6月的多伦多温和湿润、草木葱翠。在这甘霖遍洒、生机勃勃的美好时节，来自中国、加拿大、美国的佛教界、学术界代表会聚一堂，隆重举行首届中加美三国佛教论坛，畅叙友谊，交流思想，分享经验，共谋发展，可谓群贤毕集，因缘殊胜。这是中加美佛教友好交流史上具有里程碑意义的盛事，是中国佛教国际交流事业的盛事，也是加拿大和美国佛教界的盛事。我谨代表中国佛教协会和中国佛教界，向出席论坛的各位代表、各界嘉宾致以吉祥的祝福；向承办本届论坛的加拿大湛山精舍，向本届论坛的协办单位，以及给予论坛支持帮助的各界人士表示衷心感谢！

  The mild and moist month of June in Canada has brought rich shades of green to the grass and trees. In this vibrant season – flourishing with sweet drizzle and sparkling life force – Buddhist communities and academic representatives from China, Canada and United States come together, gathering at this grand event of the first ever Tripartite Buddhist Forum to be held between China, Canada and the United States. We exchange friendship, share thoughts and experiences, and seek common development.

  This is a gathering of sage people of extraordinary karmic affinity. The auspicious event is a milestone of Buddhist exchange between the historical friendship of China, Canada and the United States. Its auspiciousness marks the international exchange of Chinese Buddhism, which is shared by Canadian and American Buddhist communities alike. On behalf of The Buddhist Association of China and the Buddhist community of China, I would like to extend my heartfelt wishes to all honorable delegates and guests attending the forum. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the host – The Buddhist Association of Canada Cham Shan Temple – as well as the organizers and to all of you who helped and supported the Forum.

  随着新航路的开辟，东西方文化、宗教交流日益频繁、广泛和深入。因缘际会下，佛陀慈悲智慧之光开始照向北美新大陆，佛教的弘法利生事业开启了面向西半球的新纪元。最早将佛教传入加拿大的是中国劳工。上世纪20年代，加拿大的移民政策逐渐宽松，华裔移民迅速增加，加拿大佛教，尤其是汉传佛教迎来了蓬勃发展的新时代。1960年代，乐渡长老、性空长老、诚祥长老心怀“将佛法流传到西方”的大愿，谨遵倓虚老和尚“海外弘法非易，凡事多吃亏，多忍耐，忽忘出家本愿”的谆谆付嘱，先后赴北美弘法，扎根加拿大，在当地华侨居士的护持下，建立佛教组织，兴建弘法道场，安僧办道，讲经说法，摄化信众，广度有缘；五十年默默耕耘，半世纪精进不懈，两代人薪火相承，不仅开创了加拿大汉传佛教兴旺发达的新局面，而且促进了藏传佛教、南传佛教在加拿大的发展繁荣。如今佛教已成为加拿大多元文化与多元宗教百花园中一枝绽放清净光明的妙莲花，为亚裔移民提供净化心灵、导向觉悟的精神家园，为加拿大本土居民打开一扇通往崭新精神世界的般若之门，为加拿大的族群和睦、社会和谐、多元文化与宗教和谐共存，作出了不可磨灭的贡献。

  Following the opening up of new sea routes, the frequency, extent and depth of cultural and religious exchange between the East and West grew. When karmic affinities met with good timing, the Buddha's compassionate wisdom began to enlighten new lands in North America. Facing the Western Hemisphere, the Buddhist cause of “teaching the Dharma and benefiting sentient beings” started a new era…

  Buddhism first arrived in Canada with Chinese labourers in the nineteen twenties. When Canadian immigration policy gradually relaxed and the number of Chinese immigrants increased rapidly, it ushered in a thriving new era of growth for Chinese Buddhism. In the nineteen sixties, under the grand aspiration of “bringing Dharma to the West”, Venerable Elder Ledu, Xingkong and Chengxiang carefully cherished the Elder Abbot Master Tanxu's instruction, telling them that, “teaching Dharma overseas is not easy; in situations when facing losses, one should practice restraint to exercise patience; do not forget the original aspirations of becoming a monk.”

