Buddhism
will enhance Sino-Indian friendship: Chinese religious head
Anil
K Joseph in Beijing | PTI | February 08, 2007 | 10:35 IST
Buddhism, which spread from India to China 2,000 years ago, will
play a new role in cementing Sino-Indian friendship and enhancing
cultural contacts, China 's top religious official has said.
"We
believe that Buddhism played an important role in the process
of communication between the two countries. Such a role is continuing
to function, and will function well in the future," Director
of the State Administration for Religious Affairs Ye Xiaowen told
PTI in Beijing, ahead of his visit to India.
Ye
is heading a high-level Chinese delegation of over 100 Buddhist
monks and senior officials, who will take part in the formal inauguration
of the Xuanzang Memorial Hall in Nalanda on February 12. The Chinese
government has undertaken the restoration work of the memorial
hall.
Ye's
administration oversees Buddhism, Taoism, Christianity and Islam
in the atheist country, which only allows state-sanctioned religious
institutions.
On
the significance of religion and culture in communication between
China and India, Ye pointed out that the Joint Declaration issued
by the two governments in New Delhi on November 21, 2006, during
Chinese President Hu Jintao's state visit, has clearly stated
it.
"The
centuries-old cultural contacts between the two peoples provide
a strong foundation for enduring friendship between India and
China. The initiatives to rediscover these historical linkages
and revitalise them in the present day context, including through
an early completion of the Xuanzang Memorial in Nalanda and the
Indian-style Buddhist Shrine in Luoyang, will further strengthen
these bonds," he said.
"The
two sides agree to strengthen cooperation in the area of spiritual
and civilisational heritage, discuss collaboration in the digitisation
of Buddhist manuscripts available in China as well as the re-development
of Nalanda as a major centre of learning with the establishment
of an international university on the basis of regional cooperation,"
Ye quoted the Joint Declaration as saying.
He
noted that Buddhism has been the most important vehicle of?cultural
communication between China and India and the people of the two
countries since it was brought to China from India 2,000 years
ago.
Especially
the pilgrimage by Xuanzang to India has become a "beautiful
story" in the history of China and India communication. It
is widespread among the people in the two countries, therefore
has very significant historical meanings for both countries, he
said.
Xuanzang
started his journey to India in 627 AD and stayed in the country
for 13 years, including five years of study in Nalanda. He returned
with lots of Buddhist sutras and translated them into Chinese,
which laid the foundations for Buddhism in China.
Most
Chinese people are familiar with the pilgrimage of Xuanzang to
India more than 1,300 years ago.
The
trials and tribulations he experienced on his way to ancient India
for Buddhist enlightenment were depicted in the popular classical
work of fiction Journey to the West, also known as the 'Monkey
King'.
Talking
about the restoration of Xuanzang Memorial Hall, Ye said the work
was completed in December 2006 by Chinese engineers and workers.
"The
restoration of the memorial hall is the fruit of China and India's
joint effort. It reflects the painstaking effort of the leaders
and people of the two countries, as well as the strong faith to
develop the relationship between the two countries," Ye said.
The
restored Xuanzang Memorial Hall will surely serve as a platform
better to promote the friendly communication of the religion and
culture between the two countries and as a window to show the
friendship between China and India, he said.
The
concerned departments of the two governments, together with hundreds
of people from the religious circles, will attend the completion
ceremony of Xuanzang Memorial Hall, as well as the opening ceremony
of 'Year of China-India Tourism Friendship' in 2007 in Nalanda
on February 12.
Chinese
Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, who will be on an official visit
from February 11, will also attend both functions, ministry spokesperson,
Jiang Yu said in Beijing.
http://www.rediff.com/news/2007/feb/08china.htm