“A Brief Discussion on ‘Carrying Out Education in Patriotism, Collectivism, and Socialism in Religious Circles, with Targeted Reinforcement of Education in Party History, the History of New China, the History of Reform and Opening Up, and the History of Socialist Development’”

I

一

In October 2017, at the 19th National Congress of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping, in addressing “strengthening ideological and moral construction,” set forth the task of “strengthening education in patriotism, collectivism, and socialism.” [1]1 The 19th National Congress of the CPC was held in October 2017; Xi Jinping delivered the report. On January 8, 2020, at the concluding meeting of the “Staying True to Our Original Aspiration and Founding Mission” education campaign, General Secretary Xi Jinping issued a mobilization order to the entire Party to “study Party history, the history of New China, the history of reform and opening up, and the history of socialist development.” [2]2 The “Staying True to Our Original Aspiration and Founding Mission” education campaign was a Party-wide initiative launched in 2019. Throughout 2021, Party organizations at all levels, in the context of celebrating the centenary of the Party’s founding, carried out a large-scale Party history study and education campaign of unprecedented scope, achieving notable results.

2017年10月，习近平总书记在中共十九大报告中就“加强思想道德建设”提出了“加强爱国主义、集体主义、社会主义教育”的任务。2020年1月8日，习近平总书记在“不忘初心、牢记使命”主题教育总结大会上，向全党发出“学习党史、新中国史、改革开放史、社会主义发展史”的动员令。2021年全年，中共各级党组织在庆祝建党百年之际，整体开展声势空前的党史学习教育活动，取得了显著成效。

In April 2021, following the earlier launch of the “Four Entries” activity in religious venues nationwide in accordance with the spirit of the 2016 National Conference on Religious Work and the Regulations on Religious Affairs, China’s nine national religious groups jointly issued the “Common Initiative on Carrying Out the ‘Love the Party, Love the Country, Love Socialism’ Theme Education” (hereinafter referred to as the “Initiative”). [3]3 The “Four Entries” activity refers to the entry of the national flag, the Constitution and laws, core socialist values, and the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind into religious venues. It called for “focusing on studying the history of the CPC, while also studying the history of New China, the history of reform and opening up, and the history of socialist development” within the “Three Loves” theme education. As a key measure to fulfill the tasks set by the 19th National Congress of the CPC and to respond to the Party Central Committee’s initiative on studying the “Four Histories,” the Initiative received an enthusiastic response from religious figures and believers in China.

2021年4月，继全国宗教场所根据2016年全国宗教会议精神和《宗教事务条例》已经开展了“四进”活动之后，我国九个全国性宗教团体联名发出《关于开展“爱党爱国爱社会主义”主题教育的共同倡议》（以下简称《倡议》），要求在“三爱”主题教育中“重点学习中国共产党历史，同时学习新中国史、改革开放史、社会主义发展史”。《倡议》作为完成中共十九大确定的任务和呼应中共中央关于“四史”学习活动的重要举措，得到我国宗教界人士和信教群众的热烈反响。

On December 3, 2021, at the National Conference on Religious Work, General Secretary Xi Jinping, when discussing “deeply advancing the Sinicization of religion in China,” emphasized that “education in patriotism, collectivism, and socialism should be carried out in religious circles, with targeted reinforcement of education in Party history, the history of New China, the history of reform and opening up, and the history of socialist development.” [4]4 The National Conference on Religious Work was held in December 2021. This marked the first time the Party Central Committee, building on its previous relevant deployments to the entire Party and society as a whole and its full affirmation of the “Three Loves” theme education in religious circles, integrated education in patriotism, collectivism, and socialism with education in the “Four Histories,” presenting a more concentrated and clearer learning requirement for religious circles. It should be said that, at a time when the Party history study and education campaign within the CPC was still deepening, General Secretary Xi Jinping’s specific directive for religious circles to successively carry out interconnected study and education activities reflects the Party Central Committee’s high regard, special concern, and earnest expectations for China’s religious circles. For the field of religious work, General Secretary Xi Jinping’s requirement has set a new round of action guidelines for upholding the Party’s political leadership over the patriotic united front in the New Era, consolidating the political prerequisite for the patriotic united front with religious circles, and guiding religious circles to continuously raise their ideological awareness and political stance. Resolutely implementing General Secretary Xi Jinping’s requirement is the duty of religious figures, who must, as citizens of the state, actively strengthen their own ideological and moral construction, and, as the main bridge and bond between the Party and government and the masses of believers, consciously accept the cultivation of correct political concepts and the test of political position.