  Following one another's steps, they came over and taught Dharma in North America, settling in Canada. Under the protection and help of local overseas Chinese lay Buddhists, they established Buddhist organizations, building new places to cultivate Dharma teachings. They also organized Sangha to promote practice, taught Sutra and explained Dharma. They assimilated with faith communities, enlightening a great mass of those who have karmic affinities. For fifty years, they quietly laboured. With half a century of diligent perseverance towards excellence and two generations of heritage, not only did they create a prosperous new perspective for Chinese Buddhism, but also assisted the flourishing of Tibetan Buddhism and Theravada Buddhism in Canada.

  Nowadays, Buddhism is like a blossoming lotus in Canadian's multicultural, multi-religious garden – shining with pure, tranquil light that purifies the minds of Asian immigrants, and providing a spiritual home that leads their awakening. At the same time, it opens a new gate for Canadians, giving a fresh outlook into the world of spiritual wisdom – one which results in an indelible contribution to Canadian ethnic and social harmony, as well as peaceful coexistence between multiculturalism and religions.

  最早将佛教传入美国的也是中国劳工。19世纪末，美国政府废除了《排华法案》，汉传佛教在美国的发展迎来新曙光。1929年，太虚大师赴美国演讲、弘法，为中国汉传佛教在美国的传播作出了努力。二战后，特别是上世纪五六十年代，佛教与禅成为美国青年一代批判社会现实、反思自身文化、思考人生价值、探索内心世界的重要精神借鉴与思想资源。在此因缘下，自1950年代以来，来自中国大陆和台湾地区、香港地区的汉传佛教高僧大德纷纷在美国建立道场、成立组织，积极开展弘法事业，美国的汉传佛教取得长足发展。与此同时，藏传佛教和南传佛教也在美国快速传播。品道法师及其领导的美国佛教联合会为汉传佛教在美国的弘扬作出了积极贡献。如今美国佛教徒占全国总人口的比例超过了1%，越来越多的美国本土人士皈依佛教，佛教美国化程度不断提高，形成了重视禅修、重视参与社会、重视宗教对话的鲜明特色。佛教对现代美国人精神世界的塑造产生了重要影响，对美国多元文化与多元宗教和谐共存作出了十分重要的贡献。

  The earliest Buddhism in the United States was also introduced by Chinese labourers. At the end of the nineteenth century, the US government abolished the “Chinese Exclusion Act”, ushering in a new dawn for the development of Chinese Buddhism there. In 1929, Grand Master Taixu arrived to give speeches and promote Dharma teachings, propagating Han Chinese Buddhism in the United States. After World War II, especially in the nineteen fifties and sixties, Buddhism and Chan (Zen) provided an important spiritual reference and ideological resource for generations of young Americans rebelling against social norms. It reflected the culture of the time, helping people contemplate the value of life as they explored their inner minds. Under such karmic affinity, eminent and virtuous monks of Han Chinese Buddhism from mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan came to the US one after another, to establish organizations and places for Dharma practice. They actively engaged in the cause of promoting Dharma, which resulted in great achievements in the development of Chinese Buddhism in the USA. At the same time, Tibetan Buddhism and Theravada Buddhism also spread fast in America. Under the leadership of Master Pindao, the Buddhist Association of the United States made a positive contribution in promoting Han Chinese Buddhism.

  Today, over one percent of US citizens are Buddhists. With more and more Americans converting to Buddhism, its Americanization increases – forming its own distinctive characteristics in valuing meditation, social participation and religious dialogue. Buddhism has played an important role in shaping the spiritual world of modern Americans, and has made a significant contribution to harmonious coexistence between American multiculturalism and religious pluralism.

  回顾历史，我们不难发现，佛教弘传北美，没有坚船利炮开道，没有强大资本支持，靠的是佛教慈悲智慧的精神，靠的是一代代佛弟子为法忘躯、勇猛精进的广大愿行，靠的是居士信众的至诚发心与虔心护持。这充分说明一切众生皆有佛性，充分彰显了佛教跨越时空、种族、民族、国家、文化界限的精神魅力与永恒价值，充分展现了佛教弥合心灵鸿沟、促进不同文明和谐共存、维护世界和平的积极作用和宝贵价值。

  Looking back into history, it isn't difficult to see that the expansion of Buddhism in North America has not relied on powerful ships and cannons to clear its way, nor has there been support from powerful capitals. It has depended solely upon Buddhism's spirit of compassionate wisdom, as well as the selfless sacrifice of generations of Buddhist disciples for Dharma. It has also relied on their grand aspirations and extensive practices during their courageous advancement towards excellence, under the sincere faith and careful support of lay Buddhists. This has proved that all living beings have within them the nature of Buddha, and shown that the eternal value of Buddhism can overcome boundaries of space and time, race, ethnicity, nationhood and culture. It shows how Buddhism plays a positive and valuable role in healing rifts between minds, bringing different civilizations together in harmonious coexistence, and maintaining world peace.

