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 List of countries and dependencies by population, most populous country, with a Population of China, population exceeding 1.4 billion, slig ...

. Zhao was best known as president of the Buddhist Association of China and also one of the most renowned Chinese calligraphers. 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 and receiving the ''Grand Cordon of the Order of the Secret Treasure'' of Japan.

Honours

He was awarded the Niwano Peace Prize on April 9, 1985. Zhao was outspoken against Falun Gong 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