The 2016 South China Sea Buddhism Shenzhen Roundtable Conference and commemoration of the 110 birthday of Master Benhuan was held in Shenzhen on October 21.

The roundtable conference was organized by the Benhuan Institute, the Asian Community Alliance Promotion Group, and the South China Sea Cultural Research Institute.

Buddhist leaders from Cambodia, Thailand, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Laos attended the conference to discuss Buddhism issues, hope for a good future in the South China Sea region, and to sign the “South China Sea Buddhism Shenzhen Declaration”.

Jiang Jianyong, deputy director of the State Administration of Religions Affairs, attended the meeting and gave a speech. He said that Master Benhuan, who lived his life for the state, for Buddhism, and for the lives of all beings, was the epitome of centuries-old Chinese Buddhism.

Actively constructing of Buddhist ideals of the South China Sea will contribute wisdom and strength to the building of a community of Asian destiny and community of human destiny, as well as the harmony, stability, prosperity and development of Asia and the world.

The State Administration of Religions Affairs will as always support exchange and cooperation between the Chinese Buddhist circle and the Buddhist circles of Southeast Asia and South Asia.

The conference passed the “South China Sea Buddhism Shenzhen Declaration”, and announced five consensuses: Common Rituals, Seeking Common Ground While Reserving Differences; Protecting the South China Sea Together, Sharing Joys and Sorrows; Mutual Monk Exchange, Mutual Translation of Religious Texts; Universal Charity, Complementary Resources; and Permanent Forum, Interconnection and Intercommunication.

Representatives from the Buddhist circle and guests from all walks of life expressed the hope that Buddhism in the South China Sea region should play a role in promoting mutual assistance and sharing joys and sorrows, bringing benefit to all people and using wisdom to solve disputes.