Author: Nanren Shi,

Chairman of The International Buddhist Federation

The Buddhist Forum is organized by Buddhist organizations from three countries: China, Canada and America, will be held in the Toronto University. It will be the milestone in world Buddhist history, and will be a breakthrough event for Chinese Mahayana teaching and Chinese traditional culture to participate their roles in Northern America. A powerful country and nation must have same international influence through its culture.

Buddhism has been in China for more than 2500 years. It's a very important component of Chinese culture. Introducing the precious Chinese traditional culture---Chinese Mahayana Buddhism to Northern America, and even the world, is a realistic step to fulfill the strategy of " The Belt and Road" and "Chinese Dream", are initiated by Chinese leaders。 The success of three-country "Buddhist Forum" will play an important role in further promoting both Chinese and Buddhist civilizations in Northern America. It also will present Buddhism on the world historical stage in a more positive and vigorous way.

The theme of the 1st " Buddhist Forum of China, Canada and America " is " Sustainable Peace in The Perfect Middle Way". This innovative theme was given by the chairman of Chinese Buddhist Association, Venerable Xuecheng Shi. My understanding for this theme has three parts.

It emphasizes the importance of tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
It emphasizes the Buddhist view of perfect middle way which see the world as one with the efforts of everyone. A peaceful world starts from me.
Sustainable peace is the long-term goal of the three country Buddhist forum, and also the wish of all world.