China Buddhist Culture: 4th international Buddhist conference opens in Mount Wutai

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02:27

The fourth International Buddhist Conference is taking place in north China's Mount Wutai, the most famous destination in the country for pilgrims. More than a hundred experts and young scholars from around the world are there for the event. Our reporter Hu Chao takes a look.

A gathering for Buddhism experts and scholars. The fourth International Buddhist Conference in northern China's Shanxi Province. The theme of this year's event focuses on identity and networks in Buddhism and East Asian religions.

HU CHAO MOUNT WUTAI, SHANXI PROVINCE "Mount Wutai rises above the Loess Plateau. Its highest peak is over 3,000 meters above sea level. Its cooler climate here makes it a great place to escape the summer heat, and many Buddhist culture lovers visit around this time every year."

Mount Wutai is the most famous Buddhist destination in China. In the summer, it's popular among young people who wish to learn how to meditate. Monk Kuan Guang has been devoted to the promotion of Buddhist cultural exchanges between China and Britain for over a decade. More young people in China these days practice meditation. Kuan Guang says it's a good way to find peace of mind.

KUAN GUANG LECTURER AT KING'S COLLEGE LONDON DEPUTY DIRECTOR, WUTAI INT'L INST. OF BUDDHISM & EAST ASIAN CULTURES "To practice meditation doesn't mean you need to convert to Buddhism. It's a way to find a balanced mind. This is not only beneficial to some individuals but also it's quite beneficial to the whole society."

Another growing trend in China is the emergence of so-called Buddha-style youths. They claim to care about little, and to have no desire to win or achieve anything. Kuan says they misunderstand Buddhism.

KUAN GUANG LECTURER AT KING'S COLLEGE LONDON DEPUTY DIRECTOR, WUTAI INT'L INST. OF BUDDHISM & EAST ASIAN CULTURES "There's a common concept that Buddhism is very withdrawn and anti-social. In fact, this is the wrong understanding of Buddhism. I think so-called Buddhist youth is nothing to do with Buddhism. Being a Buddhist is all about work hard and discipline."

The conference will last for three days. After the event, a week-long forum for young Buddhist scholars will start from Friday. Hu Chao, CGTN, Mount Wutai, Shanxi Province.