China’s first Buddhist gathering attracts worldwide participation China hosts its first major international forum on Buddhism this month as part of the ongoing drive toward the government’s call to build a “harmonious society.” The theme of the forum, “a harmonious world begins in the mind,” draws attention to the belief that people from all walks of life can contribute to a peaceful world if they share a calm state of mind. The forum also serves to promote China’s ongoing moves toward increased religious tolerance.
Over 500 Buddhist scholars, monks and other dignitaries from the Chinese mainland, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao and several foreign destinations are expected to move into the charming cities of Hangzhou and Zhoushan, in Zhejiang Province, from April 13 to 16 as guests of the World Buddhist Forum.
The World Buddhist Forum is co-hosted by the Buddhist Association of China and China’s Religious Culture Communication Association. One of the forum’s advocates, Master Shenghui, deputy head of the Buddhist Association of China, said that in October 2004, when the Seventh Buddhist Friendship Exchange Conference among China, South Korea and Japan was held in Beijing, a decision was made by the eight Buddhist leaders from the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan to hold a World Buddhist Forum.
The proposal gained the support of fellow Buddhists from South Korea and Japan, and in 2005, at a UN international conference on Buddhism in Thailand, participants from 41 countries and regions pledged their support for China to hold the World Buddhist Forum.
In a world where speed and convenience reign supreme, development has a major impact on the way we live and the world around us, which in turn poses big challenges for traditional beliefs, customs, moral values and lifestyles.
Facing the serious challenges that come with material prosperity, a degraded environment, terrorism and moral deterioration brings the need for spiritual well being into greater perspective. “Buddhism can help people to purify their mind and spirit, promote social harmony and safeguard world peace,” said Master Shenghui.
All in the mind
First, unity and cooperation of Buddhism. The most important aspect of this segment is getting the message of Buddhism across to young people and using modern technology to help in this process.
Second, social responsibilities of Buddhism. Discussions are expected to center on Buddhism and environmental preservation and promoting harmony between people.
Third, peace mission of Buddhism. This segment focuses on Buddhism and international affairs, looking at world cultural development and the need for dialogue before conflict.
“To build a harmonious world is a project that attracts the concern of all human beings. It is also a subject that resonates strongly with Buddhist philosophy,” said Ye Xiaowen, Chairman of the Religious Culture Communication Association of China, in February this year. Ye said that not long before the World Buddhist Forum selected its theme, President Hu Jintao proposed to build a harmonious world at the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the United Nations in September 2005.
In December of the same year, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao further illustrated the concept of building a harmonious world, in a speech made during his visit to Ecole Polytechnique de Paris. Wen pointed out that China has always placed great value on peace and harmony.
“Harmony is also a fundamental component of Buddhism. The highest level of Buddhism is called nirvana, also referred to as a harmonious state,” said Ye. During its development, Buddhism integrated into, and became an important part of, Chinese culture, immersing into the Chinese concept of harmony.
“Buddhism is now deeply rooted into the minds of Chinese people and reflects the cultural tradition of China,” believes Ye.
He continued that it is also important to remember that as Buddhism attaches great significance to the mind and reaching a harmonious world must start in the mind, the two are moving in the same direction.
Developing Buddhism
Buddhist disciples and scholars have all agreed that the World Buddhist Forum will promote the development of Buddhism in China.
Ye said that freedom of religious belief has been written into the Chinese Constitution and the government supervises religious activities in accordance with the law. “The government’s efforts have also contributed to the development of religious culture in China,” he noted.
Chinese law forbids atheists from disrupting religious groups in places of worship. According to the Chinese Constitution and relevant laws and regulations, the government protects the right to hold legitimate religious activities in formal places of worship or at homes. Chinese law recognizes all religions as equal and the government encourages mutual respect between believers and non-believers.
During the Cultural Revolution (1966-76), all religious activities were forbidden, including Buddhism. Many Buddhist temples and monasteries were destroyed or occupied, statues of Buddha destroyed, sutras burnt, and monks and nuns vilified. At that time, Buddhist associations and monasteries were shut down. However, things changed after China opened itself to the outside world and embarked on its economic reform program in 1978. Government and privately donated funds were made available to rebuild and repair temples and monasteries damaged or destroyed during the Cultural Revolution. In the 1990s, the Chinese Buddhist society began receiving donations from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and overseas Chinese community, as well as wealthy mainland Chinese.
Chinese leaders have emphasized on many occasions that people who follow religion also make remarkable contributions to the country’s modernization drive. “The number of religious practitioners in China is over 100 million, and they are also an active force in building a socialist country with Chinese characteristics,” said then President Jiang Zemin in December 2001.
Currently, China’s new leaders are striving to solve religious problems in accordance with the rule of law and respect for human rights.