On October 17th, the sixth World Buddhist Forum concluded in Ningbo, Zhejiang, organized by the Chinese Buddhist Association and the China Religious Culture Communication Association. Under the shadows of Xuefeng Mountain, a gathering of monks, scholars, and experts from various countries engaged in deep dialogues about the essence and philosophical insights of Buddhist culture, fostering cross-cultural exchanges.
The World Buddhist Forum is an international dialogue mechanism for Buddhist multilateral exchanges initiated and hosted by China. Over the past five sessions, the forum has expanded its reach across Taiwan and Hong Kong.
In the last three days, approximately 800 representatives from the Buddhist community, including experts and attendees from 72 countries and regions, participated in the forum. The theme for this year was “Walking Together in Shared Aspirations for Harmonious Coexistence.” The event comprised an opening ceremony, main forum, seven sub-forums, a new media forum, a television forum, and a closing ceremony, along with an exhibition on Buddhist culture.
Buddhism has uniquely integrated into Chinese culture over the past 2,000 years, developing deep roots with traditional Chinese values. This integration has led to the establishment of key traditions in Chinese Buddhism focused on both agricultural Zen practices and academic research, along with international exchange. As a crucial facet of Chinese culture, Buddhist philosophy significantly fosters social harmony and cultural identity.
Today, Buddhism enjoys a healthy legacy within Chinese society, advocating principles of “walking together in shared aspirations for harmonious coexistence” and embodying the spirit of compassion and altruism. The World Buddhist Forum showcases the latest achievements of Chinese Buddhism in this domain and offers a window into understanding Chinese culture.
The forum featured three exhibitions related to Buddhist art, presenting the essence and contemporary values of Buddhist culture. Following the main discussions, a cultural performance utilized modern lighting and staging techniques to illustrate the history of Buddhism’s integration into Chinese culture. Five performances highlighted various themes, including “Original Aspirations,” “Journey Westward, Arrival Eastward,” “Compassion for All Beings,” “Millennial Legacy,” and “Songs of Peace.”
“Monks from both China and abroad are united in preserving and continuing this millennia-old tradition, actively promoting the exchange of human civilizations,” said Li Silong, a professor of philosophy and head of the Institute of Religious Culture at Peking University, during one of the sub-forums.
As the world faces numerous challenges, a key question remains: how can Buddhist teachings advance to benefit society? Forum participants reached a consensus that practicing the principles of humanistic Buddhism, driven by compassion and wisdom, is vital to addressing contemporary global issues.
“Being worldly does not mean abandoning the world,” is one of the distinctive characteristics of Buddhism as it merges with Chinese civilization. Daishi Ohtani, president of the Japan International Zen Cultural Exchange Association, indicated that the tradition of charity within Buddhism in Japan has long emphasized public welfare and altruism.
“Since Buddhism entered China, the principles of universally liberating sentient beings and alleviating suffering have nourished many charitable initiatives within Chinese culture,” noted Ming Sheng, vice president of the Chinese Buddhist Association, during the sub-forum.
Jie Di, deputy abbot of the male monastic department at Zhongtai Chan Temple in Taiwan, articulated the importance of this forum as an affirmation of Buddhism’s commitment to worldly engagement. The exhibitions presented genuine historical scenarios of cultural exchanges, encouraging contemporary dialogue among countries to foster mutual understanding and cooperation for the greater good.
“Technology should not overshadow humanity,” shared several Buddhist leaders who discussed ethical challenges posed by technological advancement. Zhaochu, the president of the Buddhist Federation of Los Angeles, emphasized the opportunity to leverage these technologies to connect Buddhist temples with their communities for service.
During a press conference at the forum, organizers released a promotional video that vividly illustrated the theme of “Walking Together in Shared Aspirations for Harmonious Coexistence.”
In light of the global challenges that humanity faces, the closing ceremony reaffirmed the consensus reached over the three days of discussions through the “Xuefeng Mountain Declaration,” urging the global Buddhist community to play a role in constructing a shared future for humankind.
Participants from various countries enthusiastically responded to the forum’s call to action. Fahuo, the president of the Frankfurt Buddhist Academy and vice chair of the United Nations Vesak International Council, told reporters that they aimed to convey to the world that the compassionate wisdom of Buddhism can bring love and support, reducing misunderstandings among people.
Falong, the abbot of the Amitabha Temple in Ottawa, Canada, remarked that historically, Buddhism has imported ideals of civilization and peace across different nations. In today’s world, characterized by deepening racial divides, trade disputes, and conflicts, the spirit of universal love and rational wisdom cultivated within Buddhism can provide valuable perspectives in addressing global challenges such as war, pandemics, environmental pollution, and resource shortages.
One of the notable achievements of this forum was the compilation of Buddhist texts. Building upon previous forums, the Chinese Buddhist Association engaged with various Buddhist communities to promote the translation and study of Buddhist texts in different languages, aiming to create new avenues for international cultural exchange and cooperation within Buddhism.
Yingjue, president of the Chinese Buddhist Association, expressed his hope that this forum would serve as a platform to transmit the spirit of compassion and wisdom inherent in Buddhism, promote its teachings of peace, and unite Buddhists and peace-loving individuals worldwide to jointly contribute to global development, advance cultural exchanges, and build a shared future for humanity.