2021年12月3日，习近平总书记在全国宗教工作会议上谈及“深入推进我国宗教中国化”的时候，强调“要在宗教界开展爱国主义、集体主义、社会主义教育，有针对性地加强党史、新中国史、改革开放史、社会主义发展史教育”。这是党中央在此前面向全党全社会做出一系列相关部署和完全肯定宗教界“三爱”主题教育的基础上，第一次将爱国主义、集体主义、社会主义教育同“四史”教育贯串融合在一起，对宗教界提出的更加集中、更加明确的学习要求。应该说，在中国共产党党内的党史学习教育活动仍在深化之时，习近平总书记专门布置宗教界接续开展内涵相通的学习教育活动，体现了党中央对我国宗教界的高度重视、特别关怀和殷切期待。对于宗教工作领域而言，习近平总书记的要求，为新时代坚持中国共产党对爱国统一战线的政治领导，巩固同宗教界爱国统一战线的政治前提，引导宗教界不断提高思想觉悟和政治站位，确定了新一轮的行动指南。坚决落实习近平总书记的要求，是宗教界人士既要作为国家公民主动加强自身思想道德建设，又要作为党和政府与信教群众之间桥梁纽带的主体，自觉接受正确政治观念培养和政治立场检验的职责所在。

Within the broader framework of the Party’s united front work, the Central Committee’s expectations for representative figures in religious circles have always been “politically reliable, accomplished in religion, morally convincing to the masses, and effective at critical moments”—that is, a specific standard formed by a combination of indicators: political direction, professional competence, personal morality, and major performance. [5]5 This is a standard formulation for evaluating religious figures in the united front system. Among these, the political indicator is the primary and fundamental condition; the moral indicator has an inherent connection with the political indicator and also communicates with the professional indicator inherent to each religion; the cumulative total of these first three indicators becomes the decisive factor for meeting the fourth indicator. Today, as the first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects has been declared achieved, and the new journey toward the second centenary goal of building a great modern socialist country in all respects has begun, “carrying out education in patriotism, collectivism, and socialism in religious circles, with targeted reinforcement of education in Party history, the history of New China, the history of reform and opening up, and the history of socialist development” is of great significance. It helps religious figures, guided by the core socialist values, strive to meet higher political and moral standards that align with the needs of united front work in the New Era and the common needs of believers, more rapidly advance the Sinicization of religion in a manner suited to the New Era, ensure they play a role in both ordinary times and critical moments, and “better organize and guide the masses of believers to unite and strive together with the broad masses of the people for building a great modern socialist country in all respects and realizing the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.”

在党的统战工作大格局中，中央对宗教界代表人士的期许，从来是“政治上靠得住、宗教上有造诣、品德上能服众、关键时起作用”，即由政治方向指标、专业能力指标、个人道德指标和重大绩效指标组合形成的特定标准。其中，政治指标是首要的、基本的条件，道德指标则与政治指标有着内在的关联，也与本宗教固有的专业指标相互沟通；前面这三项指标的总值累加起来，又成为满足第四项指标的决定要素。在全面建成小康社会的第一个百年奋斗目标宣告实现，全面建成社会主义现代化强国的第二个百年奋斗目标新征程随之开启的今天，“在宗教界开展爱国主义、集体主义、社会主义教育，有针对性地加强党史、新中国史、改革开放史、社会主义发展史教育”，对于宗教界人士以社会主义核心价值观为引领，努力达到符合新时代统战工作和信教群众共同需要的更高政治标准和道德标准，更快推动与新时代相适应的宗教中国化进程，做到平时和关键时一样起作用，“更好组织和引导信教群众同广大人民群众一道为全面建成社会主义现代化强国、实现中华民族伟大复兴的中国梦而团结奋斗”，都具有十分重要的意义。

II

二

So, what is the relationship between the “two educations” being carried out simultaneously?

那么，同时开展的“两个教育”，相互之间是怎样的关系呢？

In brief, it might be said this way: Education in patriotism, collectivism, and socialism provides the correct value orientation coordinates for China’s religious circles to adhere to the Sinicization of religion; education in Party history, the history of New China, the history of reform and opening up, and the history of socialist development is the endogenous driving force that ensures education in patriotism, collectivism, and socialism achieves its desired effects.

简而言之，也许可以这样说：爱国主义、集体主义、社会主义教育是为我国宗教界坚持宗教中国化提供正确的价值取向坐标，党史、新中国史、改革开放史、社会主义发展史教育是保证爱国主义、集体主义、社会主义教育达到理想效果的内生动力源泉。

“Correct value orientation coordinates” constitute a multidimensional system formed by the core socialist values. We know that the core socialist values advocate prosperity, democracy, civility, and harmony as the value requirements at the national level; freedom, equality, justice, and the rule of law as the value requirements at the social level; and patriotism, dedication, integrity, and friendship as the value requirements at the individual level. [6]6 The core socialist values were formally articulated at the 18th National Congress of the CPC in 2012. By strengthening the concepts of patriotism, collectivism, and socialism in religious circles through study and education activities, the hope is to start from individual moral norms, linking the realization of value requirements at the individual level with the responsibilities religious figures bear for realizing value requirements at the social and national levels, integrating them into a unified whole. As a contemporary sublimation and innovative development of the progressive ideal paradigm of “cultivating oneself, regulating the family, governing the state, and bringing peace to all under heaven” in traditional Chinese ethics, this is intended to inherently play the indispensable role of a measurement benchmark for the entire socialist core value system in the behavioral process of the subjects practicing the Sinicization of religion. [7]7 “Cultivating oneself, regulating the family, governing the state, and bringing peace to all under heaven” is a classical Confucian ideal from the Great Learning. That is to say, patriotism, collectivism, and socialism are the real-time yardsticks that ensure the contemporary Sinicization of religion in China always maintains the correct direction. Through specialized education, China’s religious circles will certainly become more proactive and adept at using this set of yardsticks, providing precise and reliable target assurance for the Sinicization of religion.

