(Translated by Adrian Chan-Wyles PhD)
One of the main contents of "The Pearl of Snow-China Tibetan Culture Week", has been the Buddhist monk exchange symposium held in Hong Kong this afternoon (16.7.2005). The theme of the symposium was "Buddhism and the Construction of a Harmonious Society". Living Buddhas (Tulkus) and Senior Monks from Tibet, Qinghai, Gansu, Sichuan and Hong Kong - together with Buddhist researchers - discussed the relationship between Buddhism and the construction of a harmonious (Socialist) society, as well as the interconnection and very good relations that typifies Sino-Tibetan Buddhism. Recognised experts expressed their opinions on various topics regarding the broad subject of how a harmonious society might be constructed. More than 100 people from all walks of life including Han and Tibetan Buddhists, Buddhist believers and students attended the symposium.
The chairman of the Hong Kong Buddhist Federation, Venerable Kwok Kwong (觉光长), said in his speech that the Buddhist philosophy of compassion, equality for all beings, selflessness, altruism, and conscious awareness of others, is ideal for social harmony and world peace, as well as ensuring peace and harmony between people within society. Qinghai Provincial Committee of the CPPCC Vice Chairman Sina (西纳) Living Buddha (Tulku) believes that Tibetan Buddhism is a religion of peace which advocates harmony, seeking common ground while recognising differences, practicing inclusiveness, advocating harmony and praising peace. Tibetan Buddhism has always been committed to advocating equality, respecting compassion, purifying people's hearts, and opposing war. These core concepts and spiritual values of Tibetan Buddhism also reflect the requirements for building a harmonious society. In the process of building a harmonious socialist society, the harmonious concept in the teachings of Tibetan Buddhism should be brought into play, and the Tibetan Buddhist community should be organized and guided to build a harmonious society. Tibetan society makes its own contribution toward the building of (Socialist) society.
Saichang Lubsang Huadan (赛仓·罗桑华丹) Living Buddha (Tulku), a member of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC in Gansu Province, said that Buddhism advocates compassion and self-improvement. To obtain psychological balance, and then to enhance the spiritual realm of people; to provide a "detoxification mechanism" for society, to maintain social stability and spiritual ecological balance. The Duoji Tashi (多吉扎西) Living Buddha (Tulku) from Ganzi Prefecture of Sichuan said that Buddhism is a people-oriented religion. To learn Buddhism, you must first learn to be a human being. To build a harmonious society is based primarily upon the establishment of a noble personality. You need to work hard to improve your personality and reduce selfishness. Buddhist psychology purifies words and deeds, and emphasises respect and care for others, whilst observance of social ethics of fairness and justice are consistent with its genuine practice. Everyone will abandon evil and all will do perform good actions – this will surely lead to social harmony and national tranquillity.
Hong Kong’s Dharma Master Juezhen (觉真) believes that Buddhism is the belief of the entire people of Tibetans, Mongolians, Dais, and Tus. Strengthening the unity of various ethnic groups, enhancing social cohesion and building a harmonious society are not only the advantages of Buddhism, but also the common aspiration of Buddhists. Individual Buddhists and Buddhist organizations should serve society with the Buddha's compassionate spirit, devote themselves to charity and public welfare, care for disadvantaged groups, rescue the poor, help the poor, and play an important role in safeguarding the unity of the Socialist Motherland, strengthening national unity, and expanding friendly exchanges with foreign countries.
Chinese Source Article:
http://news.sina.com.cn/o/2005-07-16/21506452528s.shtml
佛教高僧座谈“佛教与构建和谐社会”(图)
人民网香港7月16日电记者刘韬摄影报道:“雪域明珠——中国西藏文化周”的主要内容之一,佛教高僧交流座谈会今天下午在香港举行。座谈会的主题为“佛教与构建和谐社会”,来自西藏、青海、甘肃、四川等地的活佛高僧与香港的佛教高僧、佛学研究者等,就佛教与构建和谐社会的关系,以及汉藏佛教如何为构建和谐社会做出贡献等话题发表了自己的意见。汉藏佛教界人士、佛教信众和学生等各界人士100多人出席了座谈会。
香港佛教联合会会长觉光长老在致词时说,佛教的慈悲思想,众生平等,主张自利利他、自觉觉他,就是为了社会和谐与世界和平,以及人与人之间的和合和睦。青海省政协副主席西纳活佛认为,藏传佛教是和平的宗教,主张以和为贵、求同存异、兼容并蓄、崇尚和谐、褒扬和平,始终致力于提倡平等、推崇慈悲、净化人心和反对战争。藏传佛教的这些核心理念和精神价值也体现了构建和谐社会的要求,在构建社会主义和谐社会的过程中,应发挥藏传佛教教义中的和谐理念,组织和引导藏传佛教界为构建和谐社会做出自己的贡献。
甘肃省政协常委赛仓·罗桑华丹活佛说,佛教主张慈悲为怀、自贵其心,这个基本主张在构建社会主义和谐社会的过程中,有着独特的作用:对个人可提供安身立命之处,以求得心理平衡,并进而提升人的精神境界;对社会则可提供一种“解毒机制”,维护社会安定和精神生态平衡。来自四川甘孜州的多吉扎西活佛说,佛教是以人为本的宗教,学佛首先要学习做人,而构建和谐社会,正是以高尚人格的建立为基础,需要努力提高自己的人格修养,减少自私自利的心理和言行,尊重、关心他人,遵守公平正义的社会公德,这与学佛修行是一致的。人人都诸恶莫作、众善奉行,必定会社会和谐、国家安宁。香港的觉真法师认为,佛教是藏族、蒙古族、傣族、土族等民族的全民信仰,加强各民族的团结、增强社会凝聚力和建设和谐社会,既是佛教的优势所在,也是佛教徒的共同心愿。佛教徒和佛教团体应以佛陀的慈悲精神服务社会,投身慈善公益事业,关怀弱势群体,救灾济困,助学扶贫,并在维护祖国统一,加强民族团结,扩大对外友好交往等方面发挥重要作用。