The 19 years old 11th Panchen Lama Erdeni gave a speech in English on March 28th,when he attended the Second World Buddhist Forum in wuxi,Jiangxu,China.
Here is his speech:
Speech at the Opening Ceremony of the SecondWorld Buddhist Forum
Panchen Erdeni Choskyi Rgyalpo
The noble truth be enlightened by the Buddha,
Dependent Origination be the supreme Dharma,
The paramount teachings brighten beings in the world ,
I pay my heartfelt homage to the holy Mahapurisa.
First, the white-lotus-like eulogy is offered to our greatest teacher Sakyamuni, Siddhattha Gautama Buddha.
Today, eminent Buddhist masters and learned scholars from all over the world propitiously gather here for the Second World Buddhist Forum. I feel greatly honored to attend this magnificent assembly once again.
Here, I'd like to extend the sincere gratitude to our central government for their kindly concern for and powerful patronage to the World Buddhist Forum.
This Forum is convened in my country -- China, which has a Buddhist cultural tradition going back two thousand years. This event fully demonstrates that today's China enjoys social harmony, stability and religious freedom. It also shows China is a nation that safeguards and promotes the world peace.
The theme of the second Forum, “A harmonious world, a synergy of conditions”, best conforms to the Buddhist creed and the mission of modern social progress.
The following are a few of my personal views on this theme:
The rapid development of “external material science and technology”, or material civilization of the present world brings about convenient facilities for people's lives on one hand, but on the other, it also causes, the environment degradation, growing disparity between the rich and the poor, financial crises, armed conflicts and wars, terrorist attacks and the like. The reason for all the adversity lies in people's mind -- many people are deluded regarding the causes of suffering and happiness, feel discontent, lack of compassion... Just as Master Tsong Khapa said,
All the declines in the world,
Are rooted into avidya.
Our Tathagata says: “As the karma one accumulates, so shall one achieve the effect.” Sutras tell us: Good is rewarded with good, evil with evil. We should now guide and encourage people with the law of causality to serve others with beneficial deeds. So many stories that we have seen and heard prove that, if one treats and helps the poor and miserable with compassion, one will receive good results; if one inhibits and injures others with selfish mind, one will surely reap evil fruits. Only if we carry forward the philanthropic moral spirit, will everyone be guided to do good, and not to harm others; can everyone bear love and mercy, benefit all sentient beings and protect the environment, so as to enable people to enjoy a harmonious and happy life. It is the glorious obligation for us Buddhists in the twenty-first century to develop the “inner-mind science”, to rectify and eliminate all kinds of social maladies through the help of Buddhist tenets.
In order to do so, we ourselves should first study many a Sutra, Vinaya and Abhidharma and set our mind on Buddha Dharma. Sāmanaras and Bhikkhasus especially should abide by the Vinaya commandments and regulations. Vinaya reads that, “If Vinaya exists, Buddha Dharma exists”. The eternal existence of Dharma relies on the observation of Vinaya disciplines by Buddhists. Therefore, we should lay a firm foundation of superior Vinaya law, learn and practice three studies, listen to and practice the teaching in tripitaka, so as to success, protect and propagate Buddha's teachings. Only in this way, can Buddha Dharma, the best cure to rescue beings from worries and sufferings, live on through time and space.
We should also uphold the two means of cultivation ---- teaching and attainment. Venerable Master Vasubhandu says,
There are two ways of Buddha Dharma,
Take teaching and attainment as forms,
Upholding teaching is to preach,
Upholding attainment is to practice.
In order that Buddha Dharma can live on and flourish, we should foster more outstanding talents. Different sects within Buddhism should respect each other and coexist in harmony. In addition, I propose that such forums be increasingly held to promote synergy of conditions and thus to realize a harmonious world.
Finally, I wholeheartedly pray that my Buddha will bless the world and the world will enjoy eternal peace. I wish you good health and a long life. May all of your good wishes come true.
May the best cure to eliminate afflictions,
Become the fountain of happiness for all,
Uphold the Buddha Dharma with piety,
May the holy teachings shine forever.