“正确的价值取向坐标”，是一个由社会主义核心价值观构成的多维体系。我们知道，社会主义核心价值观所倡导的富强、民主、文明、和谐是国家层面的价值要求，自由、平等、公正、法治是社会层面的价值要求，爱国、敬业、诚信、友善是公民层面的价值要求。通过学习教育活动强化宗教界爱国主义、集体主义、社会主义观念，就是希望从个人道德规范入手，将实现公民层面的价值要求与宗教界人士对实现社会层面和国家层面价值要求所担负的责任连成一气、汇成一体，作为中华传统伦理“修齐治平”递进型理想范式的当代升华和创新发展，在宗教中国化实践主体的行为过程中，内在地发挥整个社会主义核心价值体系不可或缺的度量基准作用。也就是说，爱国主义、集体主义、社会主义是使我国当代宗教中国化始终保持正确方向的实时标尺。经过专题教育，我国宗教界必定会更加主动、更加熟练地使用这组标尺，对于宗教中国化实行精准可靠的目标保障。

Studying Party history, the history of New China, the history of reform and opening up, and the history of socialist development, on the other hand, continuously transmits the most affinity-filled, infectious, persuasive, and driving empirical support to education in patriotism, collectivism, and socialism, thereby opening up logical and rational thinking channels for the educated to obtain accurate cognitive conclusions. In other words, education in the “Four Histories” uses the real-life process of the CPC leading the Chinese people from standing up and growing prosperous to becoming strong as the best textbook for education in patriotism, collectivism, and socialism. It allows religious figures to naturally comprehend the genuine truth that “in contemporary China, the essence of patriotism is the high degree of unity between loving the country, loving the Party, and loving socialism,” and to understand the objective law that contemporary Chinese religion must be subordinate to and adapt to the development of China’s socialist society. In this sense, the requirement for Party members studying Party history—“studying history to understand principles, studying history to increase confidence, studying history to promote virtue, and studying history to practice action”—is also a positive effect that the study and education activities in religious circles should and can achieve. [8]8 This is a standard slogan from the Party history study campaign of 2021.

而学习党史、新中国史、改革开放史、社会主义发展史，则是向爱国主义、集体主义、社会主义教育源源不断地传送最有亲和力、感染力、说服力、推动力的实证依托，并由此为受教育者获得准确的认知结论，开辟合乎逻辑和理性的思维通道。换句话说，“四史”教育是用中国共产党领导中国人民从站起来、富起来到强起来的现实历程作为爱国主义、集体主义、社会主义教育的最佳教材，让宗教界人士自然而然地领悟到“当代中国，爱国主义的本质就是坚持爱国和爱党、爱社会主义高度统一”的真切道理，领悟到当代中国宗教必须从属和适应中国社会主义社会发展的客观规律。在这样的意义上，对中共党员的党史学习提出的“学史明理、学史增信、学史崇德、学史力行”，也是宗教界学习教育活动应该求得并且能够求得的积极效应。

Patriotism is the starting point and focal point of education in patriotism, collectivism, and socialism for religious circles. Patriotism nurtures collectivism, and collectivism inspires patriotism. Education in patriotism should be used to subsume education in collectivism. Transcend the constraints of egoism and “small-groupism,” [9]9 “Small-groupism” (小团体主义) refers to a tendency to prioritize the interests of a narrow group over those of the broader collective, often criticized in CPC discourse as a deviation from socialist collectivism. linking and aligning concern for personal interests and service to the collective interests of one’s own religious community with concern for and service to the collective interests of the broader masses of the people. Transform the “compassionate vows,” “benefiting living beings,” “universal kindness,” and “great love” extolled by religious sentiment—just as in ordinary poverty-alleviation and education-support efforts, caring for orphans and the elderly, and every emergency disaster rescue, including the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic—into collective good deeds that relieve hardship and share the nation’s burdens at any time and any place. Make the good moral character advocated by one’s own religion compatible and integrated with the socialist ethos of “all for one and one for all,” [10]10 “All for one and one for all” (人人为我，我为人人) is a slogan promoting socialist mutual aid and collective responsibility, derived from the writings of the French socialist Pierre-Joseph Proudhon and later adopted in Chinese socialist propaganda. thereby invigorating the spirit of patriotism in the New Era and contributing to the growing prosperity and strength of the socialist motherland, which bears the life community of the Chinese nation. Use education in socialism to enrich education in patriotism. Enable those being educated to recognize that “China’s patriotism has always developed around the goal of achieving national prosperity and the people’s happiness, ultimately converging into socialism with Chinese characteristics,” and therefore “it is necessary to uphold the unity of patriotism and socialism”—that is, in contemporary China, to be patriotic necessarily means to love socialism. And the essential characteristic of Chinese socialism lies in the leadership of the Communist Party of China; fundamentally, the fate of the motherland, the fate of socialism, and the fate of the Party are inseparable. Hence, patriotism and love for socialism inevitably manifest as love for the Party, wholehearted support for the Party’s leadership, and sincere obedience to the Party’s guidance. The “Three Loves” [11]11 “Three Loves” (三爱) refers to love for the Party, love for the country, and love for the faith (爱党、爱国、爱教), a theme promoted among religious circles in China. theme education initiative of national religious organizations requires that the study of the “Four Histories” [12]12 “Four Histories” (四史) refers to the history of the CPC, the history of the New China, the history of reform and opening up, and the history of socialist development. in education should focus on Party history, precisely reflecting the grasp of this key issue.

