Australian Buddhist Group Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door at Center of Alleged Chinese Espionage Case

A religious organization founded in Australia and banned in China is at the center of an alleged spying case, according to a recent report by ABC News. A Chinese national, an Australian permanent resident whose identity has been withheld by the court, appeared in the ACT Magistrate's Court on Monday, charged under foreign interference laws for allegedly collecting information on the Canberra branch of Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door for the People’s Republic of China (PRC). This marks only the third time police have used the 2018 foreign interference laws.

If found guilty, the woman could face up to 15 years in prison. The case has raised questions about the nature of Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door, its relationship with China, and its global influence. The group, which operates as the Australia Oriental Media Buddhist Charity, is banned in China, and some of its adherents have faced prosecution there.

According to its official website, Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door is a Buddhist group that encourages followers to recite scriptures, practice life liberation, and make great vows to help others. It claims to be dedicated to advancing the cultural knowledge and understanding of Buddhism. However, it has been accused by some Buddhist organizations of deviating from orthodox teachings.

Founded by Lu Junhong, a former opera performer who moved to Australia in 1989, the organization has grown to have branches around the world, including in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Lu, who was known as “Master Lu,” claimed to have miraculous powers, including the ability to raise people from wheelchairs and control their movements.

In China, Guan Yin Citta Dharma Door is considered a xie jiao, or “heterodox teaching,” and is often associated with unregistered religious groups that the Chinese government has historically suppressed. This classification may explain why the Chinese government has allegedly targeted the group, viewing it as a potential threat to its control over the Chinese diaspora.

According to Professor Ming Xia, a politics professor at the City University of New York, the Chinese government has intensified its efforts to control religious organizations abroad as part of its “Great United Front” and “Great Security” policies. These policies aim to integrate issues such as Tibetan and Xinjiang affairs, Taiwan relations, and the treatment of overseas Chinese into a unified national security framework.

Professor Xia explained that the Chinese government is particularly interested in any Chinese diaspora groups that it does not control, as they may pose a challenge to its authority. He suggested that the alleged espionage case is part of a broader strategy to monitor and suppress groups that could potentially undermine the Chinese government’s influence abroad.

The case has also raised concerns about the potential for Chinese interference in Australian politics and religious communities. While the Chinese government has not officially confirmed its involvement in the espionage case, the allegations highlight the growing tensions between China and Western nations over issues of religious freedom and foreign influence.

As the case unfolds, it will be important to monitor how the Australian government and the international community respond to the allegations. The case may also have broader implications for the future of religious groups operating in Australia and other Western democracies, particularly those with ties to China.