This Study put its purpose on searching the model for religious coexistence through the case study of Yunnan Province, China. Yunnan is known as a typical religious pluralistic society in China, and a good sample for the peaceful coexistence of religions.
This study, first of all, has researched the current situation of Yunnan’s religions with its geographical, demographical and racial analysis. The natural environments such as geography, topography, climate, and etc. in Yunnan are multifarious, and the people there have experienced the diversity itself as a natural and necessary condition for life. This environment and experience is also one of elements of religious diversity and coexistence in Yunnan, I believe. Also, Yunnan is the province of most numbers of minority peoples in China, in which there are 25 minority races along with the Han race. They not only believe in their native religions, but also religions from abroad such as Buddhism, Islam, Protestantism, and Catholicism. What is more, they reside together in whole regions of Yunnan. This style of living is another element of religious diversity.
Secondly, minority peoples in Yunnan met with religious conflicts when foreign religions were introduced for the first time, but they have found a good lesson for living together without religious problems. It was the personal and social relationship that they recognized as the most important point for family life and community. Religion for them was a private, not public, matter. This was the satisfactory condition for religious coexistence in Yunnan.
Thirdly, it was the religious policy of the government of Yunnan Province and local administrative organs that also have served for peaceful relations of religions. They provided the laws, regulations and institutions for preventing religious conflicts and resolving religious problems.
I suggested three correlated comments for the desirable model of religious coexistence as a conclusion. First of all, the most important thing is religious believer’s recognition that religious belief and activity are private matters, so they do not confuse their religious life with public matters. They do not have critical opinions of other religions and do not interfere their own activity even if they are one of their family members or neighbor or relative.
Secondly, we have to be cognizant of the fact that the coexistence of religions are inevitable and natural reality in most societies. Scholars in religions have to try to explain this fact from historical and phenomenological aspects.
Lastly, religious policy should provide the institutional system for impartial treatment to all religions to prevent religious conflict.