The 27th World Fellowship Of Buddhists Conference Opens In Shaanxi

The 27th World Fellowship of Buddhists (WFB) Conference was grandly held at Famen Temple in China from October 16 to 18, 2014, marking the first time the WFB Conference was hosted in mainland China. Nearly a thousand eminent monks, religious leaders, and Buddhist lay practitioners from around the world gathered in Baoji, China, to attend this significant event.

The theme of the conference was “Buddhism and Public Welfare.” The organizers held a seminar on Buddhism and charitable activities, as well as various solemn and distinctive events showcasing the characteristics of Chinese Buddhism. These included the grand opening ceremony, a prayer assembly for world peace featuring the veneration of the Buddha’s finger relic, an almsgiving ceremony, a lamp-lighting ceremony, and a Buddhist-themed evening gala. These activities expressed the profound aspirations of Buddhists worldwide to honor the teachings of the Buddha, dedicate themselves to spreading the Dharma for the benefit of all beings, safeguard world peace, and enhance the well-being of humanity.

The conference adopted the “27th WFB Baoji Declaration” and reached ten resolutions. It called on Buddhists around the world to:

1. Cultivate compassion to bring happiness to humanity,
2. Foster mutual respect to achieve social harmony,
3. Promote reconciliation to ensure world peace, and
4. Enhance friendships to create positive connections.