“The Wisdom of the Silk Road” - South China Sea Buddhism Shenzhen Roundtable Forum

第八届南海佛教深圳圆桌会议在科伦坡召开

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Under the theme of “Walking together in harmony and gathering the wisdom of the Silk Road,” the 08th South China Sea Buddhism Shenzhen Roundtable Forum held at the BMICH in Colombo, Sri Lanka on December 11, 2023. This forum held for commemorating the 10th anniversary of China’s introduction of the Belt and Road initiative. The forum is presided over by Most Venerable Senior Master Yin Shun, the Vice President of the Buddhist Association of China and Abbot of the Shenzhen Hongfa Temple in China.

科伦坡——为纪念中国提出“一带一路”倡议10周年,在斯里兰卡总统拉尼尔·维克勒马辛哈阁下的主持下,第八届南海佛教深圳圆桌会议将于2023年12月11日在科伦坡BMICH举行。2023年科伦坡论坛以“和谐同行,汇聚丝绸之路智慧”为主题,由中国德高望重的高僧尹顺长老主持。该活动由科伦坡的Gangaramaya寺庙主办。

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The Forum was attended by more than 400 monks, scholars, government officials, and representatives from all walks of life from 32 countries and regions including China, Cambodia, Japan, United States, India, Vietnam, France, Sri Lanka, etc. A series of events from December 11 – 14, 2023 in Colombo will reinforce bonds among Buddhist communities, addressing topics such as peace and development, cultural exchanges, education, young talent and charitable initiatives.

“2023年南海佛教深圳圆桌会议”,由长老主持。会议邀请了冈嘎拉马寺现任首席加利博达·格拉尼萨拉·塞罗,以及冈嘎拉马长老。冈嘎拉马寺副现任院长Kirinde Assaji Thero旨在将德高戒律高的僧侣、学者、政治人物和社会各界知名人士聚集在一起,促进共识,为这一重要场合做出贡献。12月11日至14日在科伦坡举行的一系列活动将加强佛教社区之间的联系,讨论和平与发展、文化交流、教育、青年人才和慈善活动等主题。

Most Venerable Senior Master Yin Shun, the Vice President of the Buddhist Association of China and Abbot of the Shenzhen Hongfa Temple in China delivered a keynote speech. The South China Sea Buddhism Shenzhen Roundtable, which has been held annually since 2016 to foster collaboration and integration among different religions and cultures. In addition to Most Venerable Senior Master Yin Shun role as an Abbot for the Hongfa Temple and the Nanshan Temple in China as well as the Chinese Zhanghua Monastery Lumbini in Nepal, Most Venerable Senior Master Yin Shun has initiated a number of projects to promote cultural exchanges among Buddhist communities in surrounding countries and regions.

应甘嘎拉马耶寺的邀请,来自32个国家的400多名代表将参加此次会议,加强合作,促进旅游业的发展。中国代表团将访问康提佛牙寺。随后,中国代表团和商界领袖将在总理府举行特别晚宴。

Most Venerable Master Yin Shun, the Dharma successor of Ven. Master Ben Huan and the 45th successor of the Linji Sect of Chinese Buddhism, holds various prominent roles, including Committee Member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Vice Chairman of the Buddhist Association of China, Chairman of the Buddhist Association of Hainan Province, Honorary Chairman of the Buddhist Association of Hubei Province and Chairman of the Buddhist Association of Shenzhen. Most Venerable Yin Shun actively explores suitable modes of existence and development for Buddhist monasteries in modern society.

2023年10月20日,“2023南海佛教圆桌会”传统传承仪式在湖北省随州市大红山举行。仪式由司仪中国佛教协会副会长、深圳弘法寺方丈王强主持。王步日,来自柬埔寨的佛教徒。斯里兰卡冈嘎拉马寺副院长Kirinde Assaji Thero长老将与来自20个国家和地区的宗教代表、专家学者合影。

Most Venerable Senior Master Yin Shun always trying to his best for aims to continue promoting interreligious dialogue and cooperation for the advancement of peace and harmony in the region. Also, Buddhism is exchanging and supporting each other (at the roundtable) on an equal footing and making unremitting efforts to pray for world peace and human well-being.

尹顺长老,本涣禅师的佛法继承者,中国佛教林济宗第45代传人,历任全国政协委员、中国佛教协会副会长、海南省佛教协会会长、湖北省佛教协会名誉会长、深圳市佛教协会会长等重要职务。他也是众多寺院的住持,包括深圳弘法寺、三亚南山寺、尼泊尔彰化寺。殷顺长老积极探索佛教寺院在现代社会的生存与发展模式。

The Vice President of the Buddhist Association of China and Abbot of the Shenzhen Hongfa Temple in China Most Venerable Senior Master Yin Shun also shared his plans to deepen the “Way to Light” campaign, which aims to provide medical treatment and support to visually impaired patients, particularly those suffering from cataracts, in surrounding countries and regions. The campaign has aided education in poverty-stricken areas simultaneously. The campaign has benefited nearly 2,000 visually impaired patients in countries such as Cambodia, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

在这个充满不确定性的世界里,德高望重的僧人、品格高尚的个人以及坚守佛陀教义的贤惠男女应当寻求共同点,努力实现和谐共处。聚集智慧,达成共识,渴望建立一个让人们内心平静的基础,通过团结一致的行动来维护佛教固有的智慧和同情心。

In a world marked by uncertainties, venerable monks, individuals of noble character and virtuous men and women adhering to Buddha’s teachings seek common ground, striving for harmonious coexistence. They gather wisdom, reach consensus, and aspire to establish a foundation bringing peace to people’s hearts, upholding the inherent wisdom and compassion of Buddhism through united action.

