觉光长老关于第二次世界佛教论坛接受专访

在第二届世界佛教论坛举办之际，记者就相关问题采访了作为主办方之一的香港佛教联合会会长觉光长老。

记者：从参与的范围和影响等方面，有人把“世界佛教论坛”比喻为佛教界的“奥运会”，是一个“世界性佛教界盛会”，您是怎么看待这次活动的？

觉光长老：佛教在世界上是信奉的人最多的宗教之一，这次论坛提倡的精神不仅关系到佛教徒，对全世界都有一定影响。第二届世界佛教论坛承接首届论坛新六和：人心和善、家庭和乐、人际和顺、社会和睦、文明和谐、世界和平，本届的主题是“和谐世界，众缘和合”，重点是一个“和”字。在北京奥运开幕礼中，“和”也是主题，有着这样的一致性，这既是佛教教义的内涵，亦是平息世界上各种纷争最值得提倡的一种好方法。祈愿能借着这全世界的盛会，将这讯息传达给全世界。

记者：这么大的一个世界性盛会，筹备工作是非常繁琐而繁重的。作为主办方之一，香港佛教联合会为第二届世界佛教论坛具体做了哪些筹备工作？在这些工作中感到最困难的是什么？最难忘的是什么？

觉光长老：这次论坛规模庞大，所涉及的范畴又多又广，作为主办方之一，即使是再繁重的工作，只要是对本次论坛、对佛教，以及对全世界有意义的事情，再繁琐再困难的事情也要全心全意去做，至臻完善。

记者：与第一届世界佛教论坛相比，您觉得这届有什么变化？有没有达到你们预期的效果？有哪些成绩与不足？对于不足之处，您觉得应该如何改进？

觉光长老：首届世界佛教论坛有37个国家及地区的各界人士参加，这次论坛有了上一次的基础，我相信无论是参与国家、地区的数目或是参加人数都会比上一届多。这种全世界的佛教界盛会，参与的人愈多，讨论的人愈多，愈能集思广益，对弘法利生，对世界和谐，都会有积极的作用。

记者：这次活动在江苏无锡和台湾台北这两个城市举办，请您说说这次活动对两岸交流的增进有何意义？

觉光长老：中国佛教的历史已有两千多年，无论是大陆还是台湾，佛教已成两岸的共同文化，这次在无锡和台北两个城市举办，这就是“缘”，是一个很好的契机增进两岸的交流。“和谐世界，众缘和合”，本届世界佛教论坛的主题刚好标示了这种历史的必然，相信这个世界性的盛会，一定会促进两岸的和谐发展。

记者：在刚刚过去的一年中，香港佛教联合会开展了各项法务、文化、慈善、社会公益活动，请问在新的一年里你们将有哪些活动安排？

觉光长老：今年是香港佛诞公众假期实施十周年，这个佛诞假期是我们香港佛教界同人努力争取了数十年的成果，在这个极具历史意义的日子，我们将会一连三天在香港体育馆举行庆祝法会及邀请团体表演，以志隆盛。当然，我们还会在清明节期间，启建清明思亲法会，恭请诸山长老大德法师，虔诚礼忏诵经七天，回向世界和平、人民安乐。除此之外，还有佛教坊及615健康素食日，增加市民对佛教的认知及向公众推广素食的好处。

记者：在新的一年中，您打算如何发挥香港佛教联合会作为香港最具领导地位佛教团体的指导和与大陆的桥梁纽带作用？

觉光长老：我们生活在同一个地球，拥有同一片蓝天。我们有共同的民族渊源和文化传统。我们又有“一国两制，港人治港”的政策指引，尤其重要的是我们有共同的信仰，共同的理念和悲愿，传承着中华佛教文化的千年辉煌。

在信息发达、文化多元的时代，我们需要及时建立深厚的佛教发展历史观和对佛教前景的宏观把握，以及对我们所处的社会和世界发展趋势的敏锐洞察力，并发出我们的声音，为佛教的人间化、生活化、大众化、服务社会、服务大众的思路树立典范，引起全球宗教界的关注和高度肯定。

近年，国内稳定和开明的宗教政策，再加上香港特区政府平等对待各宗教的远见卓识，令大陆佛教和香港佛教能互相扶助、互相护持，让佛教能重建形象，确立应有的地位。

佛教在香港具有深厚的根基，在弘法、教育、医疗、青少年、安老等各方面都有长足的发展，香港亦是一个国际性的大都市，是东西文化的交汇点，地理上邻近东亚、东南亚，和世界各地都有传统友谊，在此优势下，香港定能在推动香港佛教自身的发展之余，把握与内地佛教界及各方面的交流合作，发挥佛教在构建和谐社会与和谐世界过程中的作用。

