The Jade Buddha Monastery in Shanghai's bustling Jing'an District is not without controversies.

The century-old monastery attracts hundreds of visitors and pilgrims from home and abroad every day, just like other major monasteries nationwide. What makes it unique however is its success in keeping religion's spiritual purity in tune with the mundane desire for profits.

The temple, covering 1.3 hectares, has 280 monks including 120 masters.

In October, it hired a special property management company to run its everyday household chores.

A month later, it sent 15 of its monks to the Shanghai International Studies University to learn the most popular languages of foreign visitors.

And yesterday, 18 monks and lay Buddhists from Jade Buddha attended their first MBA class in Shanghai Jiaotong University, which launched a new MBA programme on running Buddhist temples.

Apart from ordinary MBA courses, the half-year programme offers seven lectures related to temple management, including philosophy and religious product marketing. Sun Tsu's Art of War and corporate strategy are also on the curriculum.

"Through this programme, we want to learn how the secular world is managed," said Chang Chun, head of the team and also general manager of the monastery.

He said he hopes to combine the management philosophies with Buddhist beliefs.

"We want to build our temple into a model monastery in a metropolis."

By saying that he means his temple is not shy of the commercial world.

At the monastery's entrance there are six Buddha statues, each with a plaque on which is inscribed the name of a donor of 10,000 yuan (US$1,200).

On an opposite wall are posters that look like advertisements, which inform visitors of the services offered by the temple - and of course, the price tag.

The services include cleansing and sanctifying private cars and membership of Buddhist organizations.

"These services cater to our visitors' needs," Chang Chun said.

Some people fear such activities may irritate visitors.

"The temple looks so market-oriented that its religious mystery is weakened," said Liu Jian, a visitor.

Wang Fanghua, president of the Antai Management School of Shanghai Jiaotong University, said that as a social organization in a busy commercial district, the temple needs efficient management.

But he warns against the trend towards over commercialism.

Hence its new MBA programme on running temples.

"Through this programme, we hope to make the monks aware that a profit-driven method in management will not always work," he said.

(China Daily September 7, 2005)