Buddhist forum calls for shared future for mankind

The Fifth World Buddhist Forum wrapped up on Tuesday in Putian, Fujian province, with messages of hope from leading Buddhist figures on building a community of a shared future for mankind.

The forum has played a positive role and made special contributions to promoting Buddhist exchanges, maintaining world peace and improving humans’ blessings, said Wang Zuoan, deputy head of the United Front Work Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, at the closing ceremony.

Wang, who is also head of the State Administration for Religious Affairs, said that the forum has been held five times, providing an important platform for mutual learning among countries.

This forum had in-depth discussions on the theme, “Exchange with Mutual Learning: Middle Way for Perfect Harmony”, which is of great practical significance, Wang said, adding that delegates from different countries will bring back the consensus reached at the forum and make unremitting efforts to build a community with a shared future for mankind.

Wang also stressed that the China Religious Culture Communication Association, together with the Buddhist Association of China and Buddhist communities in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao, will continue to follow the principle of equality, tolerance and openness and make the forum one of the most influential multilateral exchanges and dialogue mechanisms.

Master Zongxing, vicepresident of the Buddhist Association of China and Master Heng Sure, chairman of the Dharma Realm Buddhist Association, together concluded this year’s forum with a declaration calling for Buddhism and culture exchanges in countries along the Belt and Road, youth education, charity projects and environmental protection.

“The middle way for perfect harmony”, one of the core concepts of Buddhism, is also an important principle for carrying forward exchanges between different cultures. The theme of the forum coincides with the Buddhist vision of realizing the harmonious coexistence of different cultures and jointly creating a better future for mankind, Zongxing said.

Chinese Buddhism should also serve as a bridge for frequent religious and cultural exchanges between different countries along the Belt and Road and enhance people-to-people bonds, Zongxing said.

Over 1,000 representatives from 55 countries and regions attended the two-day forum, including Buddhist leaders from different countries, Buddhist scholars and researchers and individuals who are concerned with the development of Buddhism.

1,000 Estimated number of attendees at the Fifth World Buddhist Forum 55 Number of countries and regions represented at the Fifth World Buddhist Forum