记者：现在正值金融危机，甚至有很多人走向自杀的绝路。您觉得应该如何进一步发挥佛教界人士和信教群众促进经济社会发展的积极作用？

觉光长老：“有情众生”皆有烦恼，最重要是做到6字真言：“放下、自在、解脱”，因为说穿了，一切都只是“自求、内求，自调则宁”，“知足方会常乐”，只有大家认知缘起性空，以智慧面对人生。生死无常，当然金融危机也是无常。认知无常，冬天过去是春天，黑夜过去是朝阳，小小失去了的，不算甚么，最重要不能失去了信心和做人的志气。种善因，得善果。你今天种下的善因，明天必得善果。今天正好做好准备，做足准备，明天肯定会更好。佛教是非常重要的精神资粮来源，在经济危机到来的时候，有智慧，就能赋予人们应对变迁与危机的能力。我祝愿大家同舟共济，努力励志，迎来香港的发展繁荣。

觉光长老1919年生于辽宁省。1928年出家，1930年受戒，后赴观宗寺深造。1939年，赴香港，受天台宗教义，传为天台宗第四十六代。1941年，日军侵港，出走香港。抗战胜利后返港，兴建香海正觉莲社，重组香港佛教联合会，数十年来被推为香港佛教联合会会长，功绩卓著，成为香港著名佛教领袖。

Q: Some people see the “World Buddhist Forum” in Buddhist circle as an Olympic Game in the world, because it is a Worldly Buddhist Grand Gathering as far as extent and influence of its participation are concerned. What is your opinion on this activity?

A: Buddhism is one of the religions have the most followers in the world. The spirit this forum advocates is not only related with Buddhist, but will influence the world to some extent. The second World Buddhist Forum will inherit “the New Six Harmony” of its first one: harmony and kind in people’s mind, harmony and happy in families, harmony and gentle in human relationship, harmony and intimateness in society, harmony and concordant in civilizations, harmony and peace in the world. The theme of the second Forum is “harmonious world, union of all conditions”, the main point is the “harmony”. In the opening ceremony of Beijing Olympic Game, “harmony” was also its theme. There is coherence between them, which is the essence of Buddhist teaching, and also a best way to appease all the conflicts in the world, hence it is worthy to advocate. I wish with this grand gathering of Buddhist people in the world, this message will be delivered to the whole world.

Q: Such an extensive worldly grand gathering, its preparing work will be very detailed and heavy. As one of its organizers, what detailed preparing work The Hong Kong Buddhist Association has been done for the second World Buddhist Forum? In all these works, what is the most difficult thing you feel, and what is the most unforgettable thing?

A: The scale of this Forum is huge and its affairs have to deal with are plentiful and extensive. As one of its organizers, whatever heavy and difficult things are, as long as they are beneficial for this Forum, Buddhism, and the whole world etc, we will do them whole-heartedly unto its perfection.

Q: Compare to the first World Buddhist Forum, what change do you feel in this time? Does it attain its ideal effect? What are its results and shortages? In your opinion, how to improve those shortages?

A: The first World Buddhist Forum, there were participants came from about 37 nations or regions. This Forum is based on its first time, I believe, needless to say the number of participated nations or regions, or even the number of its participants, all will be more than its first time. As to this kind of grand gathering of Buddhism circle in the whole world, the more its participants are, the more its discussants are, the more it will be benefited by mutual discussion, the more it has positive effects to benefit creatures and carry forward Buddhist Dharma, and promote worldly harmony.

Q: These activities will be held in Wuxi of Jiangsu province and Taipei of Taiwan in this time. Please comment what is its significance for the improvement of exchange across the straits?

A: Chinese Buddhism has a history more than two thousands years, Buddhism has became their common culture for both mainland and Taiwan. This Forum that will be held in Wuxi and Taipei is a kind of “conditions”, is a very good chance to improve the exchange across the straits. “Harmonious society, union of all conditions”, the theme of this time World Buddhist Forum, exactly indicates the historical inevitability. It can be believed that this worldly grand gathering will certainly improve the harmonious development across the straits.

