On November 8th,
2017, the Anunayaka of the Malwatta Chapter Most Ven. Niyangoda Vijithasiri
Thero, the Anunayaka of the Asgiriya Chapter Ven. Vendaruwe Upali Thero, and
Deputy Prelate & General Secretary of Supreme Saṅgha Council of Kotte Chapter Ven. Prof. Kotapitiye Rahula led a delegation with 14 people to visit the
Nanputuo Temple and the Buddhist College of Minnan. As the Nanptuo Temple was
their first place to visit in China, Most Ven. Ze Wu (the Rector of the BCM
& Abbot of the Nanputuo Temple) with Ven. Hui Ran (the Chief Monk of the
Nanputuo Temple), Ven. Fa Zun (the Hall Lord of the Nanputuo Temple), Ven. Wu
Yun (the Associate Temple Manager and Guest Prefect of the Nanputuo Temple),
Ven. Liao Rui (the Secretary of the Nanputuo Temple) and Ven. Zu Guang (the
Vice-director of the International Department of BCM) arranged an exchange conversazione to warmly
welcome them. The Director Huang Jiaoling from the Bureau of Civil Affairs of
Xiamen was invited to the conversazione.
The
delegation arrived at the Nanputuo Temple at 10:00 a.m. Accompanied by Ven. Hui
Ran, three Anunakayas and the delegation first visited the Mahāvira Hall to
worship the Buddha with lightened incense sticks. Two rows of monks from the
Temple were chanting Buddhist mantras to greet the delegation. To express
gratitude to the Temple for giving warmth and a grand reception, three
Anunayakas and delegation recited the Mahāmaṅgala
Sutta in Pāli to bless the prosperity of China and happiness of people.
In
the following conversazione, Most Ven. Ze Wu said: “China and Sri Lanka have a
deep connection related to Buddhism, especially for Buddhist exchange in recent
years. I hope that we will continue to enhance our collaboration in the future
and to play a more important role in Buddhist education and cultivation of
talents.” The Anunayaka of the Malwatta Chapter, Most Ven. Niyangoda
Vijithasiri Thero firstly appreciated the warm hospitality received from the
Nanputuo Temple and said: “there were close contact and profound friendship
between Chinese and Sri Lankan Buddhist circles in ancient times. Ven. Master
Fa Xian came to Sri Lanka to study Buddhist scriptures more than one thousand
years ago, which initiated the extraordinary Buddhist relationship between our
two countries. Since then, the Buddhist circles from two nations hold exchanges
continuously and became an important bond for the friendship between the
two countries. Since the 60 years after the establishment of diplomatic
relations between China and Sri Lanka, China has been supporting Sri Lanka in
various ways and the Buddhist exchange of two countries has been reached
unprecedented extent. I hope that the Buddhist circles of two nations can carry
forward our Buddhist cause and forge ahead into the future as well as enhance
our cooperation.”
On 13:00 p.m., accompanied by Ven. Fa
Zun, Ven. Wu Yun, Ven. Liao Rui and Ven. Zu Guang, the delegation visited the
BCM Branch for Nuns (Zizhulin Temple Campus). Ven. Fa Yuan (the Vice Rector of
BCM), Ven. Wu Yuan (the Deputy Dean of Administrative Office), Ven. Chao Bo
(the Deputy Dean of Discipline Office) and the delegation have discussed about
the Theravāda and Mahāyāna traditions in detail in relation to their teachings, doctrines, systems, education, and Buddhist friendly exchange between China and
Sri Lanka.
In recent years, the Nanputuo Temple
and BCM continuously strengthen exchanges and cooperation on Buddhist
development and Saṅgha education with the Buddhism prevailing in Sri Lanka.
Ven. Sumanasiri Thero, the president of the Buddhist and Pali University of Sri
Lanka, and Ven. Hai Hui came to the Nanputuo Temple and BCM to hold exchange
conversaziones in April 2016. In May 2017, in order to better respond to
China’s One Belt and One Road Initiative, strengthen foreign exchange, promote the relationship between
Buddhist circles of China and Sri Lanka, and develop the education between
Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism, with the approval given by the Buddhist Association of China,
Ven. Master Ze Wu led a “Re-walking on the Maritime Silk Road” delegation with
138 people, which was made up of both the Buddhist Association of Xiamen and
graduates of BCM 15th batch who visited Sri Lanka. The BCM has signed Education
Cooperation Memorandum with the University of Peradeniya, also established an
Alumni association in Sri Lanka.
1. Warmly welcome the Buddhists in the
delegation of Sri Lanka
2. Worshipping the statue of the Buddha
3. Panel discussion
4. Visit the branch campus for student
nuns of BCM
