China Living Buddha database nearly complete

China is nearing completion of a Living Buddha database with biographies of over 1,300 Living Buddhas residing in the country which analysts said could strike a blow to the Dalai Lama.

The online registration system contains the profiles of 1,311 individuals recognised as reincarnated Buddhas to help the public differentiate between real religious figures and fraudulent ones, the Buddhist Association of China (BAC) said.

The BAC first published details on 870 Living Buddhas in January.

The online system gives detailed information on Living Buddhas, including their photos, legal names and the number of Living Buddha certificates they have received, Global Times reported.

Reincarnation of Living Buddhas is a unique inheritance system in Tibetan Buddhism that originated in the 13th century. The BAC began issuing certificates to Living Buddhas in 2010.

Some people have been found to be using the guise of Living Buddhas to swindle followers out of money.

--IANS

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