World Buddhism Forum in Review

The 1st World Buddhism Forum Time: April 13 to April 16, 2006 Place: Hangzhou, Zhejiang province

More than 2,000 dignitaries, scholars and government officials from 37 countries and regions attended the event, including Jia Qinglin, then the chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference; Liu Yandong, then the vice-chairman of the CPPCC; the 11th Panchen Qoigyi Gyaibo, Buddhist leaders of three Buddhism branches categorized by language and heads of major international Buddhism organizations. The then UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan sent a congratulatory message to the forum.

The 2nd World Buddhism Forum

Time: March 27 to March 29, 2009

Place: Lingshan Scenic Spot, Wuxi, Jiangsu province

The 2nd World Buddhism Forum attracted more than 1,700 dignitaries, Buddhist scholars and government officials from 50 countries and regions, including Jia Qinglin, then the chairman of the National Committee of CPPCC; Hui Liangyu, then the vice-premier of the State Council; Du Qinglin, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the CPPCC and the 11th Panchen Qoigyi Gyaibo; Buddhist leaders of three Buddhism branches categorized by language; heads of major international Buddhism organizations and other government officials.

Over 250 well-known media outlets gathered in Lingshan to cover the event.

The forum wrapped up successfully in Taipei Arena.

The 2nd World Buddhism Forum was the first event co-produced by Taiwan and the Chinese mainland, and as an international event it had an important political and cultural impact.

The 3rd World Buddhism forum

Time: April 25 to April 27, 2012

Place: Hong Kong

Thousands of attendees including dignitaries, Buddhist scholars and celebrities from all walks of life from more than 10 countries and regions gathered for the occasion.

At the time, the event was the first large-scale international religious meeting since Hong Kong's handover 15 years previously. It had an extensive and profound impact both at home and abroad, effectively demonstrating China's freedom of religious belief and the idea of building a harmonious society and world order.

(China Daily 10/24/2015 page12)