Some Chinese entrepreneurs, who have risen to prosperity by starting from scratch, are more likely to resort to religious solutions for the various difficulties they may be facing, according to a recent report from China Newsweek.

Jack Ma (L1), owner of Alibaba.com and China's controversial Chi Kung Master Wang Lin(C).[File photo]

Religions are the deposit of human civilization; their universal philosophies and ethical codes vary, ranging from the concept of "karma," the Buddhist belief in retribution for previous sins, to the unity of mankind and Heaven in Taoism and the divine vocation in Christianity. All these doctrines may be considered by some entrepreneurs as indispensable to their company's operation and growth. Moreover, most religions preach fraternity, honesty, mutual assistance and virtue, which should theoretically benefit any corporate culture.

Rising entrepreneurs are generally individualistic characters, more ready to believe in mystical personal wonders than any icy cold science; these people are often energetic and inquisitive. They tend to be enthusiastic about metaphysics, religion being a case in point.

Jack Ma (Ma Yun), owner of Alibaba.com, explained his recent visit to China's controversial Chi Kung Master Wang Lin as follows, "Exploring, appreciating and inquiring about the unknown is my hobby. Even magic contains profound mysteries behind its appearance."

The pressure on the entrepreneurs resulting from their commercial troubles is one probable explanation for their new-found solution to all of life's trials and tribulations. A survey conducted by the Development Research Center of the State Council showed how 70.5 percent of Chinese entrepreneurs occasionally exhibit signs of "frets and volatile tempers," and 62.7 percent said they were "extremely exhausted." Those who claimed to sometimes get "depressed," "doubtful," "frustrated" and "pessimistic," respectively accounted for 37.6, 33.1, 28.6 and 16.5 percent among those who took the poll.

The masters' preaching may be ill-intentioned, but those masters themselves may be scam artists, too. Yet the entrepreneurs seem to gain some benefit from their interactions with these masters, i.e. peace of mind. By the same token, these entrepreneurs tend to pay extra homage to religion.

Johnson Controls' China Division President Yang Yizang used to focus on nothing else but his work. "I fear to lose that; I cannot afford that," he would explain. Under pressure and suffering from anxiety, he turned to Jesus and learned to slow things down. Yang hence quit alcohol and started spending more time with his family. He once noted, "I guess the world shall remain the same if I don't respond to my emails on weekends."

Burson-Marsteller's Beijing Office Manager David Wolf is a self-disciplined practitioner of Judaism. He has said everyone needs to balance work with life, and having faith undoubtedly helps. "I can accept working 50-60 hours a week, but have to spend one day a week with God and my family."

Likewise, Shi Yuzhu, founder of online game developer and operator Giant Interactive, said he would go to Tibet to talk to the Lamas whenever his business suffered downturns. "You want to believe in Buddha when you cannot grasp your own fate, just like fishermen experience at sea," he said.

There are entrepreneurs who seek for a quick solution through religion. Their self-proclaimed faith in deities stems mostly from their own greed and worries about their own evil doings.

Religious entrepreneurs tend to bring their faith into their corporate management. This sometimes goes to such extremes, it can foster corporate dictatorship.

In the case of Hainan Airlines, President Chen Feng, a Taoist, has set up a tight hierarchy in the company while inflicting his own religious frenzy upon his subordinates. Under his Taoist influence, company managers at all levels must own a Taoist robe just to please him; disobedient employees will be punished.

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)