Lingyin Temple’s third annual Culture Forum ＂Lingyin Temple and Buddhism in Southern Song Dynasty＂ was held on September 27, 2014, at Zhejiang Hotel in Hangzhou. The forum attracted over 130 senior Buddhist masters, notable academic scholars, experts, university professors and dignitaries from South Korea, Japan, the United States, Singapore, Taiwan, Beijing, Guangzhou, Xiamen and other parts of the country. Special guests included Deputy Director of Zhejiang Ethnic and Religious Affairs Committee Mo Xingfu, Deputy Commissioner of United Front Work Department of Hangzhou Municipal Committee and Party Secretary-General of Hangzhou Municipal Bureau of Ethnic and Religious Affairs Yang Zhigang, Chairman of Hangzhou Buddhist Association Abbot Venerable Guangquan, and Vice-chairman of Hangzhou Buddhist Association Master Zhiyuan, to name just a few.

 Monastery supervisor of Lingyin Temple Master Yankong hosting the opening ceremony

 Venerable Abbot Guangquan, Professor Yang Zengwen, Deputy Commissioner Yang Zhigang and Deputy Director Mo Xingfu all delivered a speech at the forum.

 This is the third annual Culture Forum organized by Lingyin Temple with the support of related government departments, Buddhist and academic communities. The forum is an exceptional cultural event to explore Lingyin Temple’s Buddhist history and culture and to promote the Buddhist culture of Lingyin Temple and Hangzhou. The theme of the forum was ＂Carry forward traditional culture and pursue our China Dream＂ and the discussions were focused on ＂Lingyin Temple and Buddhism in Southern Song Dynasty＂. The two-day session concluded successfully on September 28.