The design of China's first academic institute of Buddhism has recently been approved by the Buddhist Association of China and its construction will start in Yangzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province, in October this year.

Sources from the association said that the institute will provide undergraduate and post-graduate programs in a variety of fields including Buddhism study, management of temple affairs, and cross-cultural communication. It can accommodate approximately 1,250 students.

The institute is named after the Buddhism master Jian Zhen, a renowned hierarch in the Tang Dynasty (618-907), born in Yangzhou City, who was famous for his sermons in Japan.

Though blind when he arrived in Japan after five unsuccessful attempts, Master Jian Zhen was dedicated to transmitting his knowledge to the local society. He had significant influence on the Japanese Buddhism and culture.

The institute covers about 20.5 hectares with total investment of 400 million yuan (US$48 million).
 
(Xinhua News Agency March 22, 2004)