The Second World Buddhist Forum opened in the eastern Chinese city Wuxi on March 28 with more than 1,700 Buddhist monks and scholars from about 50 countries and regions gathering to discuss how Buddhism can contribute to building a harmonious world.

"Buddhism is a religion boasting openness and tolerance. When he founded the religion, Buddha advocated his moral position -- equality of all living beings as well as harmony and amicability," Du Qinglin, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), told the opening ceremony in the gigantic Buddhist Palace at Lingshan Mountain.

"We anticipate that world Buddhist circles will carry forward the spirit of 'harmony and synergy', manifest the qualities of mercy and compassion, reclaim people's souls and promote harmonious coexistence between humans and nature, humans and society, among people and within each individual," said Du, who is also head of the United Front Work Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.

He said the world faces the financial crisis, social contradictions, culture shock and environmental contamination.

He added: "To persist in 'harmony and synergy' and co-create harmony, we are called upon to depend on the people's welfare, hold high the banner of human progress and create promising conditions for world peace.

"We should respect diversity on the basis of equal treatment, strengthen mutual understanding through communications and achieve common progress while making up for each other's deficiencies," he said.

"The Chinese people have always unswervingly held high the banner of peace, development and cooperation, pursued a strategy of mutual benefit and win-win outcomes and actively developed international exchanges and cooperation," he said.

They have also "positively participated in coping with the financial crisis, committed themselves to promoting world economic growth and the progress of human civilization and worked with people across the world for harmony, lasting peace and common prosperity," he added.

The 11th Panchen Lama, Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu, delivered a speech in English at the forum, offering his views on building a harmonious world and urging people to do more good deeds and help others.