Support for the role of Buddhism and other religions in the
course of building a prosperous and harmonious world will continue
to receive support from the Chinese government, a senior?
official said Wednesday.
Meeting participants at the First World Buddhist Forum, Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee
of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC),
said, "Building a harmonious world requires the concerted efforts
of the people of all nations and an active role played by various
civilizations and religions."
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The theme of the forum -- "A harmonious world begins in the mind"
-- was significant, said Jia, adding the forum would strengthen
exchanges and cooperation between Buddhists worldwide. The theme
enunciates the call of Chinese President, Hu Jintao, for a
harmonious society and world.? .
The First World Buddhist Forum is being held in the scenic city
of Hangzhou and nearby Zhoushan in the eastern Zhejiang Province
from April 13 to 16.
The first of its kind in China's 2000-year Buddhist history the
Forum is sponsored by the Buddhist Association of China and the
China Religious Culture Communication Association.
More than 1,000 monks and religious experts from 33 countries
and the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan are
attending.?
Participants will focus on issues of Buddhism's unity and
cooperation, social responsibilities and peaceful missions to spur
efforts for a peaceful, prosperous and harmonious world.
Buddhism has been developing in China since its introduction
from India more than 20 centuries ago. It is estimated there are
approximately 100 million Buddhists in China.
"The Chinese government has fully implemented the policy of
religious freedom," Jia said. He noted that all religions were
treated on an equal footing.
His words were echoed by Qi Xiaofei, vice-president of China's
Religious Culture Communication Association, who pledged the
government would continue to safeguard freedom in religious
beliefs.
But the official, also deputy director of the State
Administration of Religious Affairs, acknowledged that Buddhism,
with such a long history in China, is more closely related to the
country’s traditions and had a profound impact on Chinese
culture.
"Chinese culture values the concept of harmony which is quite
similar to Buddhist doctrines,” he said. “That's why Buddhism is
popular in China", he said. He pointed out that it required
consensus and support from believers as well as public
understanding and cooperation to hold an international religious
conference.
"Everything hinges on the essential conditions,” he said. “These
things happen naturally if conditions are ripe," he said in
response to a question on the possibility of holding international
forums on other religions.
The forum was first proposed in 2004 by eight disciples from the
Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan. The proposal won support
from Buddhist circles in 41 countries worldwide including Japan and
the Republic of Korea.
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(Xinhua News Agency April 13, 2006)
