In order to further promote the academic exchanges and friendly relations between the Postgraduate Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences (PGIHS) of the University of Peradeniya in Sri Lanka and the Buddhist College of Minnan (BCM) in Xiamen, China, Prof. J. M. Ananda Jayawickrama (Director of PGIHS of Peradeniya University in Sri Lanka), Professor Prof .O. G. Dayaratna-Banda (Dean of Faculty of Arts of Peradeniya University) and Ven. Dr. M. Sobitha (The Senior Lecturer of the Department of History of Peradeniya University), a delegation was invited to the Buddhist College of Minnan for a two-day visit from May 12th to May 13th, 2018.
During the exchange, the Most Ven. Ze Wu (Rector of the BCM), Ven. Jie Xiang (Executive Vice-Rector of BCM), Ven. Fa Yuan (Vice-rector of BCM), Ven. Jing Xin (Vice-Rector of BCM and Director of the Office of Student Affairs)，Ven. Jie Song (The director of the Administrative Office), Ven. Jing An (Director of Teaching Affairs), Ven. Wu Yuan (The Vice-director of the Administrative Office), Ven. Zhao Yuan (Vice-director of Teaching Affairs), Ven. Ming Kun (Vice-director of Teaching Affairs), Ven. Chao Bo (the Vice-director of the Office of Student Affairs), Ven. Zu Guang (Vice-director of International Division), ect., warmly welcomed the delegation and accompanied the guests to visit the Nanputuo Temple, the Buddhist College of Minnan, Zizhulin Nunnery, etc. Within these two days, two educational institutions had discussed on the similarities and the differences between Theravāda Buddhism and Chinese Buddhism, and future co-operation and international academic exchanges between Peradeniya University and BCM.
The Most Ven. Ze Wu welcomed the delegation of Peradeniya University. The Master recalled that in 2017, the “Re-walking the Maritime Silk Road” of the fifteenth undergraduate graduating class of the BCM visited Peradeniya University of Sri Lanka and established the Sri Lankan Branch of the Buddhist College of Minnan’s Alumni Association. The Master said: “The essence of Buddhism is cultivation of talented monks. The cultivation of talented monks is the lifeblood and foundation of the entire development of Buddhism. Chinese Buddhism and Theravāda Buddhism should engage in mutual learning, integrating, and developing. In this way, it is able to assist the society and make a proper contribution for the world peace, and development of Buddhism.”
The visiting delegation expressed their warm thanks for the hospitality of BCM. Furthermore, the representative expressed: “Now religion is also global. No matter which country, we are a family of Buddhism. In future, we can have more exchanges and discussions through “One Belt and One Road” to establish a link of Buddhism in order to communicate in different perspectives of Theravāda Buddhism and Mahāyāna Buddhism for a better mutual understanding and promoting.”
After two days of exchanges and discussions between the visiting delegation of PGIHS and the Venerables of BCM, both parties have known more about the historical origins of Buddhism in both countries. In the context of “One Belt and One Road” Initiative, it not only promotes exchanges between countries but also promotes exchanges between Buddhism. It is believed that in the future, there will be deeper exchanges and happy cooperation between the two institutions, and will cultivate many talented Buddhist monks. Efforts are made to make a useful contribution to society.
Sri Lanka is an important country along One Belt and One Road. The University of Peradeniya is the largest comprehensive public university in their country. It was founded in 1942, and it is located in the ancient city of Kandy which is listed in the World Cultural Heritage Catalogue. It has 73 departments including Buddhist Studies and Pāli Studies. It is a well-known university in Sri Lanka. There are monks and nuns from China and other countries studying in this university.
Watching the documentary of BCM
The Most Ven. Ze Wu delivered a speech
The visiting delegation of the University of Peradeniya of Sri Lanka
Both sides conducted in-depth exchanges
Giving gifts
Leaders of the BCM took a group photograph with the visiting delegation
Visiting the Nanputuo Temple
The Visiting delegation went to Zizhulin Nunnery to have a discussion with the Venerables of Division of Nuns of BCM.
The Venerables accompanied delegation to visit the Zizhulin Nunnery
Visiting the library
The venerables of nuns and the delegation took a group photograph
The Visiting delegation discussed with the students of the International Division of BCM.
The guests of visiting delegation took a group photographs with students of the International Division of BCM