爱国主义是宗教界爱国主义、集体主义、社会主义教育的出发点和着力点。爱国主义涵养集体主义，集体主义激发爱国主义。要用爱国主义教育融摄集体主义教育。超越利己主义和“小团体主义”束缚，把为个人利益着想和为所处宗教社群的群体利益服务，与为更广大人民群众的集体利益着想和服务衔接起来、一致起来。把宗教情怀所推崇的“悲愿”“利生”“普慈”“大爱”，像平素的扶贫助教、抚孤安老及每次突发灾难救援和此次抗击新冠疫情一样，随时随地化现为解危济困、为国分忧的集体主义善行；使本宗教所主张的良好道德品格与“人人为我，我为人人”的社会主义风尚相即相融，促进新时代爱国主义精神蓬勃焕发，助力承载着中华民族生命共同体的社会主义祖国愈益繁荣昌盛。要用社会主义教育充实爱国主义教育。使受教育者认识到，“我国爱国主义始终围绕着实现民族富强、人民幸福而发展，最终汇流于中国特色社会主义”，因此“必须坚持爱国主义和社会主义相统一”，即在当代中国，爱国必然要爱社会主义。而中国社会主义的本质特征在于中国共产党的领导，从根本上说，祖国的命运、社会主义的命运与党的命运密不可分，所以爱国、爱社会主义又必然表现为爱党，全心全意拥戴党的领导，正心诚意服从党的指引。全国性宗教团体“三爱”主题教育《倡议》要求在教育中开展的“四史”学习应以党史为重点，正体现了对这个关键问题的把握。

The concurrent implementation of education in the “Four Histories” alongside education in patriotism, collectivism, and socialism naturally requires a firm grasp of the focus on Party history education. Integrate the study of the history of the New China, the history of reform and opening up, and the history of socialist development into the review and understanding of the CPC’s century-long history of struggle, its historical achievements, and its historical experience. See clearly why we were able to succeed in the past, and understand how we can continue to succeed in the future, thereby deepening heartfelt identification with and love for the great motherland, the Chinese nation, Chinese culture, the CPC, and socialism with Chinese characteristics. Connect this with one’s own growth experiences in the New China and one’s honorable position within the patriotic united front led by the CPC. See clearly why one must assume and how to fulfill one’s responsibilities and mission toward the country and the people. Understand what social role one’s own religion should play on Chinese soil in the future. Thus, never forget the sacred duties of Chinese citizens that religious figures are legally obligated to perform, and never forget to promote the adaptation of one’s own religion to the New Era in all respects, keeping pace with the progress of the country and the people on the new journey of socialist modernization. Constantly motivate oneself to walk in the front ranks of the Sinicization of religion, carrying the sense of belonging, dignity, and honor of being a member of the Chinese nation.

当前与爱国主义、集体主义、社会主义教育同时进行“四史”教育，顺理成章地也要把握好党史教育这个重点。要将新中国史、改革开放史、社会主义发展史的学习，结合进对中共百年奋斗历史道路、历史成就、历史经验的回顾认知当中，看清楚我们过去为什么能够成功，弄明白未来我们怎样才能继续成功，从而增进对伟大祖国、中华民族、中华文化、中国共产党、中国特色社会主义发自内心的认同与热爱。要联系自己在新中国的成长经历和在中国共产党所领导的爱国统一战线中的光荣地位，看清楚自己为什么要承担和怎样承担对国家对人民的责任使命，弄明白本宗教今后要在中国土地上扮演什么样的社会角色，从而念念不忘身为宗教界人士所应当依法奉行的中国公民神圣义务，念念不忘推动本宗教从各方面与新时代相适应，与社会主义现代化建设新征程上国家和人民的前进步伐相契合。时刻激励自己携带着中华民族一分子的归属感、尊严感、荣誉感，走在宗教中国化的第一阵列里。

III

三

Patriotism is the most distinct background color and the most precious gene of China’s excellent traditional culture. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out: “Over more than five thousand years, the reason the Chinese nation has been able to withstand countless unimaginable risks and trials, maintaining vigorous vitality, passing on its heritage from generation to generation, is inseparable from the Chinese nation’s deep and enduring tradition of patriotism.” [13]13 This quotation is from Xi Jinping’s speech at a symposium on the 100th anniversary of the birth of Comrade Hu Yaobang, November 20, 2015.

爱国主义是中华优秀文化最鲜明的底色、最宝贵的基因。习近平总书记指出：“五千多年来，中华民族之所以能够经受住无数难以想象的风险和考验，始终保持旺盛生命力，生生不息，薪火相传，同中华民族有深厚持久的爱国主义传统是密不可分的。”

Religious circles, in carrying out education in patriotism, collectivism, and socialism and the “Four Histories” education activities with a focus on Party history, possess abundant traditional and cultural resources to draw upon. Although in the long and vast historical river of the Chinese nation from ancient to modern times, the ideological consciousness and concrete manifestations of patriotism and serving the country centered on safeguarding and defending the orthodoxy and territory of dynasties had certain limitations due to the times, their magnificent moral principles and extraordinary spirit possess timeless value. Countless heroic sons and daughters of the Chinese nation have shaped for us countless brilliant models of loyalty to the motherland and love for China. Among them, many predecessors and sages in the history of China’s religions were equally worthy exemplars and promoters of lofty patriotic morality and spirit, and part of these countless models of loyal patriotism.