对于即将到来的活动,Kirinde Assaji长老表示:“2023年科伦坡圆桌论坛是斯里兰卡佛教史上的一个重要时刻。举办一个如此重要的国际论坛,由高级主教参加,例如来自中国的尹顺长老,以及众多来自该地区的高级教士和其他达官显贵,对我们来说是一个巨大的荣誉。除了在瞬息万变的世界中培养佛教的生活方式外,这些活动还将促进斯里兰卡旅游业和整体经济的增长。”

The South China Sea Buddhism Roundtable was launched in 2016. In 2022, it was held overseas for the first time in Phnom Penh of Cambodia, attracting Buddhist representatives and guests from 18 countries and regions, including China, Cambodia, Thailand, Mongolia and Japan. They signed a pact during the conference to advocate more extensive cooperation in terms of culture and education, healthcare, charity and environmental protection.

冈伽拉马耶寺组织的一系列活动都令人瞩目。其中包括启动“2023丝绸之路光明行动”,由中国外科医生在斯里兰卡医院开展100例白内障手术等一系列相关活动;与凯拉尼亚大学合作举办“2023南海佛教圆桌会议佛教教育分论坛”和“2023南海佛教圆桌会议青年分论坛”;为庆祝Gangaramaya寺现任首席Galboda Gnanissara Thero长老八十寿辰而布施的祈福;一个丰富多彩,为祈祷世界和平的祈祷perahera宗教仪式(街头游行),届时各位部长、国务部长和各部委秘书也将出席仪式。

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On the occasion, the representatives from various countries and regions focused on the theme of the Roundtable “Walking Together in Harmony and Gathering the Wisdom of the Silk Road.” Through exchanges and dialogues, attendees have reached a consensus on multiple topics, including improving the mechanism of mutual learning among civilizations, promoting people-to-people exchanges along the Silk Road, and deepening exchanges and cooperation among Han Chinese, Chinese Tibetan, and Theravada Buddhism. In addition, attendees have signed an initiative for the Roundtable, agreeing to work together to implement the initiative, jointly promote exchanges and mutual learning, enhance people-to-people connectivity, and contribute to peace in the South China Sea.

The customary handing over ceremony of 2023 Nanhai Buddhist Roundtable was held in Dahong Mountain, Suizhou City, Hubei Province on October 20th, 2023. The ceremony was carried out by Most Venerable Wang Qiang, Vice President of the Buddhist Association of China and Abbot of Hong Fa Temple in Shenzhen; Ven. Wang Bugri, Buddhist from Cambodia and Ven. Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thero, Deputy Incumbent, Gangaramaya Temple, Sri Lanka amidst religious representatives, experts and scholars, representing 20 countries and regions.

Expanding on the upcoming events, Ven. Dr. Kirinde Assaji stated, “The 2023 Colombo Forum of the Roundtable marks a significant moment in Sri Lankan Buddhist history. Hosting an international forum of this stature, attended by senior prelates like Most Venerable Master Yin Shun from China, along with numerous high-profiled prelates and other dignitaries from the region, is a great honor for us. Beyond fostering a Buddhist way of living in a rapidly changing world, these events will contribute to the growth of the tourism sector in Sri Lanka and the overall economy.”

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The series of events organized by Gangaramaya Temple includes numerous noteworthy activities. They encompass the launch of the “2023 Silk Road Brightness Action” – carrying out 100 cataract surgeries at Lanka Hospital by Chinese surgeons and a series of related activities; the 2023 South China Sea Buddhist Roundtable Buddhist Education Sub-Forum and 2023 South China Sea Buddhist Roundtable Youth Sub-Forum held in collaboration with Kelaniya University; an alms giving to cite blessings for the 81st birthday of Ven. Dr. Galabada Gnanissara Thero, Chief Incumbent of Gangaramaya Temple; a colorful perahera (street pageant) and a religious ceremony that includes a pooja to invoke blessings for world peace. Hon. Ministers, State Ministers, and Secretaries of all the Ministries are scheduled to attend the ceremony.

The 2023 South China Sea Buddhism Shenzhen Roundtable, organized under the auspices of Ven. Dr. Galabada Gnanissara Thero, Chief Incumbent of Gangaramaya Temple, and the invitation of Ven. Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thero, Deputy Incumbent of Gangaramaya Temple.

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Buddhika Sanjeewa
Founder / Chairman / Chief Editor of Chanxin / Bhikkhunis / Mettavalokanaya Magazines & Websites – Sri Lanka.