With the full support of the Buddhist Association of China (BAC)
and the China Religious Culture Communication Association (CRCCA),
the first World Buddhist Forum, ended in Mount Putuo, east China's
Zhejiang Province, on Sunday, with a Putoushan Declaration issued
and a prayer for world peace at the Nanhai Avalokitesvara
Square.
"I am glad to see the Buddhist communities around the world
engaged in dialogue and cooperation during the first World Buddhist
Forum," said Master Yunkun from the Macao Special Administrative
Region after the closing ceremony. "The four-day forum provided a
platform for all who embrace world peace. I believe Buddhism
worldwide is now entering a new era which emphasizes a caring and
peaceful world," he said.
"It's a very good foundation for all the Buddhists from around
the world to get together and to have a better understanding of
each other," he continued. "I hope in the future this Buddhist
forum could be expanded to include everyone in China so they can
also enjoy the same teachings, the same compassions, the same 'love
from heart' and enjoy peace," said Master Yunkun.
He also highly praised the organizers of the forum. "I really
deeply appreciate their contribution to the success of the forum,"
he said. "The meaning of the forum is not about finance. The
organizers of the forum have done a good job."
Monk Hogen Bays of the USA said, "Compassion means to know and
feel for each other. So a big forum like this provides a chance for
people to feel the harmony of our society. After attending the
forum, I'm sure that Buddhism will play an important role in
helping to secure world peace and a harmonious society," he
added.
At a press conference held by the BAC and CRCCA after the
closing ceremony, Qi Xiaofei, vice president of CRCCA, announced
that the forum had been successful. Over 80 honored Masters and
scholars delivered speeches at the event. Originally only 60 had
been scheduled to speak.
The forum was opened on Thursday morning in Hangzhou City,
capital of east China's Zhejiang Province. Around 1,250 delegates
including key Buddhist figures, well known scholars and government
officials from 34 countries attended the forum.
The meeting was "a first" in the history of Chinese
Buddhism.
(China.org.cn by staff reporter Wu Nanlan, April 17, 2006)
