From the late 19th century to the first half of the 20th century,Lay Buddhists,led by Yang Wenhui and Ouyang Jian,have introduced the intellectual orientation, school system and values of modern education into Chinese Buddhism.With this, they redefined the content,form and subject of Buddhist transmission and remodeled the articulation between the sacred,knowledge and power in Chinese Buddhism. They not only consciously claimed the full religious status for Lay Buddhists but also formed a conviction group with its own independent apparatus and continuity.The emergence of this movement marked the birth of a Chinese modern Lay Buddhism with a veritable autonomy from Buddhist Sangha
