased number and down-regulated protein levels of CD4+T cells isolated from the colon of colitis rats treated with RTP1 were found.RTP1 shows significantly protective effects but lower side effects on rats with colitis induced by TNBS. The mechanism may be due to the resistance to over expansion of CD4.

AIM:To study the effects and clinical significance of parenteral hyperalimentation on levels of serum motilin, peptide YY, IgG and glycoproteins in patients with severe ulcerative colitis. METHODS:Eighty-nine patients (males 51,females 38,age 23-57 years) with severe ulcerative colitis were examinated with colonoscope, barium enema, the diagnosis was confirmed histologically. Bacterial infection was excluded through twice consecutive stool cultures. And ameba, schistosomiasis, gastroentertinal cancer and endocrine diseases were also excluded. Ulcerative colitis was found in sigmoid (n =45), descending colon (n =21), colon splenic flexure (n =15) and transverse colon (n =8). Its clinical categories included relapse (n =44), persistent (n =30) and initial (n =15). Parenteral hyperalimentation was applied to patients once diagnosis was made; three days later, fasting venous blood was drawed to test serum motilin (MTL), peptide YY (PYY) and IgG by radioimmunoassy, and serum α1, α2 and γ glycoproteins by electrophoresis. RESULTS:After 4-week period therapy with parental hypernutrition,27 cases (30 %) recovered completely, 48 (54 %) improved, and 14(16 %) failed to therapy, the total effective rate was 84 %. Level of serum MTL, PYY, IgG, and α1-glycoprotein in colitis patients were significant higher than those in control, α 2-glycoprotein was lower than that in control ( P 0.05).Level of serum albumin was increased (P

Strengthen international academic cooperation and exchanges: prospects in the 21st century: Summary of the First World Chinese Congress of Digestion

Endoscopic evaluation of gastrointestinal tract lesions in patients with iron-deficiency anemia

Substance P, vasoactive intestinal peptide, and leu-enkephalin in plasma and gastric juice of patients with precancerous lesions and gastric cancer

Fo Guang Shan, “Buddha’s Light Mountain”, is a Buddhist movement founded in Taiwan in 1967 and led by the Ven Hsing Yun (b.1927), who had fled to Taiwan from mainland China in 1949. It stands in the Chinese tradition of Mahāyāna Buddhism and more specifically is a form of Buddhism which in English is usually referred to as “Humanistic Buddhism” or as “engaged Buddhism”. Humanistic Buddhism owes its origin to the Chinese monk Tai Xu (1890-1947). He found the Buddhism which surrounded him in China dreary and moribund, preoccupied with rituals for the dead, and offering nothing to help or guide people living in the world outside monasteries. His determination to reverse this decay centred on the idea that it was the vocation of a Mahayana Buddhist to do good to others, finding their own spiritual benefit in benefitting society. Hsing Yun has been a devoted disciple of Tai Xu. It is telling that he founded a seminary before he founded a monastery, and has laid huge emphasis on education. As the sub-title of this book indicates, in order to make Buddhism widely attractive and relevant he has incorporated every influence available. Gifted with a benign personality, he has turned his seemingly boundless energy and prodigious versatility to creating an institution which presents Buddhism as potentially a source for benefitting society through making life enjoyable. This book hopes to convey the movement’s ethos primarily by focusing on his views and activities.

This article presents a study of the main trends in the development of traditional Chinese philosophy in the XX–XXI centuries. The transformation of the ideas of Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism, influenced by Western thought are shown. The reasons for this transformation are indicated. The analysis of the philosophy of “new Confucianism” is given, the stages of its formation are revealed. There is presented the exposition of the teachings of the key representatives of the new Confucianism represented by three generations of followers of the teachings of Confucius, who were influenced by Western philosophers, especially I. Kant, A. Bergson, M. Heidegger. The philosophy of “new Confucianism” is charac­terized as a doctrine that tries to combine the traditional values of the West and the East, material and spiritual. The transformation of the ideas of Buddhism is re­vealed in the context of the analysis of the main provisions of modern Buddhism. The causes of the movement for the renewal of Buddhism are shown. There are given the views of the main ideologists of the renewal Yan Wenhui (1837‒1911), which called for democratizing Buddhist institutions, secularizing Buddhist educa­tion, using the achievements of Western culture, as well as his student Tai Xu (1894‒1947), who put forward the idea of humanistic Buddhism. The content of the idea of Tai Xu about humanistic Buddhism, the essence of which is to improve a person’s life in real reality, and not in future rebirth, as well as its need to serve the interests of society, is presented. The modernization of Taoism is shown in line with the general modernization of traditional Chinese philosophy, which focuses on humanistic values. It is shown that the modern development of the philosophy of Taoism affects all aspects of human life, both physiological and social. Particular emphasis is placed on the relationship between man and nature, man and society.

This article examines how modern Chinese Buddhism has been influenced by its interactions with the modern world. For our purposes, ‘modern Chinese Buddhism’ refers to a form of what has become known in the West as ‘Engaged Buddhism,’ but in Chinese is known by titles that can be translated as ‘Humanistic Buddhism’ or ‘Buddhism for Human Life.’ This tradition was initiated on the Chinese mainland between the two World Wars by the monk Tai Xu (1890–1947). Its main branches have flourished in Taiwan, whence two of them have spread worldwide. The most successful, at least in numerical terms, has been Fo Guang Shan (the Buddha’s Light Mountain) and Ci Ji (the Buddhist Compassion and Relief Society), the former founded by a personal disciple of Tai Xu, Xing Yun, the latter founded by Zheng Yan. Both of them are now very old but remain powerful charismatic leaders.

