Buddhists from around the world gathered in Ningbo, a port city rich in Buddhist cultural heritage in East China’s Zhejiang Province, from October 15 to 17 for the Sixth World Buddhist Forum. This event aimed to promote peace, development and prosperity globally – an aspiration shared by all of humanity. Approximately 800 delegates, experts, and scholars from 72 countries and regions attended the forum.
The agenda covered a wide range of critical topics, including the inclusive wisdom of Buddhism, its spiritual essence, principles of equality, the transmission of the Dharma (the Buddha’s teachings), social responsibility, contributions to world peace, the influence of Buddhist art and culture on global exchanges, and Buddhism’s responses to modern challenges.
In today’s world, the impact of Buddhism is evident in the increasing interest in its philosophy and practices, such as mindfulness and meditation. The forum provided a platform to discuss how these practices can be further integrated into everyday life to promote individual well-being and societal harmony.
With a focus on dialogue, cultural exchange and social responsibility, the Sixth World Buddhist Forum sought to ensure that Buddhist teachings remain relevant and beneficial in contemporary society. Themed “Hand in Hand for Coexistence,” the event aimed to harness Buddhism’s collective wisdom to tackle global challenges and foster harmony. Venerable Master Minghai, vice president of the Buddhist Association of China, emphasized that the theme aligns with Buddhism’s core tenets, underscoring the religion’s ongoing relevance as the global community grapples with pressing issues that require collective action and unity.
Venerable Master Minghai’s perspective was echoed by Professor Zhang Fenglei, director of the Institute of Buddhism and Religious Theory at the Renmin University of China in Beijing. He noted that the theme embodies Buddhism's fundamental spirit: “When we reach a consensus and make joint efforts toward harmony and coexistence, human history can move toward peace and tolerance, leading to a global community with a shared future.”
Ningbo was chosen as the venue for this significant event due to its profound Buddhist heritage and its historical role in disseminating Buddhism both within China and globally. The city has been a pivotal site for the practice and promotion of Buddhism for over a millennium. Notably, Mount Xuedou in Ningbo is home to prominent Buddhist temples and a giant statue of Maitreya Buddha, the Buddha of compassion that is yet to visit this world.
Wei Daoru, a researcher at the Institute of World Religions at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that Maitreya has become a cherished figure in Chinese Buddhism. Maitreya embodies values such as tolerance, kindness, wisdom and joy – qualities that transcend religious boundaries and appeal universally. The spirit of tolerance, for instance, emphasizes inclusivity and understanding, crucial in today’s multicultural society. Wei argued that the values of harmony and kindness promote friendship and mutual support, which can help foster international cooperation in an increasingly globalized world.
One major topic discussed was the Sinicization of Buddhism. Zhang Fenglei highlighted that Buddhism’s introduction to China around 2,000 years ago during the Eastern Han Dynasty, initiated a long process of adaptation and integration with Chinese culture. Over the centuries, Buddhism interacted with Confucianism, Daoism and other indigenous philosophies, evolving into a unique Chinese form.
The Sinicization of Buddhism enriched Chinese culture and facilitated its spread to other parts of Asia.
Chinese monks and pilgrims carried Buddhist teachings to countries and regions like Japan, the Korean Peninsula and Southeast Asia, leaving a lasting cultural impact.
Banban Duojie, a senior professor at the Minzu University of China in Beijing, said that Chinese Buddhism encompasses various Buddhist systems that have developed within China.
He detailed the emergence of Han Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism and Theravada Buddhism, highlighting the coexistence and mutual enrichment of these schools throughout Chinese history.
Duojie described the relationship among these three schools as “similarities amidst differences and differences amidst similarities.” This intricate relationship is difficult to replicate elsewhere, as the Chinese cultural community, with Confucianism as its foundation, allows for a harmonious coexistence of diverse Buddhist traditions.
He elaborated on the different methods of Chinese and Western hermeneutics, emphasizing that the evolution of Buddhist schools reflects the necessity of localization and adaptation to contemporary contexts. Classic texts evolve with new interpretations, maintaining a continuity that reflects unity and diversity.
The forum also celebrated Buddhism’s rich cultural legacy, focusing on its art and cultural exchanges. The history of Buddhism’s spread along the Silk Road exemplifies its role in facilitating cultural interactions and artistic exchanges.
Zhang Zhigang, vice president of the China Association for Religious Studies, noted that Buddhist art from India and China showcases a successful cultural dialogue. He highlighted the artistic expressions of different Buddhist traditions, from the majestic sculptures of the Yungang Grottoes in Shanxi Province to the intricate paintings of the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, Gansu Province, as representations of profound Buddhist teachings.
Buddhist communities on both sides of the Taiwan Strait expressed strong desires to strengthen cross-Strait exchanges. Venerable Hsin Bao, abbot of Fo Guang Shan Temple in Taiwan, emphasized that the Fo Guang Shan Institute of Humanistic Buddhism fosters friendly interactions across the Strait. Venerable Minghai said that Buddhism, as a shared cultural heritage, requires joint efforts for its transmission and development.
Minghai noted that both communities could learn from each other’s practices, enhancing mutual understanding and cooperation. Taiwanese Buddhism offers advanced practices in organizational management and social charity, while Chinese mainland Buddhism provides rich resources in temple construction and classical studies. Regular exchanges can leverage each side’s strengths to promote Buddhist culture and contribute positively to broader Chinese culture.
Minghai underscored that Buddhism’s principles of compassion and equality accord with the goals of peaceful cross-strait development. Strengthening exchanges can enhance trust and mutual understanding, creating a conducive atmosphere for integration and cooperation.
The forum also addressed the digitalization of Buddhist classics, showcasing how technology can help preserve and promote Buddhist teachings. Huang Pingping, secretary-general of the USbased International Avatamsaka Institute, highlighted efforts to digitize texts like the Chinese Buddhist canon, making Buddhist literature more accessible.
The forum concluded with the Mount Xuedou Declaration, advocating diligent practice of the Threefold Path – self-discipline, concentration and wisdom – to ensure the healthy transmission of Buddhism. The declaration called for exchanges across the Chinese Buddhist schools and highlighted the importance of fostering harmony between humanity and nature.
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