By Vice President of the Buddhist Association of China, Xuecheng

Honorable representatives and guests:

It is a genial spring with gorgeous scenery. Flowers are blooming and the light of Buddha shines brilliantly over oriental pearl, Hong Kong. With the collective efforts of the three hosting organizations, active participations of the Forum's representatives, and vigorous support from all walks of society, the 3rd World Buddhist Forum is about to successfully concluding its two days of intensive and efficient deliberation. On behalf of the Buddhist Association of China, I hereby pay my highest respect to all the representatives of the Forum, and extend my heartfelt gratitude to all those laypeople disciples and volunteers who have selflessly contributed to the Forum!

Representatives from over 40 countries and regions globally attended the Forum, including Buddhist leaders from different countries, Great Elders and well known Buddhist scholars, as well as individual from different sectors of the society who are concerned with the development of Buddhism. The theme of the 3rd World Buddhist Forum is "Common Aspirations and Actions towards a Harmonious World". A total of 16 representatives have given their keynote lectures and speeches in the Forum. The Forum further created 7 sub-themes for the discussion among the representatives, ranging from topics such as Buddhist cultivation, Dharma dissemination, canons and scriptures, education, charity, culture, to international exchange. In addition, four sessions of television and internet video debates were held during the period. The conducive environment created by the Forum, with grandeur of the venue, highly-efficient meetings, friendly and enthusiastic discussion, has not only inherited the principles and spirit that are consistent with the previous two World Buddhist Forums, but also created its own distinctive features as follows: I. The conduct of the Forum in has significant meanings in terms of its timing and hosting location. 2012 is a year that attracts an immense attention in human history. Some people see it as a year of the "end of the world", while other regard it as a year when "the new replaces the old". According to the descriptions in the Buddhist scriptures and Buddhist doctrine, the year 2012 being a year of the "end of the world" can hardly be true. However, the prevailing concern and worry about "end of the world" indicate that people in general are increasingly feeling the sense of crisis and the heats of the problems, and therefore are in desperate need for solution. The 3rd World Buddhist Forum that took place just before the 2012 birthday of Sakyamuni Buddha manifested the global Buddhist community deep and earnest gratitude and recollection of Sakyamuni Buddha, the aspiration and determination to pass on the right Dharma of the Buddha that benefit all sentient beings, as well as the firm confidence in the promising future of human beings. The Forum also actively promoted solution to the pressing problems related to human survival and the realization of the world harmony and tranquility through reflection and rational thinking. Such approaches are instrumental in defusing people's inner fear and anxiety with the "end of the world" and as long as the mind is settled, the world can be comforted. This fully embodies the profound ancient wisdom of Buddhism and its irreplaceable importance in the modern world. The 3rd World Buddhist Forum that took place in Hong Kong also has its unique geographical significance. Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China where "One Country, Two Systems" is adopted. It is a modernized international metropolitan, an international financial center, a liberalized port and a well-developed material society; at the same time, it is also known as a city where the eastern and western culture meet and integrate seamlessly, and where religions coexist harmoniously. With its unique "One Country, Two Systems" political system that embodies the oriental political wisdom, a liberalized market economic, highly developed material civilization and a multicultural environment, Hong Kong epitomizes the environment and conditions for the contemporary Buddhist practices and dharma dissemination. The fact that the 3rd World Buddhist Forum was held in Hong Kong reflects the calmness, confidence and expediency the Buddhist Community has in responding to the changing needs of the society; in dealing with the lifelong issues of birth, death and nirvana; and in realizing liberation and attaining enlightenment. The Forum also coincided with the celebration of Buddha's Birthday organized by the Hong Kong Buddhist Association that oversaw the exhibition tour of the skull sarira of Sakyamuni Buddha, (enshrined in Nanjing's Bao'en Temple/Temple of Gratitude) to Hong Kong. The skull sarira of Sakyamuni Buddha was presented at the Forum's opening ceremony, ten of hundreds of monks together with other participants recited the Heart Sutra, invoking blessings from the Three Jewels and the universal illumination of compassionate light, thus creating the conducive conditions for a tranquil, harmonious, auspicious and joyful atmosphere of the Forum. Meanwhile, this year marks the 15th anniversary of the reunification of Hong Kong. The successful hosting of the 3rd World Buddhist Forum, and the exhibition of the skull sarira of Sakyamuni Buddha in Hong Kong, will certainly create the favorable conditions for Hong Kong citizen and promote the prosperity and stability of the Hong Kong society.