  本届论坛的主题是“圆融中道，持久和平”。圆融、中道，是大乘佛教特别是中国汉传佛教的核心理念之一。圆融，是诸法性空基础上的自他互摄、一多相即，它并非抹杀差异、强求一致，而是丰富多元与一体交融的统一。中道，既是修行处事的松紧适度、恰到好处，也是缘起与性空的一体不二，是世间与出世间的平衡兼顾。圆融中道，不仅是佛教修行的目标，是洞彻实相后高超的精神境界，也是弘法利生的愿行指导。汉传佛教之所以能在加拿大和美国生根发芽、茁壮成长，一个重要的原因就是一代代弘法者发扬、践行了圆融中道精神。今天，我们传承发扬圆融中道精神，不仅有利于汉传佛教在异质宗教文化环境中传播发展，而且对促进不同宗教、不同文化、不同文明相互尊重、和谐共生、交流互鉴，实现人类共同繁荣、世界持久和平，具有重要的现实意义。本次论坛将在“菩萨信仰与人间生活”“菩萨精神与世界和平”“佛教文明与文明对话”三个方面展开深入交流研讨，相信与会代表必将为更好地发扬佛教圆融中道精神、实现世界持久和平，贡献诸多富有启迪的思想成果，带来一场洋溢佛教智慧的殊胜法筵。

  The theme of this forum is, “the Middle Path through well-rounded interfusion, with sustainable peace”. This is one of the core concepts of Mahayana Buddhism, especially of Han Chinese Buddhism. Based upon Dharma's inherent nature of void, “well-rounded interfusion” means the mutual contrast between oneself and others; that “one aspect” and “the rest” are bonded through mutual contrast, resulting in “one is in all and all is in one”. This is not an attempt to obliterate differences nor varieties, nor to force conformity, but to integrate the thriving multiple aspects and the interfusion of oneness. The Middle Path is not only defined by the appropriate degree of equilibrium when dealing with worldly affairs while practicing cultivation – it represents one body of integrity between “affinity arising” and “the void of nature”; it's a balance that simultaneously explains mundane and transcendental worlds. “The Middle Path through well-rounded interfusion” represents an advanced spiritual level for those perceiving truth in its entirety – the goal for Buddhist cultivation. It is also a guidance of aspiration during Dharma teaching practice that benefits sentient beings.

  One important reason that Han Chinese Buddhism has been able to take root and prosper in Canada and the United States, is because generations of Dharma teachers practiced and fulfilled the spirit of “the Middle Path through well-rounded interfusion”. Today we promote this spiritual heritage – not only to benefit the development of Han Chinese Buddhism in diverse religious and cultural environments, but also due to its important practical significance in promoting mutual respect among different religions, cultures and civilizations. Achieving harmonious coexistence through reflection and exchange, brings forth the sustainable peace and commonwealth of humankind. This forum will carry out further discussion of the following three aspects:

  1. Bodhisattva faith and worldly life

  2. Bodhisattva spirit and world peace

  3. The civilization of Buddhism and the dialogue between civilizations

  I believe that under the aspiration of promoting Buddhist spirit shown in the Middle Path through well-rounded interfusion, and under the will of achieving sustainable world peace, the delegates will contribute many enlightening insights – an extraordinary Dharma “feast” with brimming Buddhist wisdom!

