Buddhist followers should embrace the Internet and spread the religion's philosophy online.

Venerable Master Zong xing, vice-president of the Buddhist Association of China, called on Friday for a greater awareness when using technology.

His comments came as more than 1,000 representatives from 52 countries converged in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, for the Forth World Buddhist Forum at Lingshan Mountain.

The forum, which starts on Saturday, will focus on the use of the Internet and new media to spread Buddhist teachings.

"From the ancient Buddhist teachings we can learn that Buddhism has the wisdom to employ the latest technology to spread its teaching and spirits," Master Zongxing said.

"Buddhism can also spread positive energy on the Internet and help people resist harmful information." Venerable Master Xucheng, president of the Buddhist Association of China, is one of the country's first Buddhist masters to write a blog and a microblog account.

He has more than 325,600 followers on Sina Weibo, and his online thoughts are available in 11 languages.

About 1,800 Buddhist masters, practitioners and scholars will attend the forum.

Among the representatives are Abbot Hsing Yun, one of Taiwan's most influential monks, and the 11th Panchen Lama Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu, a senior living Buddha in Tibetan Buddhism.

The forum will provide a good opportunity for exchanging ideas between the mainland and Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao, said Jiang Jianyong, deputy director of the China Religious Culture Communication Association.

"It will also fully display the charm of traditional Chinese culture and unite Buddhists all over the world in a common purpose," he said.

The World Buddhism Forum was previously held on the Chinese mainland in 2006 and 2009, and in Hong Kong in 2012.

                                                                                                                                   Editor: Lily Li