From 15th to 17th October 2024, the Sixth World Buddhist Forum was held in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China. This significant conference brought together nearly 1,000 Buddhist practitioners, scholars and representatives from 72 countries and regions. Organised by the Chinese Buddhist Association and the Chinese Religious Culture Communication Association, the forum was themed Hand in Hand for Harmonious Coexistence. It emphasised the spirit of unity and mutual understanding within the global Buddhist community, aiming to promote a shared future for humanity through Buddhist wisdom.
Abbess Manshin of FGS NZ represented the New Zealand Buddhist community at the conference. On 17th October, Abbess presented a thesis paper titled The Localisation of Humanistic Buddhism in New Zealand during the sub-forum Transcendence and Engagement: Thoughts and Practices in Humanistic Buddhism. Drawing from over two decades of Fo Guang Shan’s efforts in both Auckland and Christchurch, Abbess Manshin discussed how sharing the values of the Three Acts of Goodness and Four Givings (3G4G), as taught by the Founder of the FGS Buddhist Order, Venerable Master Hsing Yun, has been woven into the unique historical and cultural fabric of New Zealand.
Abbess Manshin outlined four major initiatives illustrating the services and projects carried out in New Zealand:1 The annual 3G4G Festival of Cultural Sharing, an educational program inspiring students to Do Good Deeds, Say Good Words and Think Good Thoughts. 2 The Art Salon, which provides a platform for local artists, fostering a community imbued with beauty and goodness. 3 The Tree-Planting VegRun Event, which encourages environmental preservation and resource conservation across New Zealand. 4 The distribution of rapid test kits to schools during the pandemic, sharing care and compassion within the community. Through these practical applications, Abbess emphasised the relevance and inclusiveness of Humanistic Buddhism, which resonates with local cultural norms and meets community needs in New Zealand.
Abbess noted that the teachings of the Founding Master—centred on the 3G4G as pillars of practice. Through kindness, compassion, patience, diligence, humility and repentance, individuals can transcend the self, creating a path towards inner harmony, family peace, respectful communities, societal cohesion and ultimately, world peace.
The three-day forum delved into Buddhism’s core teachings on inclusiveness, lineage transmission, scriptural compilation, social responsibility, cultural arts, insights of Humanistic Buddhism, the Middle Way and wisdom for peace. The forum concluded by emphasising the importance of Buddhist wisdom in shaping a more harmonious future for all.