As China's first major international Buddhist forum since 1949
is set to open later this week, a senior Chinese religion official
stressed in Beijing Wednesday that the government treats all
religions equally.
Asked whether the government prefers Buddhism to other
religions, Qi Xiaofei, Vice President of China's Religious Culture
Communication Association, said international religions, including
Buddhism, have all contributed to human civilization.
He acknowledged that Buddhism, with its 2,000-year history in
China, is more closely related to Chinese traditions and has a
deeper influence on the Chinese public.
"Chinese culture values harmony, which is quite similar to
Buddhist concepts. That's why Buddhism is more popular in China,"
he said.
More than 1,000 Buddhist monks, experts and politicians from 34
countries and regions will attend the First World Buddhist Forum in
the scenic cities of Hangzhou and Zhoushan in east China's Zhejiang
Province. The forum runs from April 13-16 and its theme is: "A
harmonious world begins in the heart".
When asked about the possibility of holding international forums
on other religions, Qi stressed that the government treats all
religions equally, but to hold an international religious meeting
demands consensus and support of the believers as well as public
understanding and cooperation.
"Things happen naturally if conditions are ripe," said Qi.
(Xinhua News Agency April 13, 2006)
