World Buddhist Forum closes in SE China

The fifth World Buddhist Forum concluded on Tuesday in the city of Putian, southeast China's Fujian Province, with proposals for promoting Buddhist interactions and cultural relics protection.

Photo taken on Oct. 29, 2018 show the scene of a blessing ceremony at the fifth World Buddhist Forum in Putian, southeast China's Fujian Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

A record number of about 1,000 Buddhists, scholars and representatives from 55 countries and regions attended the three-day event, which is jointly hosted by the Buddhist Association of China and China Religious Culture Communication Association.

Wang Zuo'an, head of the China Religious Culture Communication Association, said they will continue to develop the forum into the most influential mechanism for Buddhist exchanges, so as to spread the voice of Buddhism in the world.

Proposals were made in a declaration at the conclusion of the forum for promoting the Buddhist spirits of peace and philanthropy, protecting the world's Buddhist cultural relics and enhancing people-to-people interactions along the Belt and Road, among others.

The World Buddhist Forum was initiated by the Buddhist circles in the Chinese mainland, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao in 2005.