Around 1,300 years ago, when Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907) monk Xuan
Zang went to study Buddhism in India, it took him all of 17 years
and untold hardships to make the return trip.
Today, the more than 1,000 Buddhist monks and researchers from
more than 30 countries and regions who gathered in the east China
city of Hangzhou made their trip far more comfortably in planes or
other modern modes of transport.
But the core values of the religion still shine through despite
the change of times in its teachings that people must strive for
freedom from greed, anger and ignorance; and in its promotion of
harmony and peace in the world.
Speaking yesterday at the first World Forum of Buddhism,
Venerable Shenghui, vice-president of the Buddhist Association of
China, defined the religion as peace-loving and always seeking ways
to harmony in society and tranquility of mind.
His view was shared by Liu Yandong, vice-chairwoman of the
National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative
Conference, who said: "Internal harmony will definitely lead to
external peace."
As a senior official of the nation's top political advisory
body, she said that a peacefully-developing China seeks a world of
harmony and co-existence a lofty goal that all religious
communities should work for.
In a message to the forum, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi
Annan said the Buddha's ethical and humanitarian ideals are still
ennobling the lives of millions of people.
Annan said the Buddhist vision of peace may be more relevant
than ever before.
"If we want to have a chance of overcoming the many challenges
that face us today in the fields of peace and security... we must
think beyond our narrow, short-term self-interests, and raise
ourselves to universal perspectives from which the well-being of
the broader human community can be seen to be as important as our
individual well-being," he said.
Also speaking at the forum, the 11th Panchen Lama Bainqen Erdini
Qoigyijabu said: "Chinese society provides a favourable environment
for Buddhist belief."
The Living Buddha of China's Tibetan Buddhism said all the three
Buddhist sects Chinese, Tibetan and Pali coexist and are developing
in China as equals and respect one another.
Tibetan Buddhism has observed the fine tradition of loving both
the nation and Buddhism, he pointed out. "It is particularly worth
mentioning that my predecessor, the 10th Panchen Lama, had made an
outstanding contribution to the unity of the country and the
solidarity of the people.
"I am convinced that as they transform their character, all
living beings will certainly be on the right track to a harmonious,
stable, and peaceful world."
Venerable K. Mahinda Sangharakkhita, chief incumbent of Kelaniya
Royal Temple in Sri Lanka, said: "Thanks to the support from the
Chinese Government, the forum will promote the spread of Buddhist
teachings in the world as China has become one of the leading
countries of the 21st century."
For Buddhist followers, the forum is a chance to pay tribute to
well-known figures, most of whom are attending the gathering.
The forum opened yesterday, and is scheduled to close on Sunday.
Hangzhou the capital of Zhejiang Province is famous among Buddhists
all over China for its 1,600- year-old Lingyin Temple.
Ye Rong, 62, who flew from Guizhou Province in Southwest China,
arrived outside the venue two hours before the forum opened. "I'll
feel blessed even with a mere glimpse of the living Buddhas," she
said.
(China Daily April 14, 2006)