Panchen Lama, businessmen weigh Buddhism´s impact on business

Source: Xinhua | 03-30-2009 09:11

WUXI, Jiangsu, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Singing, listening and taking notes, the 11th Panchen Lama, Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu, attended a forum Sunday here with businessmen and monks, where they discussed Buddhist philosophies related to business.

At the beginning of the sub-forum at the second World Buddhist Forum, the 19-year-old Tibetan Buddhism leader joined other attendees in singing a Buddhist song that urges people to enjoy the simple beauty of nature and stop worrying unnecessarily.

More than 1,700 Buddhist monks and scholars from about 50 countries and regions attended the ongoing forum, which has the theme of "A harmonious world, a synergy of condition." They discussed how to better preserve Buddhist music and the Tripitaka, considered the encyclopedia of Buddhist culture, and talked about the relationship between Buddhism and science, public welfare, environmental protection and business in eight sub-forums.

"It was beyond our expectations that he would choose to attend this one among all eight sub-forums," said Buddhist master Zhan Ru, who is also deputy director of Peking University's Institute of Orientology. "It was a great encouragement for all present. Everyone was happy and honored.

"Compared with other sub-forums, many attendees here are businessmen. Maybe the Living Buddha thought they would have more troubles and problems than other people and was willing to give his blessing to them," Zhan Ru said.