Australia’s Guan Yin Citta, a controversial Buddhist organization, has recently come under scrutiny amid allegations of foreign interference and tensions with the Chinese government. Lu Junhong had started the group in 2010. They boast of about 10 million worldwide followers, a number that has been heavily questioned by outlets such as expanding the base of skeptics. This has made Guan Yin Citta extraordinarily popular with Chinese nationals living abroad. Yet, in China, it is illegal, and most of its practitioners have been persecuted within the country.
Lu Junhong was born in Shanghai, where he studied traditional Chinese opera before coming to Australia in 1989 to study business. His own journey ultimately led him to found Guan Yin Citta, an organization based in the Mahayana tradition of Buddhism. Over the years, the organization has hosted large public talks in cities such as Los Angeles, further expanding its reach. Although Lu passed away in Sydney in November 2021, Guan Yin Citta has remained active and continued to entice followers.
The organization’s teachings have ignited backlash even in the larger Buddhist community. Critics argue that some of its beliefs diverge from traditional Buddhist tenets, with one group stating, “There has never been a high monk or learned Buddhist propagator who publicly self-proclaims to be the incarnation or spokesperson of a certain bodhisattva.”
Allegations of Foreign Interference
The Australian government has used foreign interference laws against Guan Yin Citta. A white woman was just charged with murder. She claimed to have accumulated intelligence on the group’s Canberra chapter for the People’s Republic of China (PRC). This most recent occurrence underscores the increased and continued strain between Australia and China on matters of national security and influence.
When pressed at China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on these developments, their spokesperson obfuscated eventually reverting to the line that China respects other nations’ sovereignty. The spokesperson stated, “We never interfere in other countries’ internal affairs, and in the meanwhile, firmly oppose any disruption to the normal people-to-people interactions, exchanges and cooperation between China and relevant country under the pretext of foreign interference.”
Analysts have argued that the Chinese government views groups such as Guan Yin Citta as destabilizing enemies. They fear that these groups might challenge the state’s monopoly on religion. Professor Ming Xia noted, “So, it will definitely intensify the very comprehensive infiltration, suppression, and threat to Tibetans, Xinjiang, Taiwanese, Hong Kong people, and exiled pro-democracy activists,” emphasizing the broader implications of such groups on regional stability.
The Impact of Guan Yin Citta
Guan Yin Citta is adamant that its teaching of reincarnation and karma helps cultivate values like compassion and altruism. The organization promotes practitioners’ recitation of Buddhist scriptures and life liberation activities. Its website states, “It encourages people to recite Buddhist scriptures, practise life liberation and make great vows to help more people.” These principles have struck a deep chord with many of its now over 100,000 followers, propelling this Occupy group’s growth.
Though it boasts of thousands of members, we’re left to wonder if this is at all true. According to Guan Yin Citta, it has 10 million adherents worldwide. According to the Chinese government, it’s only 3 million. This gap is a serious concern about the organization’s clout and reach.
Even critics from more traditional Buddhist backgrounds have raised cautions over Guan Yin Citta’s departure from orthodox practice. Professor Benjamin Penny remarked, “It comes out of the Buddhist tradition but that’s not to say it’s orthodox.” He further commented on the group’s current leadership dynamics post-Lu Junhong’s death, stating, “I don’t know who’s in charge now… he’s gone.” Given the significant change in leadership, this uncertainty may affect the organization’s future strategic direction.
Ongoing Legal and Social Challenges
Since Guan Yin Citta is on the borderline of outright illegality within China itself, and currently receives intense legal monitoring in Australia, it’s under extreme pressure. According to an Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago report, dozens of followers in China have been jailed for their support of the group. In 2017, one of those men received a five-year prison sentence. His criminal act consisted in printing and distributing texts related to Guan Yin Citta.
The Australian government’s actions against alleged foreign interference have added a layer of complexity to Guan Yin Citta’s operations. As Professor Penny explained, “When push came to shove, I’m not sure what the Chinese government thinks this group would potentially be able to do.” He noted that Beijing has a long history of trying to stamp out undertakings it cannot tame.
Guan Yin Citta plays a proactive role in tackling such challenges. Yet its reach and impact on Chinese nationals abroad continues to be a focal point for concern and discussion. Followers can quickly become trapped between their devotion to the institution and the consequences they face from their own state. According to Professor Penny, “They would see the government on the one hand and the other hand, a religious group they would be more loyal to.”
