Wang Zuo'an, director of the State Administration for Religious Affairs, gives a message at the opening ceremony of the Third World Buddhist Forum in Hong Kong in April 2012. (Photo : www.en.people.cn)
The State Administration for Religious Affairs has announced the holding of the Fourth World Buddhist Forum in China’s eastern city of Wuxi in October this year, according to a report by Xinhua.
Jiang Jianyong, vice chairman of the China Religious Culture Communication Association, made the announcement at a press conference on Sunday, March 15.
This year's forum, with the theme "Exchange with Common Aspiration," is expected to discuss the positive role of Buddhist principles and thought in addressing problems that affect people and contribute to the development of people's lives.
Jiang said that he hoped the activities lined up for the forum would emphasize the impact of Buddhism in promoting social harmony, economic development and cultural enrichment.
It will be the second time for Wuxi to host the event. The city hosted the Second World Buddhist Forum on March 28, 2009.
The Third World Buddhist Forum was held in Hong Kong in April 2012, attended by more than 1,000 Buddhist monks and scholars from over 50 countries and regions, and discussed the role of Buddhism in the establishment of a world peace and social harmony.
The World Buddhism Forum is co-founded by the four Chinese regions. It is aimed at building an equal and open platform for high-level dialogues in the world of Buddhism.
The First World Buddhist Forum was held in the Chinese cities of Hangzhou and Zhoushan in Zhejiang Province in April 2006, while the second forum was opened in Jiangsu Province and closed in China's Taiwan in 2009.
The grand event has played a significant role in the history of Buddhism, which has been thriving for more than two thousand years in China.
