By Keen Zhang, China.org.cn staff reporter in Taipei

Closing Ceremony of the Second World Buddhist Forum [Keen Zhang/China.org.cn]

The Second World Buddhist Forum concluded on Wednesday in Taipei with messages of hope from prominent Buddhist figures.

"We are convinced the forum will enhance the communication and integration of the Buddhist community all over the world," said Venerable Master Kok Kwong, president of the Hong Kong Buddhist Association, in a speech at the closing ceremony.

"It will also strengthen the friendship between the Buddhists in the world and contribute to the sustainable development of Buddhism and a harmonious world," he said.

Buddhist nun Dhammawati, the president of Dharmakirti Vihar and president of International Nuns Association of Nepal, told China.org.cn that she thought the forum has achieved its goal: "To make Buddhism known to the world, Buddhists around the world should come together to light up this forum. We have put all our efforts in this," Dhammawati said. "If we continue to do this as well as we can, we will attain our objectives in the end," she added.

More than 1,000 eminent monks, scholars and figures from around 50 countries and regions, who were inspired by the theme "A Harmonious World; A Synergy of Conditions", attended the closing ceremony of the forum.

But Venerable Dr. Khammai Dhammasami, the Abbot of Oxford Buddha Vihara, said he wanted more.

"The organization is very good, the hospitality is also very good, but as a scholar I am concerned that not many scholars from the West and the rest of the world have come to the forum - most who have attended were from Chinese-speaking regions. It would be good to invite more representatives from other countries," he told China.org.cn.

But he stressed that despite this minor point, on the whole the forum has been very successful.

"This is a very good international forum for all Buddhists, not just for Chinese Buddhists from across the Straits, but also for those from the Five Continents of the world. It is a very good international forum for all of us to come together, to discuss, to network, to work together for peace," he said.

In 18 sub-forums during the five-day event, the participants discussed topics such as the preservation of Buddhist music and the Tripitaka, considered the encyclopedia of Buddhist culture, the relationship between Buddhism and science, Buddhism and environmental protection, Buddhist charity, management of Buddhist organizations, and Buddhism and Modernity.

The forum, which opened Saturday in the east China city of Wuxi, was jointly organized by the Buddhist Association of China, the Buddha's Light International Association (BLIA), the Hong Kong Buddhist Association, and the China Religious Culture Communication Association, with the theme "A Harmonious World; A Synergy of Conditions."

The participants moved to Taipei on four direct charter flights on Monday after the first part of the forum ended Sunday.

"The improved relations across the Taiwan Straits since last year made the forum possible," said Wu Poh-hsiung, vice president of BLIA, "This is very significant."

Wu, who is also Chairman of the Kuomintang Party, said the harmonious and peaceful situation across the Straits did not come easily and should be cherished and preserved.

He also forwarded the good wishes of Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou.

The forum concluded with a declaration calling for the education of monks and cultivation of Buddhist talents, stronger interaction between Buddhism and higher education and the spreading of the charitable and benevolent thoughts of Buddhism to commerce.

"Only with a united heart will there be harmony; and only with respect will there be peace..." The declaration came from Master Hsing Yun, the founder of the Buddha's Light International Association, who later led 20,000 Buddhists in a grand prayer ceremony at the Taipei Arena at the end of the closing ceremony with starry candles lighting up the venue.