CHINA / National

Buddhism highlighted in social harmony
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-05-10 22:02

At the five-day-long forum, 1,000 Buddists from 37 countries and regions focused on Buddhism's unity and cooperation, its social responsibilities and the peaceful mission to stimulate different countries, nations and religions to work for a peaceful, prosperous and harmonious world.

They even worked out new moral teachings for social harmony, which says a pacified mind sprouts a pacified land, a tranquil mind a tranquil public, and a peaceful mind a peaceful world.

In Oct. 2004, eight monks from the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan first proposed the forum to promote Buddhism development and discuss ways to build a harmonious world, a suggestion that immediately won support from Buddhist circles in Japan and the Republic of Korea.

Wherever senior monks and nuns participating in the forum went, they were greeted by pious smiles and many were asked to leave their "mobao", which literally means "precious calligraphy writing" in Chinese. Cameras clicking and DV rolling, not only reporters, but many junior monks were busy recording every moment.

Zhanzheng, 32, followed his teacher Ven. Haitao from Taiwan to travel around the island province, the mainland and southeast Asia preaching Buddhist teachings. The handsome young man said he no longer found his mind bewildered after he began learning Buddhist teachings three years ago.

"Young men like me feel anxious and confused with the pressure of competition and high expectations. Now I know how to help others and live a more meaningful life," he said, smiling at videos he shot for Life TV channel sponsored by Haitao, a source for many Taiwanese to learn Buddhist teachings and new developments.

At Mount Putuo nearby Zhoushan city, "an island kingdom of Buddhism on the sea," thousands of people, believers or not, followed the monks and nuns to place candles in lotus lamps before the gilded Goddess of Mercy statue in Puji Monastery, a lamp transmission ceremony meant to expel the darkness of mind.

"I don't believe in Buddhism. But facing the Goddess of Mercy, I'm pious and believe my prayer can be heard," said 16-year-old student Xiao Chen. Apparently, she was influenced by her mother, who saluted every passing monk.
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