Speech at the Second China-Southeast Asia High-Level People-to-People Dialogue by Xuecheng, Secretary-General of CCRP and President of the Buddhist Association of China (2015)
Inter-religious Exchanges and Maritime Silk Road
Honorable host, distinguished guests:
I am greatly honored to have been invited by the China NGO Network for International Exchanges, as a representative of the Chinese religious community, to attend the second China-Southeast Asia High-level People-to-people Dialogue on beautiful Pali Island in early summer. This is a great opportunity for us to share views on how to promote non-governmental exchanges for the construction of the Maritime Silk Road (MSR).
Brotherly relations between China and Southeast Asian countries and ethnic groups have lasted over two millennia. During these centuries, China has always adhered to the principle of friendly exchanges between itself and other countries in Asia and in Europe. This arrangement has been a particular feature of relations between China and Southeast Asian countries, and has produced a magnificent legacy in the history of mankind’s friendly interactions..
Historical records of these exchanges date back to China’s Western Han dynasty (approximately two centuries BCE). At that time, the emperor dispatched officials and merchants on voyages bound for India via Southeast Asian countries. With the development of shipbuilding and navigational capabilities by the Eastern Jin and Southern dynasties (317-589 CE), extensive economic and cultural activities between China and Southeast Asian countries thrived through the MSR. Southeast Asia thus provided one of the pathways for Buddhism to enter China.
For example, in the Eastern Jin dynasty, Master Faxian traveled from Xi’an to India in pursuit of Buddhism. He returned to China by taking a merchant ship in Sri Lanka and travelling through Sumatra. Another case in point is Tripitaka Dharma Master Paramartha, who came to Nanjing in the middle of the 6th century with a large amount of Sanskrit Buddhist Scriptures and made great contributions to the cause of Buddhist Scripture translation and Dharma dissemination.
Later, the Sui and Tang dynasties (581-907 CE), using the smooth, unobstructed maritime pathway, increased ties between China and Southeast Asian countries. In this time period, the renowned “Guangzhou Maritime Pathway” took shape. It extended from Guangzhou, through Southeast Asia all the way to the east shore of Africa.
The maritime road and its resulting trade and economic prosperity gave rise to cultural exchanges. Culture thus became one of the most important ties between China and these nations. Zheng He’s seven voyages during the Ming dynasty (1405-1433 CE) stand out as a splendid example of the friendly exchanges between China and Southeast and South Asia.
“Building the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road” is a strategic proposal first advocated by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the ASEAN gathering in October 2013. This plan provides direction for strengthening cooperation between China and ASEAN and for establishing a closer “community of shared destiny.”
Implementing this strategic conception will do more than benefit the people of China and Southeast Asia. MSR will also serve as a model for harmonious co-existence among other culturally diverse nations and ethnic groups. Indeed, the history of friendly exchanges between China and Southeast Asian nations has forged an invisible link that has brought them closer together.
With the advances of globalization and modernization, mankind has increasingly become a community of shared destiny. We all are interlinked and interdependent. In such a community, all countries desire the blessings of peace, development, cooperation and win-win conflict resolution. Achieving these outcomes depends on mutual accommodation and cultural exchanges between civilizations.
Unobstructed exchanges and peaceful interactions between religions are keys to achieving harmonious co-existence among different peoples. In the history of the contact and sharing among different civilizations, religious exchanges are like still water which runs deep. Over time, its current imperceptibly influences the way people from different backgrounds see political, economic, social and other matters.
Religion is one of the core elements of civilization. History reveals that religions can either sow the seeds of wars and afflictions or become the bridge for harmony and development.
Mr. Kofi Atta Annan, former Secretary-General of the UN, observed: “If renowned religious and spiritual leaders of the world join hands to appeal for peace, the prospect of peace in the new millennium will be promoted.” Hans Küng, a famous German philosopher and geologist, pointed out: “There is no peace between nations without peace between religions and there is no peace between religions without dialogue between religions.”
In brief, inter-religious dialogue determines inter-religious peace and, in turn, has a fundamental bearing on world peace.
