Exclusive interview with Venerable Master Xuecheng: Buddhists need to advance with the times

Reporter: Han Bin 丨 CCTV

【CCTV-News】Exclusive interview with Venerable Master Xuecheng(Video)

The theme of this year's World Buddhist Forum is 'Exchange with Common Aspiration'. For two days, participants will discuss Buddhism's positive roles in resolving problems for human and social development. CCTV reporter has an exclusive interview with Venerable Master Xuecheng, President of the Buddhist Association of China.

Why is this year's theme “Exchange with Common Aspiration”?

Venerable Master Xuecheng said:"The forefathers say that if there is learning without exchange of ideas, knowledge will lead to narrow and short-sighted experiences. Whatever our school of belief or nationality, we need to exchange with trust, learn from others' strong points, and seek win-win development through cooperation."

"Buddhism has a history of over 2,000 years. It’s very significant that Buddhist groups from different occupations, various ethnicities and schools of Buddhism, as well as countries and regions, come to share with each other."

"Buddhism stresses thinking big with great motivation to act. We have the determination; the key is to implement and achieve."

How can Buddhism help promote China's world influence?

"Buddhism advocates peace and harmony. In today’s world, monks should not only study Buddhist teachings and classics. They should also have a firm grasp of modern cultural means and tools, so that the positive energy of Buddhism can be effectively and quickly spread to a wider range."

Facing the growing popularity of other religions like Christianity and Islam, how can Buddhism maintain its own vitality?

"Monks should not do as they did in the past, only practicing self-cultivation. Living at a time when all other religions and civilizations are actively developing, Buddhists should have a sense of urgency, be ready to deal with the impacts and challenges put forth by modern civilization. Against the backdrop of new media, Buddhists need to think big, to promote Buddhism and help others, as a key part of practicing their faith. The strong vitality of Buddhism relies on its teachings and philosophies, whose eternal value will survive time and space."

学诚法师独家专访：佛教徒应与时俱进

记者：韩斌  丨CCTV

【CCTV-News】学诚法师独家专访(视频)

本届世界佛教论坛的主题是“同愿同行，交流互鉴”。论坛为期两天，与会者将围绕佛教在解决人类与社会发展问题中的积极作用展开讨论。中国佛教协会会长学诚法师将接受中央电视台（CCTV）的独家专访。

记者：这一次的主题为什么是“同心同愿，交流互鉴”？

学诚法师：古人说，不学则无友，孤陋则寡闻。无论是哪个教派，哪个宗教，哪一种的文明，都需要交流互鉴，取长补短，合作共赢，共同发展。

佛教流传两千多年来，在这个时候，我们同各个行业，各个不同的宗教，不同的民族，不同的国家和地区的佛教徒团体之间的交流互鉴，显得非常有意义。

佛教里面讲，要发大愿，同时我们要有大的行动力，我们有了美好的愿望，关键要去落实，去实践。

记者：佛教怎么帮助中国提升世界影响力？

学诚法师：佛教主张和平，主张中道，现代这个时候，除了出家人学好自己的教理教义，佛教的经典以外，还需要掌握好现代的弘法的手段和工具，让佛教的这些好的正能量能够有效、快速地传播到更广的范围。

记者：面对日益增长的其他宗教的信徒，像基督教和伊斯兰教，佛教如何保持它的生命力？

学诚法师：我们出家人，不应该像过去那样子，就是仅仅是以修行解脱为主，那么现在其他的宗教，其他的文明都非常活跃的时候呢，我们佛教徒要有这样子深切的忧患的意识，同时呢，大家要做好应对我们现代文明对我们的影响，乃至对我们的挑战。在新的一个时代背景之下，佛教徒需要发大愿，把弘扬佛法，普度众生作为践行自己信仰非常重要的组成部分。

佛教如此强大的生命力的原因，也就是它的教理教义永远不会过时，它的教理教义无论在哪个区域，无论在什么时候，都有着它的永恒的价值。

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