On June 17, 2017, the first China-Canada-US Buddhist Forum was initiated by The Buddhist Association of Canada Cham Shan Temple and co-organized by The Buddhist Association of China, The Buddhist Association of Canada and the American Buddhist Confederation at the Medical Sciences Building of University of Toronto in Canada. Abbot of Lingyin Temple, Venerable Master Guangquan participated in the event along with Buddhist Masters and scholars of China, Canada, and the US.

The event featured many high-profile scholars, Buddhist masters and guests from China, US and Canada for the opening ceremony of the Buddhist forum, such as Chairman of The Buddhist Association of China Ven. Xuecheng, President of The Buddhist Association of Canada Ven. Dayi, Chairman of the American Buddhist Confederation Ven. Pindao, Vice-chairman of The Buddhist Association of China and Executive Vice-dean of The Buddhist Academy of China Ven. Zongxing, Vice Secretary General of The Buddhist Association of China and Vice-chairman of The Buddhist Association of Zhejiang Ven. Guangquan, Ven. Shengzhao from Cham Shan Chan Temple in Canada, Ven. Boyu from Buddha Temple in Canada, Honorary Chairman Ven. Xichen, Honorary Chairman Ven. Xiujue and Executive Vice-chairman Ven. Mingyu of the American Buddhist Confederation, Deputy Director Jiang Jianyong and Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs Xiao Hong of State Administration for Religious Affairs of P.R.C., Senator for Ontario of Canada the Honorable Victor Oh, Consul General of Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in Toronto Mr. He Wei, Member of the Ontario Provincial Parliament of Canada Han Dong, Director of Renmin University of China Institute for the Study of Buddhism and Religious Theory and professor from School of Philosophy Professor Zhang Fenglei, Director of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences Buddhism Research Center Professor Wei Daoru, Vice-president of University of Hong Kong and Director of Hong Kong Academy of Engineering Sciences Mr. Lee Chack-fan, Dean of Confucius Institute at Colombia University Mr. Wei Dedong, to name just a few.

The opening ceremony was hosted by Vice-chairman of The Buddhist Association of China and Executive Vice-dean of The Buddhist Academy of China Ven. Zongxing. Several guests delivered speeches at the ceremony, including President of The Buddhist Association of Canada Ven. Dayi, Chairman of The Buddhist Association of China Ven. Xuecheng, Chairman of the American Buddhist Confederation Ven. Pindao, Deputy Director of State Administration for Religious Affairs of P.R.C. Mr. Jiang Jianyong, Senator for Ontario of Canada the Honorable Victor Oh, Consul General of Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in Toronto Mr. He Wei, Member of the Ontario Provincial Parliament of Canada Han Dong, Director of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences Buddhism Research Center Professor Wei Daoru. The Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau personally called to express his congratulations on the success of the forum.

In the afternoon portion of the event, the forum carried out further discussion of the following three aspects: ＂Bodhisattva faith and worldly life＂, ＂Bodhisattva spirit and pacifism＂, and ＂the civilization of Buddhism and the dialogue between civilizations＂. The participants of the forum from China, Canada and US had lively discussions, touching on other subtopics such as thoughts and practice of humanistic Buddhism, the values and significance of thoughts and practice of the Bodhisattva path to the construction of world peace, the dialogue and difference between the Buddhist civilization and other religions or philosophical schools, the dialogue between Buddhism and science.

This was the first Buddhist forum held in Canada since its Confederation 150 years ago. This forum also marks as a historic landmark for the transmission of Buddhism in the West. The forum seeks far-reaching impact on the transmission of Chinese Buddhism in the world and for the global development of Buddhism.

The opening ceremony of the Buddhist forum


Ven. Zongxing presiding over the opening ceremony


Ven. Zongxing presiding over the opening ceremony


Deputy Director of State Administration for Religious Affairs of P.R.C.
Mr. Jiang Jianyong delivering a speech


Chairman of The Buddhist Association of China
Ven. Xuecheng delivering a speech


President of The Buddhist Association of Canada
Ven. Dayi delivering a speech


Exchanging gifts


Group photo from the event