Q: In the last year just passed, The Hong Kong Buddhist Association carried out many activities of Dharma affairs, culture, charity, and social commonweal. In this coming year, what activities you planed for?

A: This year is the 10th anniversary of the Buddha’s birthday (April 8 in Lunar Calendar) becoming public holiday in Hong Kong. This holiday is a result of endeavors for decades of all the people in Buddhism circle in Hong Kong. In this day of great historical significance, we will hold celebration Dharma assembly in Hong Kong Gymnasium for three days, and in order to show its magnificence we will also invite performance group to act. In the Tomb-sweeping Day (March 12), we will hold missing relatives Dharma assembly in Tomb-sweeping Day, respectfully invite all those venerable, noble, and Dharma master to repent and chant Sutra for seven days, transferring its merit to the world peace and happiness of everyone. In addition, Buddhist workshop and 615 Healthy Vegetarian Day will be held to promote citizen’s knowledge of Buddhism and popularize benefit of having vegetarian diet to the public.

Q: In this coming year, for The Hong Kong Buddhist Association as the leading Buddhist group in Hong Kong, how do you plan to exert its guiding role and its function as a bridge between Hong Kong and mainland?

A: We are living in the same planet, having the same blue sky. We have the same ethnic origin and cultural tradition. We have the right policy direction “two systems within one country, administration of Hong Kong affairs by people of Hong Kong”, it is particularly important that we have same belief, same ideal and sorrowful will which inherited the brilliance of thousands year of Chinese Buddhist culture.

In the age of high developed information technology, and multi-culture, we need to timely establish profound historical view of Buddhist development, and understand the future of Buddhism generally. We need acute insight to the society we lived and the inclination of world development, and speak out our own voices, establish a model of Buddhism being realized in the world, life, and public, serving the society and public, hence drawing people’s great attention and approval from global religious circle.

In recent years, with the stable society, opening religious policy, and the wide views to different religions of the government of Hong Kong special region, mainland Buddhism and Hong Kong Buddhism could help each other, support each other, and then let Buddhism reestablishing its image and having its deserved position.

Buddhism has very deep foundation in Hong Kong, has been well developed in following aspects: carrying forward Buddhist Dharma, education, medical treatment, teenagers, and helping the elders etc. Hong Kong is also an international metropolis, is the meeting point of Eastern and Western culture, and geographically near Eastern Asia, Southeast Asia, and traditionally is the friends of all over the world. In this special predominance, Hong Kong will propel the development of Hong Kong Buddhism, at the same time grasp the chance to communicate the exchange and cooperation with the inland Buddhism, and then exert its role in constructing harmonious society and harmonious world.

Q: Now economic crisis is happening, many people could not encounter it and even commit suicides. In your opinion, how to further the positive role of Buddhists or believers of Buddhism circle in the development of society and economy?

A: All sentient beings have afflictions, to relieve them an important saying will be “letting go, getting ease, setting free”. To tell the truth, everything is just “seeking by oneself, seeking in oneself, adjusting by oneself; things will be peaceful”, “contenting with what one have will be always happy”. If one realizes that dependent origination and empty nature of everything, one could face the life with one’s own wisdom. Life and death are inconsistent, and the economic crises are also inconsistent. By realization of the inconsistency, the winter passed, spring will come; the night passed, sunrise will come. The lost is just a little bit, and nothing much, the most important thing is never losing the faith and will. By sowing the good seeds, one reaps the good fruits. The good seeds you sow today, it is certain that next day you will reap the good fruits. Today is the right time to be prepared well enough, and then tomorrow will much better. Buddhism is a very important spiritual resource. When the economic crisis came, by one’s own wisdom, one has the ability to face the change and the crisis. I wish by working together, and working hard, a much more prosperously developed Hong Kong will take place.

About the Abbot

Ven. Jueguang was born in Liaoning in 1919. He became a novice monk in 1928, and fully ordained in 1930, later he came to Guanzong Temple for further study. In 1939, he came to Hong Kong, and adopted the doctrines of the Tiantai School, assumed the 46th lineage of the Tiantai School. When the Japanese invaded Hong Kong in 1941, he left Hong Kong, and came back to Hong Kong after the War of Resistance against Japan. He established the Xianghai Zhengjue Lotus Group, and reconstructed Hong Kong Buddhist Association. He has served as the president of Hong Kong Buddhist Association for over ten years, and made prominent contributions, became a famous Buddhist leader in Hong Kong.