宗教界开展爱国主义、集体主义、社会主义教育和以党史为重点的“四史”教育活动，自身拥有丰厚的传统资源和文化资源可供运用。虽然在中华民族从古代到近代悠远汗漫的历史长河中，以维护捍卫王朝道统疆域为中心的爱国报国的思想意识和具体表现，由于时代原因而带有某些局限性特点，但其磊落磅礴之道义、卓绝伟岸之精神，都具有超越时代的不朽价值；无数中华民族的英雄儿女，为我们塑造了无数忠于祖国、爱我中华的光辉典范。其中，我国宗教历史上的许多前辈先贤，一样不愧是崇高爱国道义和精神的体现者、弘扬者，也是无数忠诚爱国典范的一部分。

If a “Historical Record of Patriotism in Chinese Religious Circles” were compiled, it could list a series of representative figures from various religions who have shone brightly in the world. Especially after China was reduced to a semi-colonial and semi-feudal society from the mid-19th century onward, facing increasing oppression and humiliation from foreign powers and the country’s growing poverty and weakness year after year, they were deeply distressed and rose up in indignation. Together with the broad masses of the people, they tenaciously resisted, vowing to save the nation’s fortunes, leaving indelible marks in the history of China’s old democratic revolution and modern religious history. By the period of the new democratic revolution, patriotic religious circles unhesitatingly became a member of the revolutionary united front. Many religious figures and believers, under the leadership and inspiration of the CPC, contributed tangible strength—even shedding blood and sacrificing their lives—to the construction of red base areas and the Party’s work in white areas, [14]14 “White areas” (白区) refers to regions under the control of the Kuomintang (Nationalist Party) during the Chinese Civil War (1927–1949), where the CPC operated underground. to the Red Army’s unprecedented Long March, and to the final victory of the War of Resistance Against Japan and the War of Liberation. After the birth of the New China, patriotic religious circles underwent trials and achieved significant progress in eliminating the influence of imperialist forces within China’s religions, abolishing religious feudal privileges and systems of oppression and exploitation, and making Chinese religions an independent, self-managed mass undertaking of Chinese religious believers. A large number of representative figures from religious circles enthusiastically supported and personally participated in the socialist revolution and construction, resolutely safeguarded national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and actively played an irreplaceable and important role within the broader patriotic united front. The spirit and tradition of patriotism were carried forward under socialist conditions, and the understanding that “only socialism can save China, and only socialism can develop China” gradually took root in the hearts of people in religious circles.

如果编撰一部《中华宗教界爱国史册》，可以写出一系列彪炳于世的各宗教代表人物。尤其在中国从十九世纪中叶沦为半封建半殖民地社会以后，面对列强欺侮压迫日甚一日，国家积贫积弱年复一年，他们痛心疾首，奋袂而起，和广大人民群众一道，顽强抗争，誓挽国运，在中国旧民主主义革命史和近代宗教史上留下了难以磨灭的印记。迨至新民主主义革命时期，爱国宗教界义无反顾地成为革命统一战线的一员。许许多多宗教人士和信教群众，在中国共产党的领导、感召下，为红色根据地建设和党在白区的工作，为红军完成前无古人的长征壮举，为抗日战争和解放战争的最后胜利，贡献了实实在在的力量，甚至付出了鲜血和生命。新中国诞生后，爱国宗教界又在清除我国宗教内部的帝国主义势力影响，废除宗教封建特权和压迫剥削制度，使中国宗教成为中国宗教信仰者独立自办的群众事业方面，经受了风雨锻炼，取得了长足进步。大批宗教界代表人士热情支持、亲身参加社会主义革命和建设，坚决维护国家主权和领土完整，在更广泛的爱国统一战线中积极发挥不可替代的重要作用，爱国主义精神和传统在社会主义条件下得到新的发扬光大，“只有社会主义才能救中国，只有社会主义才能发展中国”的认识在宗教界日渐深入人心。

Entering the historical period of reform and opening up, China was placed amid profound and drastic social transformation and a complex and volatile international situation, and the religious situation also underwent tremendous changes. Under the guidance of the Party’s basic policy on religious work, [15]15 The Party’s basic policy on religious work (党的宗教工作基本方针) was formally established in the early 2000s and emphasizes the freedom of religious belief, management of religious affairs according to law, independence and self-determination of Chinese religions, and adaptation of religion to socialist society. new and old representative figures in religious circles continued to hold high the banner of patriotism and love for the faith, steadfastly upholding the overall situation of ethnic unity, national unification, and social stability. Facing severe situations such as overseas infiltration, the spread of cults, and the rampant “three forces,” [16]16 “Three forces” (三股势力) refers to terrorism, separatism, and religious extremism, a term used by the Chinese government to describe threats to national security, particularly in Xinjiang. they firmly stood on the side of the country and the people, writing a new chapter in supporting the CPC, loving the socialist motherland, supporting reform and opening up, and adhering to independence and self-determination. Through expanding foreign exchanges, they increasingly displayed the cultural features of “pluralistic harmony” and “harmonious coexistence” in Chinese religions, presenting to a world plagued by religious conflict a Chinese example of “the scenery here is uniquely good.” [17]17 “The scenery here is uniquely good” (风景这边独好) is a line from a poem by Mao Zedong, “The Long March,” written in 1935, often used to contrast China’s stability with turmoil elsewhere.

