Celebrating the Success of the 16th IABS Conference
The 16th International Association of Buddhist Studies (IABS) conference was formally wrapped up on the afternoon of 24 June 2011, following a warm and touching closing remark given by Venerable Guo Dong, the Abbot President of Dharma Drum Mountain.
The Abbot President also congratulated the 500 plus professionals and scholars in Buddhist studies.
The Abbot President enthusiastically said that although time was short, the fact that hundreds of in-depth papers were presented over the five-day meeting at many different subject-oriented panels was a great achievement. It could also be considered as taking a Dharma meal for the purification of one’s mind as well as the minds of others.
Venerable Guo Dong warmly welcomed every honourable guest to visit the DDM World Center for Buddhist Education again in the near future. The DDM World Center is more than just the center for Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva (Guanyin) practice. It is also the foundation center for the propagation of orthodox Chinese Buddhism and nurturing aspiring talent.
“DDM welcomes you to come again to experience the beauty of DDM’s Chan (Zen) meditation,” the Abbot President said happily.
The IABS President, Cristina Scherrer-Schaub, conveyed her deepest gratitude for the hospitality and the tremendous effort that DDM had contributed to the event, which allowed the 16th IABS Conference to unfold so smoothly and successfully.
Then, with great compassion, Venerable Guo Dong and President Cristina Scherrer-Schaub co-displayed a long silk scroll on stage with over 200 signatures of IABS members on it, in honour of the victims of the deadly Japan earth quake and tsunami in early March this year. This compassionate act was greeted with a big round of applause from the audience.
Although time was limited, the results of the 16th IABS Conference were rather satisfactory, the President of Dharma Drum Buddhist College, Venerable Hui Min said.
He gave his deepest appreciation to those who had contributed to the success of the conference.
(translated by Jin Yang/edited by DDM Australia Editing Team)