三、宗教文化受到尊重和保护

　　新疆历来是多种宗教并存地区，宗教文化丰富多样，是中国传统文化的组成部分。中国政府保障公民宗教信仰自由权利，尊重和保护宗教文化。

　　多种宗教文化交融共存。新疆历来是多种宗教传播的重要地区，是宗教文化的汇聚之地。新疆最初流行原始宗教、萨满教。公元前4世纪起，随着祆教、佛教等相继传入，逐步形成多种宗教并存的格局。后来，道教、摩尼教、景教、伊斯兰教等先后传入，多种宗教并存的格局不断发展演变。一教或两教为主、多教并存是新疆宗教格局的历史特点。多种宗教文化长期交融共存，互相借鉴，并在适应中国社会发展过程中调整变化。目前，新疆有伊斯兰教、佛教、基督教、天主教、道教等。萨满教和祆教的元素遗留至今，并且以生活习俗的形式表现出来。佛教文化影响深远，在喀什、哈密、伊犁等地，仍可见到佛龛、莲花图案、莲花宝座等遗存。

III. Respecting and Protecting Religious Culture

Since antiquity Xinjiang has seen the coexistence of a variety of religions, whose rich cultures have become part of traditional Chinese culture. China’s government is committed to protecting its citizens’ freedom of religious belief while respecting and protecting religious cultures.

Many religious cultures blend and coexist. Xinjiang has long been a region where multiple religions are practiced and their cultures have met and blended. Primitive religion and Shamanism were practiced in Xinjiang before Zoroastrianism, Buddhism and other faiths were introduced into the region from the 4th century BC onward. Gradually there came into being a network of coexisting religions. This network further evolved with the introduction of Taoism, Manichaeism, Nestorianism, and Islam. A coexistence of multiple religions, with one or two predominant, was a basic characteristic of Xinjiang’s religious history. During their lengthy coexistence and interaction, the religious cultures in the region learned from one another and adapted to China’s social development. At present, the major religions in Xinjiang are Islam, Buddhism, Protestant and Catholic Christianity, and Taoism. Certain Shamanistic and Zoroastrian elements can still be observed in local customs today. The remains of Buddha niches, lotus patterns, and lotus seat sculptures in Kashgar, Hami, and Ili testify to the once widespread influence of Buddhism in the region.

　　宗教典籍文献依法出版发行。国家以多种语言文字翻译出版发行伊斯兰教、佛教、基督教等宗教典籍文献，满足各族信教公民的多样化需求。新疆已翻译出版发行汉、维吾尔、哈萨克、柯尔克孜等多种文字的《古兰经》《布哈里圣训实录精华》等宗教经典书籍，编辑发行汉、维吾尔两种文字的《卧尔兹演讲集》系列。开办汉、维吾尔两种语言文字的新疆穆斯林网站。整理出版《金光明经卷二》《弥勒会见记》等宗教古籍文献。在专营宗教书刊的销售点，可以购买《古兰经》《圣经》《金光明经》等各种宗教典籍。

Religious texts are published and distributed in accordance with the law. The state has translated, published and distributed Islamic, Buddhist, Protestant, and other religious texts to meet the diverse demand

of religious believers. The Koran and Irshad al-Sari li Sharh Sahih

al-Bukhari have been published in Chinese, Uygur, Kazak and Kirgiz languages. The New Collection of al-Wa’z Speeches series have been compiled

and published in both Chinese and Uygur languages. A website (www.xjmuslim.com) available in both Chinese and Uygur languages was set up for Xinjiang’s Muslim community. Ancient religious books, including Volume II of the Golden Light Sutra (Suvarnaprabhasa Sutra) and Maitrisimit Nom Bitig, have been published. Important scriptures such as the Koran, Bible, and Golden Light Sutra are available at stores specializing in selling religious publications.