进入改革开放历史时期，中国置身深刻剧烈的社会转型和错综复杂的国际形势之间，宗教状况也发生巨大变化。在党的宗教工作基本方针指引下，宗教界新老代表人士继续高举爱国爱教旗帜，坚守民族团结、祖国统一、社会安定大局，面对境外渗透、邪教蔓延、“三股势力”猖獗等严峻事态，牢牢站稳国家和人民立场，谱写了拥护中国共产党、热爱社会主义祖国、支持改革开放、坚持独立自主的新篇章；并越来越多地通过扩大对外交流，展示中国宗教“多元通和”“和合共生”的文化风貌，向宗教冲突不绝的世界呈现出“风景这边独好”的中国范例。

All these deeds and experiences are historical treasures that can be drawn upon at any time for today’s education in patriotism and Party history study, and they are undoubtedly especially cherished by people in religious circles.

所有这些事迹、这些经验，都是今天开展爱国主义教育和党史学习可以随时取精用宏的历史财富，毫无疑义地受到宗教界人士的格外珍视。

IV

四

After the 18th National Congress of the CPC, socialism with Chinese characteristics entered a New Era. The New Era “is a new historical orientation for China’s development” and is a historic new starting point with milestone significance in the CPC’s century-long journey and the millennia-long plan of the Chinese nation. At this point, the Chinese nation is irreversibly approaching the historic moment of its great rejuvenation. The CPC has established the guiding status of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. The Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core insists on integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with the best of traditional Chinese culture, systematically answering, from the combination of theory and practice, the epochal question of what kind of socialism with Chinese characteristics to uphold and develop in the New Era and how to uphold and develop it. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is the Marxism of contemporary China and the Marxism of the twenty-first century. In less than ten years since the 18th National Congress, the cause of the Party and the state has, under the guidance of this thought, achieved all-round, pioneering historic accomplishments and undergone profound, fundamental historic changes. The Two Establishments, together with these historic accomplishments and historic changes, mark that our Party has experienced a major overall leap, mark that at the specific historical node of the CPC’s century-long struggle, a generational continuation of the history of New China, the history of reform and opening up, and the history of socialist development has occurred, and have created an era’s wealth that is in no way inferior to any historical wealth from ancient times to the modern and contemporary periods and to the period before the 18th National Congress, and is particularly fresh and abundant. Placing this era’s wealth in the representative symbolic position of all our historical wealth forms the finishing touch and the keystone of education in patriotism, collectivism, and socialism and education in the “four histories.”

党的十八大以后，中国特色社会主义迈进新时代。新时代“是我国发展新的历史方位”，是中共百年征途、千年大计中具有里程碑意义的历史新起点。中华民族于此不可逆转地日益接近伟大复兴的历史时刻。中国共产党确立了习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的指导地位。以习近平同志为核心的党中央坚持把马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合、同中华优秀传统文化相结合，从理论和实践的结合上系统回答了新时代坚持和发展什么样的中国特色社会主义、怎样坚持和发展中国特色社会主义的时代课题。习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想是当代中国的马克思主义、二十一世纪的马克思主义。十八大以来不到十年时间，党和国家事业就在这一思想指导下取得全方位、开创性历史成就，发生深层次、根本性历史变革。“两个确立”连同这些历史成就和历史变革，标志着我们党迎来了一次重大的全局性飞跃，标志着在中共百年奋斗的特定历史节点上对新中国史、改革开放史、社会主义发展史的一次代际赓续，又创造出一份相比于古代到近现代再到十八大以前的任何历史财富都毫不逊色且尤为新鲜丰沛的时代财富。将这份时代财富放在我们全部历史财富的代表性标识位置，就形成了爱国主义、集体主义、社会主义教育和“四史”教育的点睛之笔、拱心之石。

In the study and education activities among religious circles, it is necessary to emphasize a profound understanding of the decisive significance of the Two Establishments and the practice of the Two Upholds; it is necessary to emphasize a correct understanding of the historic accomplishments and historic changes in the cause of the Party and the state, including work in the religious sphere, since the 18th National Congress; and it is necessary to emphasize a deep grasp of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, including the Party’s theories, policies, and guidelines on religious work in the New Era. Without this, the entire study and education activities will lose their soul and deviate from the expected effects. When organizing and inspecting study and education activities, representative figures in religious circles and religious work departments should pay special attention to this issue.