The chapter begins with the observation that Tai Xu was particularly critical of of contemporary Chinese Buddhism for devoting far too much attention to rituals for the dead and the income derived from performing those rituals, at the cost of doing the many things which would directly benefit the living. The authors then trace the history and development of the doctrine of Karma and note how all the Indian soteriologies – Brahminical/Hindu, Jain and Buddhist come to agree that since all lives are finite and a good rebirth will inevitably come to an end, the best solution – the only final one – is liberation. There then follows a discussion of the specifically Buddhist views regarding fate of the dead, the role of mortuary rites, sacrifice and ritual and the importance of the debates about the the the transfer of merit and the notion of intention. They argue that the link between karma and intention was broken in Mahāyāna teachings since, if one could acquire merit through some act of empathy, without even being aware of it, then the Buddha’s teaching that we are solely and wholly responsible for our own karma becomes less significant. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the concept of collective karma and whether it is implied in the Buddha's teachings or whether there are words for the concept in the traditional lexicons. The authors, in fact, conclude that the notion of collective karma that may be observed in aspects of contemporary Buddhism is an inheritance from Western esoteric speculations on the concept which first appeared in Helena Blavatsky's The Key to Theosophy (1889).

Goals. The article discusses the place and role of Buddhism in current sociopolitical strategies of China’s Communist Party. Results. The study shows that the CPC’s sociopolitical strategy is aimed at realizing the ‘Chinese Dream’ which implies scenarios as follows: building of ‘Socialism with Chinese characteristics under the new conditions’; ‘complete construction of a moderately prosperous society’; implementation of the ‘One Belt ― One Way’ project; establishment of ‘a community of shared future for mankind’ with other countries; creation of ‘a multipolar world’. The official ideology underlying the party’s strategy is Marxist philosophy. So, the paper reveals key stages in the development of Marxist philosophy in the context of China’s social and political landmarks. At the same time, significant attention is paid to traditional culture. Conclusions. The article concludes special importance in realizing the ‘Chinese Dream’ is given to the revival of cultural heritage essentially based on the ‘Three Teachings’ – Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. Buddhism is reported to still be of great importance in this heritage. The work gives insight into the modernization of Buddhist philosophical and soteriological principles that emerged in line with China’s new sociopolitical trends, and reveals the concept of ‘humanistic Buddhism’ put forward by Tai Xu, a leader of Renovated Buddhism, proves important enough to this modernization. Thus, the relationship between modernized Buddhism and the Communist Party rest on somewhat mutually beneficial basis: philosophical and worldview principles of Buddhism, its tolerance, and peaceful nature constitute a huge potential for its use in sociopolitical strategies of China’s Communist Party. The paper also emphasizes the role of Buddhism in foreign policies as a diplomatic factor of the Chinese government.

Hsing Yun 星雲 (1927–) is the charismatic founder of Fo Guang Shan 佛光山 (Buddha’s Light Mountain), one of the largest Buddhist organizations to emerge out of modern Taiwan. Following the example of his teacher, the respected modern Buddhist reformer Tai Xu 太虛 (1890–1947), Hsing Yun is known for popularizing “humanistic Buddhism,” a modern style of Buddhism that engages contemporary settings and commits to helping those in need. As a result, Hsing Yun has met with hundreds of political and religious leaders from around the world. Hsing Yun’s political stances and the organization’s notable wealth have occasionally brought criticism; however, he remains a venerated figure both in Fo Guang Shan’s transnational community and Taiwan.

Humanism has been defined as the faith in the supreme value of self-perfectibility of human personality. However, it broadly indicates to a shifting of focus from supernaturalism to naturalism, from transcendental to the existing, from absolute reality to the living reality. It has been contended that it is Buddhism that should be promoted as true humanism. Buddhism is the practice of peaceful and compassionate humanity towards each other and entire sentient beings in the universe. It is a religion of compassion, humanity and egalitarianism. Among other world religions, probably Buddhism has greater claim to declare itself as a humanistic religion. In Buddhism, humanism is that attitude of mind, which attaches primary importance to human beings.The term Humanistic Buddhism was first coined by Ven. Tai Xu and adopted by Master Hsing Yun. The primary goal of Humanistic Buddhism is to lead to the Bodhisattva practice, which means to be an energetic, enlightened and endearing person who strives to help sentient beings liberate themselves. Humanistic Buddhism focuses on issues of the world, caring for the living, benefiting others and universal salvation. It is the practical interpretation of theoretical Buddhism, which has become relevant in the modern world. It also emphasizes on application of wisdom that has been realized so far.The Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Order, which was founded by the Grand Master Hsing Yun, is dedicated to the development of Humanistic Buddhism. The Grand Master has provided active leadership and vision to the idea to turn it into the necessity of the modern world and benefit entire sentient beings. His leadership turned the idea of ‘Humanistic Buddhism’ into the universal movement.