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China hosted its first World Buddhist ForumCompiled by Tipitaka Network Newsdesk, April 16, 2005
Prominent Buddhists are gathering for the World Buddhist Forum in the Chinese resort of Hangzhou, and nearby Zhoushan, in eastern Zhejiang province. This is the first international religious conference to be held on the Chinese mainland since the communists swept to power in 1949. So why is China hosting this event now, at a time when it is cracking down on dissidents and even internet users? Given Karl Marx's belief that religion is the opiate of the masses, it is ironic that communist China is this week hosting the World Buddhist Forum. Organisers timed the forum to coincide with the Christian festival of Easter, sources said, apparently to send a message of China's greater religious tolerance to church-going U.S. President George W. Bush ahead of his summit with Chinese President Hu Jintao later this month. Professor Jonathan Unger, a sociologist at the Australian National University in Canberra, says that, in his view, the forum is mainly to convince the outside world -- particularly its Asian neighbors -- that China is becoming more tolerant towards religion. "I think the Chinese government is strategically advertising this forum in order to shine up China's image; it's an appeal obviously to people abroad who are Buddhists," he says. Unger supports his view that the forum is mainly an image-building exercise by pointing to the suppression in recent years of the Falun Gong movement. The sect, which sprang from Buddhist traditions, grew so rapidly that the Communist Party began to see it as a potential threat. At the same time, analysts note that the seminar's title -- incorporating the words "harmonious world" -- is close to the wording President Hu Jintao is using in his campaign to build what he calls a "harmonious society" in China.
Does Beijing perhaps view religion as a tool to help a country and economy in transition? At any rate, Chinese officials have been saying openly that Buddhism can be used to ease some of the social tensions that have developed during China's rapid industrialization over the past few decades. Ye Xiaowen, director of the State Administration for Religious Affairs, was quoted by Xinhua news agency as saying other religions, such as Christianity and Islam, also could contribute to building a harmonious society, but that Buddhism, which pursues an idea of harmony close to that in the Chinese outlook, could make a "distinctive contribution." The world's overall economy, especially China's, has been growing rapidly since the beginning of this century. But the allocation of social wealth is tensing the relations between people. As a religion with "profound ideas of harmony and a conception of peace," Buddhism can lead its believers to a peaceful and more rational point of view, as well as help adjust their mentalities, he said. "To prompt a harmonious world, China has its own thoughts and policies. Religion is a significant social strength that China will depend on." Ye said, "Buddhism can help believers cope with a fast-changing society, now plagued by a huge wealth gap and increasing social unrest." The theme of the forum -- "a harmonious world begins in the mind" -- mirrors Hu's campaign to build a "harmonious society" in the face of rising unrest at home. The forum is being organised by the Buddhist Association of China and the Religious Culture Communication Association of China which Mr Ye chairs. "This is an unprecedented grand gathering in Chinese Buddhism's 2,000-year history," Ye Xiaowen wrote on the forum's Web site.
Apart from this forum, there has been talk of China forging ties with the Vatican by 2008 and a possible warming towards Tibet's exiled god-king, the Dalai Lama. A Tibetan nun jailed for 15 years was allowed to seek medical treatment in the United States last month. Such moves, however symbolic, may provide Hu with a list of concessions on religion with which to temper any U.S. criticism during his visit, analysts said. But critics dismissed the moves as a public relations exercise. Other initiatives call for 200 "Confucius Institutes" to teach the Chinese language overseas, and "Year of China" festivals in several countries that have raised China's profile abroad and spread the communist government's take on traditional culture. Art treasures from the Palace Museum in Beijing have been sent overseas for exhibition, while at home, China is hosting a raft of sporting and cultural events in coming years, including the 2008 Olympic Summer Games and 2010 World Expo. "China has been pursuing soft power very actively in recent years," said Joseph Cheng, chairman of the City University of Hong Kong's Contemporary China Research Center. Experts' Views The spiritual director of the Advayavada branch of Buddhism, Dutchman John Willemsens, says the most important emotion in Buddhism is equanimity -- the quality of facing events good and bad with the same calm and detachment.
That has obvious application in getting people to accept, for instance, poverty alongside wealth. But Willemsens does not believe China can escape its economic troubles through philosophy. "In most Buddhist countries, social problems are far from being solved," he says. "If you take a land like Myanmar [Burma], or even Thailand or Sri Lanka, these are countries that are typically Buddhist but that have not solved any of their problems." Yi Yi Lu, an analyst with Britain's Royal Institute for International Affairs, nevertheless sees progress in China's attitude to religion -- at least concerning Buddhism. Lu points out how the attitude to heritage issues has changed since the wanton devastation of Chairman Mao's Cultural Revolution of the 1960s. "There is a link to the idea in recent years that traditional Chinese culture has its good aspects that need to be revived and need to be handed down, rather than [discarded]," Lu says. "That is certainly a reversal from previous policies like the Cultural Revolution when everything about traditional Chinese culture was banished, or destined to be destroyed." The government's new attitude arises from a "more mature understanding of religion as a long-standing human need," said Lou Yulie, an expert on Buddhist culture at Peking University.