在宗教界的学习教育活动中，必须强调对于“两个确立”决定性意义和践行“两个维护”的深刻理解，必须强调对于十八大以来党和国家事业包括宗教方面工作取得历史性成就、发生历史性变革的正确认识，必须强调对于习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想包括新时代党的宗教工作理论和方针政策的深入领会。不如此，整个学习教育活动就会失去灵魂，背离预期的效果。宗教界代表人士和宗教工作部门组织、检查学习教育活动时，应该特别关注这个问题。

Five

五

The “Resolution on the Major Achievements and Historical Experience of the Party’s Century-Long Struggle” (hereinafter referred to as the “Resolution”) adopted by the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the CPC on November 11, 2021, summarizes the glorious journey of the CPC and the brilliant achievements it has led the people to attain, summarizes the Party’s valuable experience in advancing revolution, construction, and reform, highlights the New Era as the focus, and summarizes the theory and practice of the Party’s and the state’s endeavors since the 18th National Congress, that is, the historic accomplishments, historic changes, and fresh experience accumulated. The Resolution very timely provides a comprehensive, accurate, and concise authoritative textbook of general principles for carrying out education in patriotism, collectivism, and socialism and education in the “four histories.” The study of the Resolution and the simultaneous conduct of the “two educations” should be incorporated into unified arrangements, the activity plan should be optimized in a coordinated manner, and a serious grasp of the spirit of the Resolution should be taken as a swift pathway and powerful driving force for the study and education activities to achieve early results. We see that religious circles are taking action on this, which is encouraging and worthy of praise.

2021年11月11日中共十九届六中全会通过的《关于党的百年奋斗重大成就和历史经验的决议》（以下简称《决议》），总结了中国共产党走过的光辉历程和带领人民取得的辉煌成就，总结了党推进革命、建设、改革的宝贵经验，突出新时代这个重点，总结了党的十八大以来党和国家事业砥砺奋进的理论和实践，亦即取得的历史性成就、发生的历史性变革和积累的新鲜经验。《决议》非常及时地为开展爱国主义、集体主义、社会主义教育和“四史”教育提供了一部十分全面、十分准确、十分凝练的总纲性权威教材。要将学习《决议》与同步进行“两个教育”纳入统一安排，统筹优化活动计划，把认真领会《决议》精神作为学习教育活动早见成效的迅捷途径和强大推动力。我们看到，宗教界正在就此付诸行动，令人鼓舞，值得点赞。

Six

六

The conduct of education in patriotism, collectivism, and socialism and education in Party history, the history of New China, the history of reform and opening up, and the history of socialist development among religious circles is part of the spirit of the 2021 National Conference on Religious Work. The spirit of the conference is an organic whole, which is not only in the same line as the spirit of the 2016 National Conference on Religious Work but also the latest crystallization of the theory and practice of religious work since the 18th National Congress, and is the general outline and general guideline for doing a good job in religious work in the New Era. Therefore, the study and education activities of religious circles should also be closely linked to the complete, accurate, and comprehensive implementation of the spirit of the 2021 National Conference on Religious Work, and the requirement of “purposefulness” that General Secretary Xi Jinping specifically proposed when deploying education in the “four histories” to religious circles should be implemented one by one. Since 2018, China’s five major religions have successively formulated five-year plans for adhering to the direction of Sinicization, in which concepts, styles, systems, and behaviors within each religion that do not conform to the general goal of Sinicization and are not conducive to the healthy inheritance of religions in the New Era have been exposed and rectified. The 2021 National Conference on Religious Work clearly adhered to a problem-oriented approach, once again sorted out the key tasks of religious work, and also put forward the requirement of “comprehensive and strict governance of religions” to religious circles. In the process of implementing the “five-year plans,” religious circles should leverage the favorable wind of completely, accurately, and comprehensively implementing the spirit of the National Conference on Religious Work, further mobilize problem awareness, purposefully draw on relevant content from the “four histories,” and inspire and drive each religion to respond tit-for-tat to the various challenges faced in adhering to Sinicization and the construction of religious ethos. It is necessary to consider factors such as historical differences, cultural differences, regional differences, and ethnic differences realistically according to the different situations and existing problems of each religion. While using unified textbooks for universal, covering, and general education, specific educational plans should be refined according to the religion, the locality, and the “person” (specific audience), teaching methods should be flexibly selected, and typical experiences should be promptly promoted; existing examples from the religion, region, and ethnicity should be appropriately used, and the excellent elements and beneficial concepts of traditional Chinese culture should be creatively transformed into a nutrient base in which contemporary Chinese religions can be immersed, making education in the “four histories,” with Party history education as the focus, a spiritual weapon conducive to solving the prominent problems of each religion. Through the practical results of self-purification by religious circles and the self-construction of religious groups, the political and cultural effectiveness of raising the ideological realm of belief subjects and refreshing the macro appearance of each religion should be fully demonstrated.

