The fifth edition of the World Buddhist Forum has opened in East China's Fujian Province. Organizers say this year's event will serve as a platform for Buddhists to communicate their wisdom to the world and help build a collective future for humanity with a shared destiny. CGTN's Omar Khan has this report, from the forum.

A holy and spiritual gathering here in the eastern Chinese city of Putian.

The Fifth World Buddhist Forum, now open, with hundreds of delegates in attendance for the two-day event.

Buddhist monks and scholars from all corners of the world are set to discuss how their faith could help deal with global issues.

VEN. DR. TAMPALAWELA DHAMMARATANA DIRECTOR GENERAL, LINH SON BUDDHIST ACADEMY "Crisis of the economy, crisis of the politics, crisis of the peace, crisis of the living, I think Buddhist people all over the world come here to find out what Buddhists can do to preserve and serve the humanity."

The first forum was held back in 2006 and marked the first major global religious gathering in China since the People's Republic's founding.

One visiting monk from Sri Lanka, sees this year's event as a platform for China, to not only move ahead with its vision for a community with a shared future for mankind but to support global Buddhism.

VEN. DR. KALLANCHIYE RATHANASIRI THERO CHIEF INCUMBENT, ABHAYAGIRI TEMPLE "Chinese have a good power. And they spread Buddhism everywhere, and all of the Chinese monks, and especially the Chinese government, help so much to develop Buddhism, so I think this is the most important thing."

The belief system's connection with various aspects of world affairs will be discussed at the event's 10 subforums.

Those include Buddhism and the Maritime Silk Road and how the religion can help promote environmental protection.

OMAR KHAN PUTIAN CITY, FUJIAN PROVINCE "Over the next two days, attendees from around the world, are going to deliberate on how to better communicate Buddhism, on a global scale – that'll be a more external and outward discussion. But at the same time, collaboration within and between various branches of Buddhism will also be a main focus at the Forum. Omar Khan, CGTN at the 5th World Buddhist Forum in Putian city."