II. The theme of the Forum, "Common Aspirations and Actions towards a Harmonious World", demonstrates not only the thinking of "aspiration and conduct" which is a core principle of Buddhism, but also shares the same spirit with the themes of the previous two World Buddhist Forums ("A Harmonious World Begins with the Mind" and "A Harmonious World, A Synergy of Condition"). The Forum's theme possesses both essence and function, and is expressed in a rather perfect and succinct way that describes the wisdom and the positive effect that Buddhism has in the grand cause of constructing a harmonious world and subliming to the pure land in the realm of human beings. Emphasizing on the importance on the complete enlightenment of the mind, holistic development of the wisdom of the mind and the unrestricted application of the spiritual strength are the unique characteristic of Buddhism. On the other hand, while emphasizing the self-reflection that seek to find the cause in oneself instead of somebody else, Buddhism advocates perfect fusion and non-duality of mind-nature and Dharma-nature, the correspondence between nature-principle and actual things, and benefiting the self-complementing with benefiting others. Only when inside equals outside and the inner compassion and wisdom are manifested as the virtues, merits and causes beneficial to sentient beings, can liberation and enlightenment be truly realized, and the enlightenment and conduct be perfect. Aspiration and action are exactly the link between the internal mind and the external environment; aspiration coheres the strength of the mind and turns it into driving force; and cultivation manifests compassion and wisdom as virtue and merit. Both the secular success and the supra-mundane enlightenment rely on vows, aspirations, practice and earnest action. Regarding the supra-mundane, the Buddhas of the past, present and future are all guided by the great Bodhi resolve that they make during the countless kalpas, they diligently practice the Six Paramitas and the Ten Thousand Conducts, accumulate numerous virtues and merits till they ultimately attain the Buddha-fruition. In respect of the mundane, the world is created by the collective karma of the sentient beings. To change the various inharmonious phenomena of the world, human beings have to start with the root of the problem, which would be to remove inner greed, anger and ignorance, while placing equal importance on the management of conditions, be supported by aspiration that are put into actions. Only when all the human beings have the same aspirations towards harmony and purity, and have the same wholesome actions benefiting others, can the harmony of the world be truly realized. The theme "Common Aspirations and Actions towards a Harmonious World", with its unique appealing and mobilization forces, makes the vision Buddhism has for a Harmonious world, unfolding from aspiration to action, turning from thinking to practice, and expanding from individual to groups, are all expressed in a more comprehensive and strict way, with precise and coherent logic, and making the effect even more practical and powerful.

III. The 3rd World Buddhist Forum fully utilizes modern information technology channels such as satellite television and Internet; and deploys a range of communication methods like TV and Internet video forum discussion, website and microblog to increase the Forum's influence and enlarge its audience. By doing so, the Forum seeks to convey the real-time deliberation of the World Buddhist Forum to wider public so that more people can benefit from the profound wisdom of Buddhism. Various information technology such as internet and satellite television which are serving as an important medium for disseminating ideas, exchanging information and connecting interpersonal relations, are increasingly playing an important influence in the thinking, lifestyle and action of the contemporary human being. At the same time, these communication medium has also provided the needed space and convenient means for Buddhism to participate in society, disseminate Dharma, and guide and enlighten all sentient beings. Therefore, as Buddhist community we should adopt an open, all-inclusive, calm, active attitude; and a non-attaching, agile and flexible void-wisdom—to absorb the gist of the contemporary natural science, social science and even other cultures. This could be performed by making full use of the Internet and other new media to contribute to the development and dissemination of Buddhism that benefit all sentient beings and help carry forward the teaching of Buddhism.

Since 2006, three consecutive World Buddhist Forums have been successively organized. In the past six years, through active promotion and continuous efforts of the Buddhist communities from (the two straits and four regions of China), as well as with the rigorous support and enthusiastic involvement of the world Buddhist community, a mechanism of dialogue, exchange and cooperation has been gradually maturing under the platform of the Forum. As part of this development, the equality, diversity, and openness characteristic of the Forum are increasingly manifesting themselves. The conduct of the three consecutive World Buddhist Forums have been complying to the great teachings of the Buddha, facilitating equal participation to both Theravada and Mahayana, monastics and laypeople, Buddhist and non-Buddhist; upholding the principle of both Exoteric Buddhism and Esoteric Buddhism, ultimate truth and conventional truth, as well as mundane Dharma and supra-mundane Dharma, which all-encompassing and unimpeded; adhering also to the spirit of wisdom, middle way, compassion, tolerance, harmony, equality and all-encompassing; dedicating to the right faith, promoting the right Dharma, exchanging experiences of Dharma dissemination and benefiting sentient beings, discussing problems of common concern to human beings, and pledging the Buddhist proposition. For past six years, the World Buddhist Forum has become a grand gathering of the world Buddhist community, a platform of high level dialogue for insightful people who love for this world, care about all living beings, protect and uphold Buddhism, and with compassion. Thus the World Buddhist Forum has played a positive role and made special contribution to the attaining of people tranquility, promoting social harmony, maintaining world peace, and improving human beings' blessings.

The 3rd World Buddhist Forum is almost drawing to a close. While the gathering has been short, the good and wondrous karma that has been initiated in from this Forum will continue, and further expend into layer and layer of infinite great aspirations and actions to deliver all sentient beings. We, the Buddhist community of China, have always hoped and will continue to dedicate our efforts in formalizing the mechanism of the World Buddhist Form as a platform for high level international Buddhist dialogue, exchange and cooperation. We hope the Forum could play a greater role in the development of Buddhism and the construction of a harmonious world. Meanwhile, we earnestly hope that Dharma brothers of different countries would continue to support and participate in the World Buddhist Forum, and take use the Forum as an opportunity to enhance international dialogue, exchange and cooperation among Buddhists from different nations and regions. Collectively, we should aim for common aspirations and actions, vigorously shoulder the right Dharma of the Tathagata and the pursuit of enlightenment and liberation that benefit all sentient beings and help construct a harmonious world!

At last, I would like to extend my special appreciation to Hong Kong Buddhist Association, Hong Kong Buddhist community, the government of the Special Administrative Region, and all circles of society. In ensuring the successful organizing of the 3rd World Buddhist Forum, they have been collaborating very closely with the Mainland's Buddhist community. I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt admiration and gratitude for their "common aspirations and actions", selfless contribution and vigorous support from the bottom of my heart!

Thank you all!

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