宗教界进行爱国主义、集体主义、社会主义教育和党史、新中国史、改革开放史、社会主义发展史教育，是2021年全国宗教工作会议精神的一部分，而会议精神是一个有机整体，既与2016年全国宗教工作会议精神一脉相承，又是党的十八大以来宗教工作理论和实践的最新结晶，是做好新时代宗教工作的总纲要、总遵循。因此，宗教界的学习教育活动还要与完整、准确、全面贯彻2021年全国宗教工作会议精神紧密联系起来，把习近平总书记向宗教界部署“四史”教育时特意提出的“有针对性”的要求一一落到实处。2018年开始，我国五大宗教先后制定了坚持中国化方向的五年规划，其中对各宗教存在的不符合中国化总目标、不利于新时代宗教健康传承的观念、作风、制度、行为有所曝光，有所整治。2021年全国宗教工作会议明确坚持问题导向，再度梳理了宗教工作的重点任务，还向宗教界提出了“全面从严治教”的要求。宗教界要在实施“五年规划”的过程中，借重完整、准确、全面落实全国宗教工作会议精神的东风，进一步调动问题意识，有针对性地援用“四史”中的有关内容，启发带动各宗教针锋相对地回应坚持中国化及教风建设面临的各种挑战。要分别根据各宗教不同情况和存在的不同问题，实事求是地考量历史差异、文化差异、地域差异、民族差异等因素，在利用统一教材进行普遍性、覆盖性、通识性教育的同时，因教制宜、因地制宜、因“人”（特定受众）制宜地细化具体教育方案，灵活选择施教方法，及时推广典型经验；恰当运用本宗教本地区本民族现成例证，并把中华传统文化中的优秀成分和有益理念创造性转化为可供当代中国宗教浸润其中的营养基，使以党史教育为重点的“四史”教育成为有助于破解各宗教突出问题的一束精神利器，通过宗教界自我萃化和宗教团体自身建设的实践成果，充分彰显其提高信仰主体思想境界、刷新各宗教宏观面貌的政治文化效能。

The above discussion involves a rough understanding from six aspects of “carrying out education in patriotism, collectivism, and socialism among religious circles, and purposefully strengthening education in Party history, the history of New China, the history of reform and opening up, and the history of socialist development”: First, implementing General Secretary Xi Jinping’s requirements is the duty of religious circles and has important significance; Second, the relationship between education in patriotism, collectivism, and socialism and education in the “four histories”; Third, religious circles possess abundant historical wealth that can be used for study and education activities; Fourth, it is necessary to emphasize a correct understanding of the Two Establishments and the historic accomplishments and historic changes in the cause of the Party and the state since the 18th National Congress; Fifth, incorporating the study of the Resolution of the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the CPC and the “two educations” into unified arrangements; Sixth, strengthening the purposefulness of education and responding to the various challenges faced in the Sinicization of religions and the construction of religious ethos.

以上所述，涉及从六个方面对于“在宗教界开展爱国主义、集体主义、社会主义教育，有针对性地加强党史、新中国史、改革开放史、社会主义发展史教育”的粗浅认知：一、落实习近平总书记要求，是宗教界的职责所在，具有重要意义；二、关于爱国主义、集体主义、社会主义教育和“四史”教育的关系；三、宗教界拥有可用于学习教育活动的丰厚历史财富；四、必须强调对于“两个确立”和十八大以来党和国家事业取得历史性成就、发生历史性变革的正确认识；五、把学习党的十九届六中全会《决议》与“两个教育”纳入统一安排；六、加强教育针对性，回应宗教中国化及教风建设面临的各种挑战。

“Carrying out education in patriotism, collectivism, and socialism among religious circles, and purposefully strengthening education in Party history, the history of New China, the history of reform and opening up, and the history of socialist development” is a top-level strategic design to guide China’s religions to complete a historic leap on the path of adapting to the socialist society with Chinese characteristics. It is a powerful empowerment action to ensure that religious circles play a more positive role in the great struggle, great project, and great cause of the New Era under the leadership of the CPC, unite and struggle together with the broad masses of the people, including religious believers, and ultimately realize the “Chinese Dream” of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. However, we should not regard the “two educations” as a short-term task that can be completed in one go, but rather as a long-term compulsory course for the regular political and ideological education of religious circles, based on long-term planning, persistently grasping, rolling and continuing, constantly learning and gaining new insights, so that the study and education activities continuously yield abundant fruits. It is believed that China’s religious circles will surely be able to firmly grasp this important opportunity concerning the future and destiny of Chinese religions, strive to temper, improve, and shape themselves in the study and education activities, and repay the care and expectations of the Party Central Committee and General Secretary Xi Jinping with new achievements in the Sinicization of religions and a new situation in the governance of religious affairs.

“在宗教界开展爱国主义、集体主义、社会主义教育，有针对性地加强党史、新中国史、改革开放史、社会主义发展史教育”，是引导我国宗教在与中国特色社会主义社会相适应道路上完成历史性跨越的一项顶层战略设计，是保证宗教界在中国共产党领导的新时代伟大斗争、伟大工程、伟大事业中更多发挥正面作用、同包括信教群众在内的广大人民群众团结奋斗、最终实现中华民族伟大复兴“中国梦”的一次强劲赋能行动。但我们不应将“两个教育”视为一件一举可竣的短期任务，而是要作为宗教界常态化政治思想教育的长期必修课，立足久远，常抓不懈，滚动延续，常学常新，让学习教育活动不断结出绵绵硕果。相信我国宗教界一定能够紧紧把握住这个关系中国宗教前途命运的重要机遇，致力在学习教育活动中淬炼自己、提升自己、塑造自己，用宗教中国化的新成绩和宗教事务治理的新局面，回报党中央和习近平总书记的关怀与期望。

Online Editor: Tongxin

网络编辑：同心