A media forum, with the topic "East to West – Buddhist Civilization on the Silk Road", was held at Lingshan Buddha Palace on Oct 24.

The forum, planned by Venerable Master Zhan Ru, vice president of the Buddhist Association of China, looked back to Buddhist civilization on the Silk Road in ancient times and explored the impact that Buddhism could have on cross-cultural communication today.

Li Li'an, director of the Institute of Buddhist Studies of Northwest University, was in attendance and introduced some historical Buddhist masters who dedicated themselves to cultural exchange along the Silk Road. One such master was Xuan Zang, a noted monk during the Tang dynasty (618-907), who made an arduous journey to India to study Buddhism. He said Buddhism has always played an active role in facilitating communication between human civilizations.

Hao Chunwen, president of the Institute of Dunhuang and Turfan Studies, China, said at the forum that Buddhists should keep pace with modern times and add new content to the study of Buddhism, contributing to cultural exchange along the Silk Roadt.

Hao expects Buddhism to boost the Belt and Road initiative, a national development strategy and framework focusing on connectivity and cooperation among countries primarily in Eurasia, and to promote the development of human civilization.

A media forum, with the topic "East to West – Buddhist Civilization on the Silk Road", is held at Lingshan Buddha Palace on Oct 24. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Initiated by Buddhist communities in the Chinese mainland, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao in 2005, the World Buddhist Forum is a platform for Buddhist communication and cooperation.

The forum this year included a range of events, such as conferences, sub-forums, prayer meetings, Buddhist feasts, exhibitions and cultural performances.