At an international academic seminar on Buddhism on Mount Wutai, in Shanxi province that opened on July 19 has drawn in politicians, provincial and municipal religious figures, and scholars from famous universities around the world, they announced that Wutai?would be founding an international Buddhist institute.

In addressing the gathering, Li Yuee, vice-chairman of the Shanxi Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Committee, said that they supported the setting up of the Buddhist institute and that the institute?was significant and important for spreading Chinese Buddhism internationally and that?was a good way to help China's Belt and Road program through Buddhism.

Li Yuee (R), vice-chairman of Shanxi CPPCC committee, and Master Miao Jiang, vice-director of China's Buddhist Assoc., at opening ceremony of Mount Wutai International Buddhism Institute. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

The participants are also expected to discuss Wutai's historic position as a cradle of Chinese Buddhism and related culture and its spreading of the spirit of the Bodhisattva Manjusri.

Also addressing the meeting was Master Miao Jiang, vice-director of China's Buddhist Association, who spoke on behalf of Shanxi's religious devotees and said that the institute?would do everything it?could in researching Buddhism and for international exchanges and that hoped it?would bear fruit in that research.

Li concluded by saying that religious development needed to follow socialist guidelines, give religion a positive image, and improve the management of religious affairs.

Wutai is the holiest of China's four Buddhist mountains and is considered one of the five of the world's Buddhist holylands. It has preserved a great deal of classical Buddhist architecture, and is the perfect combination of Buddhist culture and natural landscape.

Prof Tian Hai (L), Oxford University, and Master Ru Rui (2nd, R), vice-head of China's Buddhist Assoc., in discussion at 2nd International Academic Seminar on Buddhism, on July 19. [Photo/ chinadaily.com.cn]