從「現代禪」到「淨土宗彌陀念佛會」 -- 一個宗教團體的轉型=From “Modern Chan Society” to “Amitabha Buddha Recitation Society”: The Transformation of a Religious Movement in Taiwan
In 1989 Li Yuansong established " Modern Chan Society",advocated scientific rationalism and the principle of empiricism, and held a different standpoint to the carnal desire and the Indian ancient discipline" and other discipline. Resting on personal pious life and religious experience, Li Yuansong made the religious doctrine of the group, and proposes the reform of tradition Buddhism. Because of the confrontation with Buddhism in interpretation of classicals, there is always tension between “Modern Chan Society” and traditional Buddhism. “Modern Chan Society” and Buddhism''s argument focal point mainly revolved around four subjects. Even after the group practiced a moral teachings and Li Yuansong took a ceremony of proclaiming converted to Master. Yingshun , such tension still existed and was never improved. In October, 2003, Li Yuansong published a public letter, canceled the sect system, converted to a master of Pure Land sect, and renamed the group to be “Amitabha Buddha Recitation Society”. After 15 years of development and tension, Modern Chan Society completely terminates. This transformation involves not only the name of the group, and organizational changes, but also the doctrines and the identity of its members. Although the history of Modern Chan Society is almost under the tension with traditional Buddhism, Li Yuansong’s public letter actually left the members "A future of no debts ".