Inter-religious exchanges and dialogues can be carried out on three different planes: ultimate faith, ethical practices and culture and arts. Since exchanges on these planes have different characteristics, different principles are needed for each plane. Fei Xiaotong, a renowned anthropologist in China, has formulated a guideline for different cultures and civilizations to cope with each other:
Cherish one’s own beauty
And appreciate that of others.
Enjoy all of them
Thus comes the Great Harmony.
These principles bear profound insights into human nature, culture and the essence of civilization. They are also applicable to inter-religious exchanges and dialogues.
I. On the plane of ultimate faith:
Cherish one’s own beauty; harmonize each other within diversity. The ultimate faith of a religion is the ultimate pursuit of it. As far as the ultimate faith is concerned, there are usually considerable differences between major world religions as well as ethnic religions.
For example, consider Abrahamic religions, Hinduism, Buddhism and Taoism. Abrahamic religions, including Judaism, Christianity and Islam, are monotheistic: followers believe in God and in attaining immortality in paradise in the next life. Hindus believe in three major gods and aspire to a state of “oneness of Atman and Brahman.” Buddhists believe in Shakyamuni Buddha and strive for Nirvana, which implies the liberation from the six realms of cyclic existence, or for Buddhahood, which means the state of perfect enlightenment. Taoists believe in Laozi and pursue longevity and immortality.
The ultimate faith of every religion has been formed over long periods of time in its particular historical and cultural background and embodies profound psychological demands of the people. Therefore, to accommodate the co-existence of multiple religions, exchanges and dialogues on this plane must be conducted in accordance with the principle of “seeking harmony rather than uniformity.”
II. On the plane of ethical practices:
Appreciate others’ beauty; enrich and complement each other. Though religions differ on the plane of ultimate faith, they are very similar on the plane of ethical practices.
In terms of code of conduct, the Ten Commandments of Moses in Judaism include taboos against murder, adultery, stealing and false witness against others. Such acts as killing, sexual misconduct, stealing and false speech are also listed among the Five Precepts of Buddhism and Taoism.
In terms of principles of conduct, Christianity teaches, “So in everything, do to others as you would have others do to you.” Buddhism advocates “doing no evils and practicing all good deeds.” And Confucianism admonishes followers, “Do not do to others as you would not wish done to yourself.”
In terms of fundamental spirit, Christianity intones “love,” whereas Buddhism stresses “loving-kindness and compassion,” and Confucianism stresses “benevolence.”
To sum up, though religions use different expressions, the contents they convey are basically similar. Therefore, different religions should appreciate and supplement each other.
III. On the plane of culture and arts:
Enjoy all the beauties; reflect and radiate each other. Once embodied in the daily lives of people, the ultimate pursuits and ethical practices of religions will gradually yield varied and multi-dimensional cultural treasures. These treasures include the traditions and artistry in architecture, music, dance, literature, clothing, food and folkways.
As the sublimation of tradition, art is the most appealing expression of the truest emotions and most beautiful feelings of people. Religious arts, moreover, are extraordinarily refined. They can help people purify their minds with the truth, goodness and beauty that they convey. For example, The Harmonic Music of the Miraculous Land, China’s first Buddhist symphony, was very well received in its May 2007 tour around Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.
Magnificent religious architecture is another type of cultural treasure. Extraordinary examples include Ankor Wat (in Cambodia), Wat Phra Kaew (in Thailand) and, of course, Bali Island (in Indonesia). These heritage sites attract numerous tourists from all around the world.
To sum up: On the plane of culture and arts, it is very easy for cultures and arts originating from different religions to thrive together and radiate each other.
“The 21st Century Maritime Silk Road” does not embody the dream of any single country or ethnic group. MSR is the shared dream of many countries and ethnic groups. The economic prosperity and social harmony of any country, region or even the whole world can only be achieved through rich cultural accumulations and unfaltering religious beliefs.
The cultural exchanges and religious dialogues between China and Southeast Asian countries and ethnic groups, therefore, will provide the necessary foundation and best impetus for building the MSR in the 21st Century. We hope that this high-level dialogue will enhance our mutual understanding and trust. We also expect that all of us will pay more attention to cultural and religious exchanges and create more opportunities for them to occur. We believe that, with unrelenting efforts from us all, our developing “community of shared destiny” will be more harmonious and beautiful.
Thank you!