"They no longer see it as something to be eradicated, but rather as something to guide society," Lou said. First Chinese World Buddhist Forum It is the first time since Buddhism came to China 2,000 years ago that the country has hosted such an event. The forum was initiated in 2004 by eight Buddhist leaders from Hong Kong and across the Taiwan Straits and won support from Buddhist communities of more than 40 countries, including South Korea, Japan and Thailand. Some 1,000 monks and Buddhist scholars from 33 countries and the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, will exchange views at the four-day forum, focusing on the theme that "a harmonious world begins in the mind". Two of the top lamas of Tibetan Buddhism are absent from the forum. The Dalai Lama, the spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhism and a strong critic of Chinese policies on Tibet, will not be attending the World Buddhist Forum. The Dalai Lama has lived in exile in India since 1959 when he fled his Himalayan homeland after an abortive uprising. A youth backed by the Dalai Lama as the Karmapa Lama, the third-ranking monk in Tibetan Buddhism, arrived in India from Tibet in 2000. Tibet's second-ranking spiritual figure, the Panchen Lama, who is recognized by Beijing, attended the opening day on Thursday.
A popular doctrine of Buddhism is "to do no evil, to do only good and to purify the will," said Wei Daoru, a researcher with the Institute of World Religions under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. "As proven in the past hundreds of years, Buddhism has helped avert various strife among people, and taught believers to re-adjust their mindset for peaceful co-existence with nature and others. The religion also preaches that all different Buddhist sects are equal and should live in amity. In addition, Buddhism has become a bridge for international cultural exchange," Wei told The China Daily. Venerable Guoguang said that Buddhism advocates fusion rather than conflict, and sticks to the truth of accepting differences. The religious doctrine of selflessness, charity, respect, equality and tolerance makes it culturally advantageous in safeguarding world peace, he said in an article submitted for the Buddhist forum. However, a professor of the Chinese University of Hong Kong told the South China Morning Post that Beijing was at ease with Buddhism because it had less contact with outside forces, often seen by China as meddling in its internal affairs. China has about 100 million Buddhists, some 20,000 Buddhist temples and around 200,000 Buddhist monks and nuns, according to official statistics. The Buddhist Association of China is a national religious organization. There are 34 Buddhist schools and colleges. The country publishes nearly 30 Buddhist periodicals. Apart from Buddhism, China's main religions include Taoism, Islam, Catholicism and Protestantism. Religious freedom is enshrined in China's constitution. But during the chaotic 1966-76 Cultural Revolution, monasteries were closed, statues were smashed, religious texts were burnt, and monks and nuns were forced to return to secular life.
China has since sought to control but not stifle religion in a society where an ideological vacuum has spawned corruption and eroded ethics in the post-Mao era. But in the face of rising unrest -- 87,000 public order disturbances last year -- China has no qualms about crushing any challenge to its rule, banning the Falun Gong spiritual movement as an evil cult in 1999 and jailing thousands of its adherents. Opening Ceremony in Hangzhou 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." The theme of the forum -- "A harmonious world begins in the mind" -- was very significant, said Jia, adding the forum would strengthen exchanges and cooperation between Buddhists worldwide. "The Chinese government has fully implemented the policy of religious freedom," Jia said, noting 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 belief. Liu Yandong, vice-chairwoman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), said at the opening ceremony that governments and peoples should exert concerted efforts to make religions play an active role in building a harmonious world.
"Buddhism has made important contribution to world peace and human civilization in the history. The forum will play a positive role in exploring how Buddhism can contribute to building a harmonious world," Liu said. Tung Chee Hwa, vice-chairman of the CPPCC National Committee and Hong Kong's former Chief Executive, read a congratulatory letter from United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who said the Buddha's vision of peace may be more relevant than ever before and called on the public to work together toward the common good and the harmonious and peaceful coexistence of all the world people. "If we want to have a chance of overcoming the many challenges that face us today in the fields of peace and security... we must think beyond our narrow, short-term self-interests, and raise ourselves to universal perspectives from which the well-being of the broader human community can be seen to be as important as our individual well-being," Annan said. Buddhist Master Shenghui, also vice-president of the Buddhist Association of China, said at the opening ceremony that the forum serves as an equal, diversified and open platform for talks among the people who love the world and the general public, respect and support Buddhism, and cherish a caring heart. China's pick for the 11th Panchen Lama of Tibet also attended. Born on February 13, 1990 in Lhari county of Tibet Autonomous Region, Gyaltsen Norbu was approved by the central government of China as the reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama after a lot drawing ceremony among three candidates in the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa in 1995. The 10th Panchen Lama died in 1989. Another boy of the same age, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, identified by the exiled Dalai Lama and his followers as the true reincarnation of the previous Panchen Lama, was rejected by Chinese officials and has not been seen since. He is believed to have been living under house arrest for 11 years, probably the world's youngest political prisoner.
