An increasing number of China's citizens are turning to Buddhism, and even psychiatry, to attain inner peace as reported by Guangzhou's Southern Weekly. Now that China has become the second biggest economy on Earth, its people are now seeking to live a happy life.

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During a psychology conference held in Guangzhou, Shanghai Mental Health Superintendent Xiao Zeping told his audience that the "Chinese people do not live happily."

Dr. Li Yan, head of a psychiatry department in Guangzhou reported that the number of patients that his department received climb up to 50,000 cases in 2014, in contrast to only 7,000 cases in 2005. Dr Yan also said that China currently has higher cases of anxiety disorders, depressions and even schizophrenia in comparison to other countries.

The sheer number of people suffering from a variety of mental issues has prompted the rise of self-help services in China.  Xinlin001, established in 2011 as a psychology online site, currently has around 9.31 million subscribers.

According to Huang Yongming, a Wuhan University professor, people are confronted with problems related to food, population and safety as well as the urbanization in many parts of China. On the other hand, Mark Williams, an Oxford psychology professor claims that China's populations are struggling to keep their inner peace while confronted with anxiety as their country experiences rapid economic growth.

Many Chinese are now turning to religion and most have found Buddhism appealing, due to its approach to meditation. Government statistics indicates the increasing venues for Buddhists followers, wherein as of 2013, there are already around 33,000 such venues. Many Buddhist temples are hosting annual meditations to its members.

Chinese leaders such as President Xi Jinping believes that spiritual beliefs gives people hope and helps further the progress of the country. State Administrator for Religious Affairs Chief Wang Zuoan, has encouraged the press increase its coverage on religious affairs.

TagsBuddhists, Wuhan, religious affairs, psychiatry, inner peace, southern weekly, Xinlin001