Buddhist Diplomacy: History And Status Quo. - USC Center on ...

28 BUDDHIST DIPLOMACY: HISTORY AND STATUS QUOscholars from thirty-seven countries and regions invited. The forumnaturally did not invite the Dalai Lama. The second forum, themed,“A harmonious world; A synergy of conditions,” brought in 1,700monks and scholars from over fifty countries and regions.The Chinese government’s intention to use these events toshowcase its soft power was clearly articulated by the Panchen Lama,a Tibetan <strong>Buddhist</strong> leader who is believed to have been elevated toa high-profile political role by the Chinese government to help buildinfluence among the world’s <strong>Buddhist</strong>s as a counterbalance to theDalai Lama. He said, “This event fully demonstrates that today’sChina enjoys social harmony, stability and religious freedom. Italso shows China is a nation that safeguards and promotes worldpeace”. 109During the post-Mao era, China first employed Buddhism fordiplomacy with South Korea and Japan in 1995, when <strong>Buddhist</strong>monks from three countries met for the first time in Beijing. TheChina-South Korea-Japan <strong>Buddhist</strong> Friendly Interaction Conferencehas since been held thirteen times. Senior Chinese religious leadersexpressed hopes that such conferences should “promote friendshipamong the three countries in generations to come”. 1102. Joining in pan-Asian initiatives to revive Nalanda UniversityChinese monk Xuan Zang trekked to Nalanda in 627CE andlived there for 13 years to study and teach Buddhism. He broughtback many <strong>Buddhist</strong> texts to China and translated them into Chinese.Since the Indian government initiated the project to revive theancient <strong>Buddhist</strong> propagation center in 2006, China has showedstrong interest in it. In 2006, China donated US$1 million to build aChinese studies library for the planned university. 111 Professor WangBangwei of Beijing University was a member of the planning board torevive the university. In a joint declaration by the Indian governmentand the Chinese government, the two agreed to collaborate in thedigitalization of <strong>Buddhist</strong> manuscripts available in China as well asthe re-development of Nalanda as a major center of learning with the