| The first-ever World Buddhist Forum to take place in | | | | at Lignan University in Hong Kong and an expert on |
| China opened with more than 1,000 Buddhist monks, | | | | religion in China, says Beijing continues to see the |
| nuns and scholars from around the globe attending. | | | | Dalai Lama as a threat because of what he |
| Not present was the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai | | | | represents to millions of Buddhists in China. |
| Lama, whom the Chinese authorities continue to ban. | | | | "[The] Dalai Lama is an icon of authentic religion, in |
| The forum opened with great fanfare in the eastern | | | | Buddhism, in Tibet. What Dalai Lama is really preaching |
| Chinese city of Hangzhou and is seen by analysts as | | | | is real religion. That means what he preaches, he |
| China's attempt to show it fosters religious freedom. | | | | himself practices," she said. |
| Among the speakers on the opening day was the | | | | She says that holding a Buddhist conference does |
| Panchen Lama, the 16-year-old boy, seldom seen in | | | | not necessarily mean that China is taking a significant |
| public, that the Chinese Communist authorities have | | | | step toward allowing more religious freedom. She |
| chosen to be the second highest figure in Tibetan | | | | says the communist leadership remains suspicious of |
| Buddhism after the Dalai Lama. | | | | any religious activity, especially that which occurs |
| In remarks contained in an official translation, the | | | | outside of its supervision. |
| Panchen Lama said Buddhism has made a | | | | "It is too early to say that China is not willing to open |
| commitment to defend the Chinese nation and | | | | religion," added Leung. "But I think it is also too early |
| society. | | | | to say China is wholeheartedly opening [to] religion, |
| Many Tibetan Buddhists do not recognize the | | | | because religion is related to ideological problems. |
| Panchen Lama installed by Beijing. | | | | China takes religion as a frame of mind for any social |
| The Dalai Lama recognized a different boy as | | | | movement. Look at Falun Gong." |
| Panchen Lama in 1995, but that boy has not been | | | | Falun Gong is a spiritual movement labeled an "evil |
| seen in public since then and Chinese officials refuse | | | | cult" by the Beijing government. The Chinese |
| to say where he is. | | | | authorities systematically crack down on its |
| The Dalai Lama has been living in exile since 1959 | | | | members, along with those who practice other faiths |
| when he fled following a revolt against China's | | | | outside institutions that are not registered with the |
| takeover of Tibet. China has repeatedly refused to | | | | state. |
| allow the spiritual leader to return, accusing him of | | | | Negotiations have been under way recently between |
| working to split Tibet from the rest of China. | | | | China and the Vatican as both sides try to reach an |
| The Dalai Lama has called for greater autonomy for | | | | agreement on the appointing of bishops - a key |
| Tibet, but not independence. | | | | obstacle that has prevented Beijing from normalizing |
| Beatrice Leung, a professor of politics and sociology | | | | relations with the Holy See. |