"I am convinced that through self-cultivation, all living beings will certainly be on the right track to a harmonious, stable, and peaceful world," said the Panchen Lama. Wearing a yellow and maroon robe, he said he hoped Buddhists in all regions and all countries can show mercy, work in the interest of others and jointly fulfill the social obligations and the peaceful mission of Buddhism. Praising his predecessor the 10th Panchen Lama as having made "great contribution" to national unification and national unity, the 17-year-old living Buddha urged the country's Buddhists to carry the tradition of safeguarding the country and benefiting the people. Noting that defending the nation and working for the people is a solemn commitment Buddhism has made to the nation and society, he urged all Buddhists to shoulder the historical responsibility. "Chinese society provides a favourable environment for Buddhist belief," the 17-year-old delivered his terse speech in Tibetan. Mary-Beth Markey, head of the International Campaign for Tibet, said China appeared to be using the conference to put forward an image of religious tolerance ahead of President Hu Jintao's visit to the United States.
"It's shameful that Beijing has scripted Gyaltsen Norbu ... with statements that are clearly untrue about religious freedom in China," Markey was quoted as saying in a news release. A Chinese official said Wednesday the Dalai Lama -- the world's best-known Buddhist leader -- was not welcome at the conference. "In my opinion, if he appears at the forum, he will surely pose a really disharmonious note to the general harmonious tone of the forum," said Qi Xiaofei, vice president of the China Religious Culture Communication Association when responding to the question on why the Dalai Lama was not invited. The London-based Free Tibet Campaign said the forum illustrated that China was willing to "go to enormous lengths to present a misleading picture of official tolerance of Tibetan Buddhism." "In a typical show of cynical propaganda, China has pushed to center stage Gyaltsen Norbu," it said. Voices of the Delegates "There is no greater threat today to the long-term security of life on this planet than the twin problems of climate change and environmental degradation. It is necessary for us to create a harmonious environment between human beings and the nature," said Master Wei Zhi, a Buddhist leader from Singapore.
"Many living creatures have become or are threatened with extinction. Forests that took thousands of years to grow are being destroyed indiscriminately for raw materials and to clear land for farming. The air is polluted and the water is contaminated. As the earth's population continues to expand and the demand for food and materials continues to grow, so too does the immense pressure on the environment." According to Master Wei Zhi, devotees in Singapore are encouraged not to use disposable dishware, and not to burn too much joss paper or incense sticks when visiting temples. "We are doing our best to contribute to environmental protection." "I am glad to find that the environment in Hangzhou City has improved greatly," Master Jing Yao from Taiwan said. When asked how Buddhism could contribute to environmental protection, Master Jing Yao told China.org.cn that Buddhism, above all, teaches one to first purify the spirit in order to control one's desires. According to Master Jing Yao, greed is a natural condition. Human beings tend to want to take as much as they can from the earth and from others to satisfy their immediate wants without consideration for the future. However, Buddhism teaches followers how to control their behavior with their minds. Participants refused to comment to reporters on the dispute over the Panchen Lama.
"It's the first time that this sort of thing is being held in China, so I think everyone wants to go easy and make sure things go smoothly," said Dasho Sangay Wangchug, a government culture official from the tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan. He added: "Anyway, it's a good opportunity for Buddhists from different traditions to come together and share." Lantern Ceremony at Putuo More than 1,000 Buddhist monks and experts moved on Saturday to the nearby Zhoushan city in east China's Zhejiang Province, where they will hold a lantern ceremony to pray for world peace. The ceremony is to be staged in Putuoshan, an islet of Zhoushan known as "Buddhism kingdom on the sea." One of the four renowned Buddhism resorts of China, Putuoshan is most famous for a Goddess of Mercy rite among over 20 temples and monasteries. The forum is expected to adopt a Putuoshan Declaration before its conclusion Sunday. see also China: China set to host Buddhist forum source: http://en.chinabroadcast.cn/811/2006/04/12/176@76729.htm Buddhist News Features: Sunday, January 24, 2009 Sunday, December 20, 2009 Sunday, November 15, 2009 |
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Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sammāsambuddhassa.
Buddha sāsana.m cira.m ti.t.thatu.
