72 nations take part in World Buddhist Forum

Spreading peace, development and prosperity around the world are common pursuits for Buddhists and all humanity. This shared vision will be illustrated at the Sixth World Buddhist Forum, which begins on Tuesday at Mount Xuedou in Ningbo, Zhejiang province.

Themed "Hand in Hand for Coexistence", the three-day event will be attended by some 800 participants from 72 countries and regions who aim to seek consensus and practical approaches to address global challenges in an ever-evolving world, said Venerable Master Minghai, vice-president of the Buddhist Association of China, at a news conference ahead of the forum on Monday in Ningbo.

The forum will include one main seminar and several side discussions on topics such as the wisdom of inclusiveness in Buddhism, the digitalization of Buddhist scriptures and the charm of Buddhist art. The talks will be held both offline and online to increase participation in the dialogue.

The forum will serve as a diverse and dynamic platform to delve into the cultural essence, ideological significations and contemporary value of Buddhism, featuring exhibitions, music performances and ceremonies.

Minghai said it will be a dialogue "to engage not only Buddhists but also all members of the world to communicate on ways of interaction to improve relations between people, and between people and nature, so as to realize harmonious coexistence".

The World Buddhist Forum was first held in 2006 in Hangzhou and Zhoushan, both in Zhejiang. It aims to serve as an equal, diverse and open platform of high-level dialogue for those who cherish the world, care for all sentient beings, espouse Buddhism and embody compassion.

Ningbo is a vital port along the southeastern coast of China where agriculture meets aquaculture. As one of the key ports of the Maritime Silk Road, it is also a gateway for Chinese to conduct exchanges with the world.

The long and rich history of Ningbo is vividly exemplified by it cultural resources, including centuries-old temples such as the Xuedou Temple, which is situated at Mount Xuedou.

Contact the writers at linqi@chinadaily.com.cn