The Puhuasi 普華寺: Longing for Trustworthiness and Recognition. Transformations in the Religious Identity and Institutional Affiliation of the Chinese Buddhist Temple in Prato

This paper examines, on a religious and institutional basis, the evolution of the Puhua si 普華寺, a Chinese Buddhist temple in Prato (Tuscany, Italy), taking into account local aspects as well as its relationship with China. It presents the history of the temple, its ritual practices and doctrinal traditions. In addressing the questions of its changing religious identities and institutional affiliations, the paper shows that both local and global factors are involved, namely, Puhua si’s own board, the Union of Italian Buddhists, as well as Longquan si and the Buddhist Association of China.