  借此机会，我也表达对中加美三国佛教友好交流今后发展方向的四个期许，供大家参考：

  I would like to take this opportunity to express four hopes regarding the future direction of our friendly exchange between China, Canada and United States…

  一、中国佛教界愿与加拿大、美国佛教界共同培养国际性弘法人才。我们希望将加美两国佛教界丰富的本土弘法经验与中国大陆佛教界的人才资源有机结合，共同培养具有较高佛学素养、良好外语交流能力和跨文化弘法能力的国际性弘法人才，促进加美两国汉传佛教发展，推动中国佛教走向世界。

  Firstly, the Chinese Buddhist community is happy to work with the Buddhist community of Canada and the United States to cultivate Dharma teachers with international backgrounds. These two countries' Buddhist communities have rich experience of teaching Buddhism to their locals, and we wish to combine this organically with the talent of – and resources from – mainland Chinese Buddhist communities. We hope to cultivate international Dharma teachers who are both highly proficient in Buddhism and who have real foreign language communication skills and cross-cultural Dharma teaching ability. This will promote the development of Han Chinese Buddhism in Canada and United States, and push Chinese Buddhism forward into the world.

  二、中国佛教界愿与加拿大、美国佛教界团结合作，更好地发挥佛教联结华侨华人的精神纽带作用。希望我们三国佛教界充分运用佛教作为海外华人主要传统信仰的优势，建设华侨华人的精神家园，增强华侨华人的文化归属感，帮助华侨华人更好地融入并积极服务于当地社会。

  Secondly, the Chinese Buddhist community is willing to unite with the Buddhist community of Canada and the United States, to make Buddhism the spiritual bond that connects Chinese people overseas. We hope that the Buddhist communities in our three countries will make best use of the fact that Buddhism is the overseas Chinese people's main traditional belief. We wish to build a spiritual home for them, to enhance their sense of cultural belonging and help them better integrate and actively serve the local society.

  三、中国佛教界愿与加拿大、美国佛教界共同推进汉传佛教的本土化建设。我们愿与加美两国佛教界一道，总结向非华裔人群弘法的经验，探索、发展契理契机的弘法方式和途径，让更多的加美本土民众深入、全面、准确地了解中国汉传佛教，共享汉传佛教的深邃智慧与独特魅力，共同建设蕴含汉传佛教精髓又契合本土民众根机、具有本土特色的汉传佛教，促进佛教在全世界的弘扬。

  Thirdly, the Chinese Buddhist community is willing to work with Canadian and American Buddhist communities to advance the localisation of Han Chinese Buddhism. We are willing to collaborate with the two countries' Buddhist communities to reflect the experiences of Dharma teaching to non-Chinese communities, and explore and develop suitable methods that can assist local Canadians and Americans to accurately understand Han Chinese Buddhism in a deeper, more comprehensive way. We would like to share the unique fascination of Han Chinese Buddhism's deep wisdom, to establish roots of affinity that don't just appeal to local communities with local characteristics, but also represent quintessential Han Chinese Buddhism in furtherance of Buddhist teaching all around the world.

  四、中国佛教界愿与加拿大、美国佛教界共同致力于宗教对话。我们十分愿意学习加、美汉传佛教界与其他文化、其他宗教和谐相处、对话交流的宝贵经验，共同参与世界文明对话、宗教对话，唱响中国佛教好声音，为促进不同宗教和谐共处，推动多元文明交流互鉴，共建人类命运共同体，贡献佛教特有的智慧和力量。

  Fourthly, the Chinese Buddhist community is willing to join forces with Canadian and American Buddhist communities to partake in religious dialog. We are very much looking forward to learn from Canadian and American Han Chinese Buddhist communities, especially their precious experience of harmonious coexistence and communicative exchanges with other cultures and religions. We wish to place the melody of Han Chinese Buddhism into the symphony of worldwide cultural religious dialog! We wish to promote the harmonious coexistence of different religions; to advance exchange and mutual reflection in multiculturalism; to participate in building a common destiny for humankind; to contribute the unique wisdom and strength of Buddhism.

  最后，祝愿三宝慈光加被，本届论坛诸事顺遂、圆满成就。

  Finally, may this forum accomplish all its expectations smoothly under the benevolent light of the Triple Gem.

  祝愿佛日增辉，法轮常转。祝愿加拿大佛教会、美国佛教联合会法务兴隆、蒸蒸日上。

  May the Buddha enlighten brightly, and the Dharma Wheel turns perpetually.

  祝愿在座诸位身心康泰、六时吉祥。

  May the Buddhist Association of Canada Cham Shan Temple and the Buddhist Association of the United States grow and blossom, and may each day your organizations become ever more prosperous.

  谢谢大家。

  Thank you all.