Buddhism, a bridge to peace

The humanitarian operations are conducted in the North of Sri Lanka to destroy terrorists and not to destroy innocent Tamils, said Most Ven. Udugama Sri Buddharakkhita Mahanayake Thera of the Asgiriya Chapter.

The prelate was addressing the inaugural sessions of the second World Buddhist Forum held at Wuxi, Taipei recently. It is very important for the world to understand true nature of Buddhism and it is the most important factor for the survival of the world, the Thera said.

The Sessions was held in Ling shan Buddha Palace constructed in the historical Ling Shan Buddhist temple in Wuxi - China specially for the second World Buddhist Forum. The New Ling shan Buddha Palace was a land mark building with all modern facilities to host over 1,500 delegates who attended the forum.

The Forum held in China and Taipei from March 26 to April 2 focused on the advice Buddhism could offer in solving the economic and political crisis faced by the modern world. A memorandum containing a summary of matters discussed and agreements reached at the conference was presented to China’s Religious Affairs Minister Shao Wen and the conference enabled Buddhist delegates to enhance mutual friendship and cordial relations, said Most Ven. Udugama Sri Buddharakkhita Mahanayake Thera.

The Forum was a culmination of three main sectors of the Buddhism namely Theravada, Mahayana and Tantrayayana ( Tibetan Buddhism ) on the theme of A Harmonious World, A Synergy of Conditions .

The 11th Panchen Lama, Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu who attended the opening ceremony of the Forum said “Through the two forums, we can see Buddhists in China are working hard with their counterparts in other countries for world peace. As part of them, Tibetan Buddhists should also spare no efforts in this cause through implementing and promoting Buddha’s teaching in the 21st Century.”

The Thailand Buddhist Congress and the Hong Kong Buddhist Congress sponsored the Forum organized by the Buddhist Association of the Chinese Government.

The main theme of this conference attended by delegates from 37 countries was “what contribution could Buddhist countries make in creating a peaceful world.” The largest single delegation was from Sri Lanka.

The Sri Lanka delegation included Most Ven. Udugama Sri Buddharakkhita Mahanayake Thera, Ven. Dr. Godagama Mangala Thera, Ven. Pahamune Sri Sumangala Thera, Ven. Prof. Bellanwila Wimalaratane Thera, Ven. Prof. Kollupitiya Mahinda Buddharakkhita Thera, Ven. Brahmanawatte Seevali Thera, Ven. Banagala Upatissa Chief Sanghanayake Thera of Japan, Ven. Keeniyawala Palitha Thera, Ven. Inamaluwe Sumangala Thera, Atamasthanadhipati Ven. Pallegama Siriniwasa Nayake Thera, Ven. Maduluwawe Sobhitha Thera, ACBC President Jagath Sumathipala, Sumathi Dharmawardena and the Vice Chancellor of the Peradeniya University.

Religious Affairs Minister Pandu Bandaranayake also participated as a special invitee.

At the Forum Minister Bandaranayake read the congratulatory message sent by President Mahinda Rajapaksa expressing his best wishes for the Buddhist Forum - Prarthana Weerasinghe