The tenth Nanhai Buddhism Roundtable opened in Shenzhen, China, bringing together Buddhist leaders and international delegates for two days of discussions and cultural exchange.
The programme began on 23 November at Hongfa Temple with a preparatory meeting, a World Peace Praying Ceremony, and an evening temple dinner. The main sessions continued on 24 November at the Wuzhou Hotel, where the Opening Ceremony and Main Forum were held.
The delegation of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha attending the Buddhism roundtable included Senior Venerable Thích Đức Thiện, Vice President - General Secretary of the Central Executive Council cum Head of the International Buddhist Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, and Senior Venerable Thích Thanh Tuấn, Deputy General Secretary of the Executive Council, cum Chief of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha’s Central Office.
The Nanhai Buddhism Roundtable is a high-level regional forum for Buddhist dialogue and cooperation. The conference aims to promote exchanges among Buddhist communities in countries and regions surrounding the Nanhai, strengthen Buddhist friendship, collaboratively address the challenges of modern society, and promote the positive role of Buddhism in maintaining regional peace and cultural prosperity.
The 2025 conference with theme "Middle Way for Perfect Harmony, Exchange for Civilisation" took place on November 24-25 focusing on theoretical discussions and specific cooperation projects including: Buddhist educational exchanges, training young monks and nuns, preserving Buddhist cultural heritage, and promoting charitable activities, opening up many opportunities for practical cooperation and sustainable development in the region.
Participants at 10th Nanhai Buddhism Roundtable
Speaking at the 10th Nanhai Buddhism Roundtable, Senior Venerable Thích Đức Thiện emphasized the journey of cooperation and exchange among Buddhist sanghas from regional forums to international mechanisms, contributing to promoting peace, wisdom, and the spirit of tolerance and understanding among civilizations.
In the spirit of deep awareness that Buddhist cooperation in the Nanhai region is not only an exchange between Buddhist traditions, but also a concrete action for peace, for humanity, for our green planet, Venerable Thich Duc Thien shared some observations: First, it is necessary to deepen dialogue between civilizations, build trust together, and build bridges of mutual understanding; Second, strengthen regional cooperation and create the strength of Buddhist solidarity; Third, train Buddhist talents to meet the challenges of the times.
"Promoting cooperation and mutual learning between civilizations is the mission that the times entrust to us today," Senior Venerable Thích Đức Thiện added.
Senior Venerable Thích Đức Thiện speaks at the event
Sharing about the Buddhist life in Vietnam, Most Venerable Thich Duc Thien stated that with the fusion of Northern and Southern traditions, Buddhism has actively participated in youth forums, education, and practice methods, while enhancing the training of talented monks, addressing the challenges of the times, and promoting integration with modern science and technology. The Venerable also emphasized the importance of strengthening the relationship between Dharma friends, expanding cooperation, and creating peace and happiness for the people, contributing to the sustainable development of the Nanhai region and the world.
Posing for group photo at opening ceremony of Buddhism Roundtable
Within the 10th Nanhai Buddhism Roundtable in Shenzhen, on the morning of November 25, Senior Venerable Thích Giải Hiền, Standing Member of the International Buddhist Committee of the Central Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, and Senior Venerable Thích Thiện Hạnh, Deputy Head of the Executive Committee cum Head of the Propagation Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in Bac Ninh province participated in the Buddhist Education Forum session.
At the forum session, Senior Venerable Thích Giải Hiền delivered a speech themed: "The role and legal legacy of Most Venerable Thích Trí Thủ in the revival of Vietnamese Buddhism", while Senior Venerable Thích Thiện Hạnh contributed a paper themed "Propagating Buddhism in the new era: Taking the Buddha as the teacher, taking practice as the path".
The presentations have contributed to clarifying the intellectual value and heritage of Vietnamese Buddhism in the international arena. The presence of the Vietnamese monks affirmed the spirit of integration, dialogue, and service for the common development of world Buddhism, continuing to spread the image of Vietnamese Buddhism with the spirit of compassion, wisdom, and responsibility in the new era.
Delegates attending Youth Forum session took group photo
Participating in the Youth Forum session, Venerable Thích Vạn Lợi, Deputy Director of the Buddhist Document Translation Center delivered a speech with the theme "Buddhist Summer Retreat - A Bridge for Global Moral Education from the Spirit of Vietnamese Buddhism," emphasizing the role of experiential education and the companionship of Buddhism for the young generation in the era of integration. The speech also introduced the unique model of studying and practicing in Vietnam to international friends, spreading the spirit of compassion, wisdom, and humanistic values of Buddhism in educating today's youth.
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The Nanhai Buddhism Roundtable is initiated in 2016 with the goal of fostering exchange, cooperation, and integration among different Buddhist traditions in South and Southeast Asia. The event is organized by Chinese Buddhist institutions, including the Nanhai Buddhist Academy, and the Youth Chawnese Sodality of Shenzhen. The first conference was held in Sanya located in China’s Hainan Province in 2016. The stated aims include safeguarding peace, fostering cultural exchanges, nurturing understanding among civilizations, and promoting cooperation in culture, education, healthcare, and charity. The "Way to Light" campaign, which provides medical aid to visually impaired patients in various countries, is one of its notable charitable initiatives. The conference is an annual event that has been held in various locations, including China, Cambodia, Thailand, and Nepal. The 2022 forum in Phnom Penh was the first time it was held outside of China. The 9th edition of the roundtable was held in Kathmandu and Lumbini of Nepal in December 2024, with the theme "Flowing of One Dharma, Harmonizing the World". |
Linh Nguyen
