The plenary session was held within the framework of the II International Buddhist Forum to discuss the main issue: how traditional Buddhism helps society meet modern challenges. The participants of the meeting considered Buddhism in synthesis with modern science and politics, and also touched upon the issues of modern Buddhist education.
The meeting was moderated by Evgeniy Minchenko, Director of the Center for Political Elite Studies, MGIMO Institute of International Studies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, President of the Russian Association for Public Relations.
- Today, Buddhist countries are developing in their own way, preserving traditional values. Seeing what is happening in Western countries, Buddhists demonstrate their commitment to traditional values. The teaching of Buddhism develops a state with stable and progressive society, with peace in people's hearts, with friendliness among peoples. Buryatia, being a part of Russia, has given an opportunity to countries, professing Buddhism, to communicate with each other, share experiences and opinions, and move forward in such a complex, changing world together", said the Head of Buryatia Alexey Tsydenov.
Touching upon the issue of the current political state of the world, Yevgeny Minchenko stressed that "Buddhism teaches us to purify consciousness, whereas world politics is polluted by negative emotions."
Chinese Consul General in Irkutsk Li Hai noted that the forum contributes to the development of mankind.
- Buddhists who revere peace call for enlightenment and encourage people's good deeds. It has been improving public morals, contributing to social development and progress for more than 2,500 years of its history. The topic of the forum reflects the good wishes and real concern about the joint solution of global problems in our society. We hope that Buddhists from different countries will use this forum as an opportunity to achieve mutual understanding, jointly promote the outstanding values and concepts of Buddhism, build a community together and make a great contribution to the global development of mankind," he said.
During the panel discussions, as well as during the plenary session, the speakers mentioned the question of uniting modern science and Buddhist tradition several times.
- Nowadays, many people are involved in some kind of competition for the sake of economic issues or for the sake of fame. This happens because many people pay more attention to the external manifestation, and less attention is paid to the inner, spiritual state. These difficulties can be solved with the help of Buddhist teaching. Modern science and Buddhism are connected in many ways. Our Buddhist views and postulates are not in contradiction with modern science. Buddha Shakyamuni said that one should not trust his words completely, you need to study and analyze them, and only after finding out that they can be applied to reality and logic, you can practice them, but not only because Buddha is an authority," said Venerable Geshe Lobsan Zhalsan from India.
Dymbryl bagsha, the rector of D.D. Zayaev Dashi Choinkhorlin Buddhist University, drew his attention to the main points of receiving Buddhist education. Based on canonical texts, it is possible to comprehend the basics of the Buddha's teaching. For those who want to learn the basics of Buddhism in more detail, the Rector advised to choose literature based on common sense and intelligence.
- In my opinion, Buddhism prevents a person from doing harmful things, allows you to accumulate good deeds and discipline your mind. This is the Buddha's teaching. Buddhism is aiming at doing good deeds and staying calm. In teaching, we place more emphasis on theoretical learning. As the world is changing, we may not always be able to understand the postulates that were said many centuries ago.But we have comments from lamas who have traveled a long way themselves," said Dymbryl bagsha.
The meeting was moderated by Evgeniy Minchenko, Director of the Center for Political Elite Studies, MGIMO Institute of International Studies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, President of the Russian Association for Public Relations.
- Today, Buddhist countries are developing in their own way, preserving traditional values. Seeing what is happening in Western countries, Buddhists demonstrate their commitment to traditional values. The teaching of Buddhism develops a state with stable and progressive society, with peace in people's hearts, with friendliness among peoples. Buryatia, being a part of Russia, has given an opportunity to countries, professing Buddhism, to communicate with each other, share experiences and opinions, and move forward in such a complex, changing world together", said the Head of Buryatia Alexey Tsydenov.
Touching upon the issue of the current political state of the world, Yevgeny Minchenko stressed that "Buddhism teaches us to purify consciousness, whereas world politics is polluted by negative emotions."
Chinese Consul General in Irkutsk Li Hai noted that the forum contributes to the development of mankind.
- Buddhists who revere peace call for enlightenment and encourage people's good deeds. It has been improving public morals, contributing to social development and progress for more than 2,500 years of its history. The topic of the forum reflects the good wishes and real concern about the joint solution of global problems in our society. We hope that Buddhists from different countries will use this forum as an opportunity to achieve mutual understanding, jointly promote the outstanding values and concepts of Buddhism, build a community together and make a great contribution to the global development of mankind," he said.
During the panel discussions, as well as during the plenary session, the speakers mentioned the question of uniting modern science and Buddhist tradition several times.
- Nowadays, many people are involved in some kind of competition for the sake of economic issues or for the sake of fame. This happens because many people pay more attention to the external manifestation, and less attention is paid to the inner, spiritual state. These difficulties can be solved with the help of Buddhist teaching. Modern science and Buddhism are connected in many ways. Our Buddhist views and postulates are not in contradiction with modern science. Buddha Shakyamuni said that one should not trust his words completely, you need to study and analyze them, and only after finding out that they can be applied to reality and logic, you can practice them, but not only because Buddha is an authority," said Venerable Geshe Lobsan Zhalsan from India.
Dymbryl bagsha, the rector of D.D. Zayaev Dashi Choinkhorlin Buddhist University, drew his attention to the main points of receiving Buddhist education. Based on canonical texts, it is possible to comprehend the basics of the Buddha's teaching. For those who want to learn the basics of Buddhism in more detail, the Rector advised to choose literature based on common sense and intelligence.
- In my opinion, Buddhism prevents a person from doing harmful things, allows you to accumulate good deeds and discipline your mind. This is the Buddha's teaching. Buddhism is aiming at doing good deeds and staying calm. In teaching, we place more emphasis on theoretical learning. As the world is changing, we may not always be able to understand the postulates that were said many centuries ago.But we have comments from lamas who have traveled a long way themselves," said Dymbryl bagsha.