28 March, 2009
Here is his speech:
Speech at the Opening Ceremony of the SecondWorld Buddhist Forum
Panchen Erdeni Choskyi Rgyalpo
The noble truth be enlightened by the Buddha,
Dependent Origination be the supreme Dharma,
The paramount teachings brighten beings in the world ,
I pay my heartfelt homage to the holy Mahapurisa.
First, the white-lotus-like eulogy is offered to our greatest teacher Sakyamuni, Siddhattha Gautama Buddha.
Today, eminent Buddhist masters and learned scholars from all over the world propitiously gather here for the Second World Buddhist Forum. I feel greatly honored to attend this magnificent assembly once again.
Here, I'd like to extend the sincere gratitude to our central government for their kindly concern for and powerful patronage to the World Buddhist Forum.
This Forum is convened in my country -- China, which has a Buddhist cultural tradition going back two thousand years. This event fully demonstrates that today's China enjoys social harmony, stability and religious freedom. It also shows China is a nation that safeguards and promotes the world peace.
The theme of the second Forum, “A harmonious world, a synergy of conditions”, best conforms to the Buddhist creed and the mission of modern social progress.
The following are a few of my personal views on this theme:
The rapid development of “external material science and technology”, or material civilization of the present world brings about convenient facilities for people's lives on one hand, but on the other, it also causes, the environment degradation, growing disparity between the rich and the poor, financial crises, armed conflicts and wars, terrorist attacks and the like. The reason for all the adversity lies in people's mind -- many people are deluded regarding the causes of suffering and happiness, feel discontent, lack of compassion... Just as Master Tsong Khapa said,
All the declines in the world,
Are rooted into avidya.
Our Tathagata says: “As the karma one accumulates, so shall one achieve the effect.” Sutras tell us: Good is rewarded with good, evil with evil. We should now guide and encourage people with the law of causality to serve others with beneficial deeds. So many stories that we have seen and heard prove that, if one treats and helps the poor and miserable with compassion, one will receive good results; if one inhibits and injures others with selfish mind, one will surely reap evil fruits. Only if we carry forward the philanthropic moral spirit, will everyone be guided to do good, and not to harm others; can everyone bear love and mercy, benefit all sentient beings and protect the environment, so as to enable people to enjoy a harmonious and happy life. It is the glorious obligation for us Buddhists in the twenty-first century to develop the “inner-mind science”, to rectify and eliminate all kinds of social maladies through the help of Buddhist tenets.
In order to do so, we ourselves should first study many a Sutra, Vinaya and Abhidharma and set our mind on Buddha Dharma. Sāmanaras and Bhikkhasus especially should abide by the Vinaya commandments and regulations. Vinaya reads that, “If Vinaya exists, Buddha Dharma exists”. The eternal existence of Dharma relies on the observation of Vinaya disciplines by Buddhists. Therefore, we should lay a firm foundation of superior Vinaya law, learn and practice three studies, listen to and practice the teaching in tripitaka, so as to success, protect and propagate Buddha's teachings. Only in this way, can Buddha Dharma, the best cure to rescue beings from worries and sufferings, live on through time and space.
We should also uphold the two means of cultivation ---- teaching and attainment. Venerable Master Vasubhandu says,
There are two ways of Buddha Dharma,
Take teaching and attainment as forms,
Upholding teaching is to preach,
Upholding attainment is to practice.
In order that Buddha Dharma can live on and flourish, we should foster more outstanding talents. Different sects within Buddhism should respect each other and coexist in harmony. In addition, I propose that such forums be increasingly held to promote synergy of conditions and thus to realize a harmonious world.
Finally, I wholeheartedly pray that my Buddha will bless the world and the world will enjoy eternal peace. I wish you good health and a long life. May all of your good wishes come true.
May the best cure to eliminate afflictions,
Become the fountain of happiness for all,
Uphold the Buddha Dharma with piety,
May the holy teachings shine forever.
28 March, 2009