Buddhist students inspect their learning materials during the opening ceremony of China¡¯s first English-language training program for Buddhists, launched at Shanghai International Studies University yesterday.
THE country's first English-language training program specially designed for Buddhists was launched at Shanghai International Studies University yesterday.
The first batch of 21 Buddhists from 10 provinces will receive a six-month intensive course covering Buddhist theories. Buddhist scholars from Hong Kong and Taiwan will also give lectures.
The program aims to improve Chinese Buddhists' communication skills with international scholars.
"We noted a shortage of Buddhists fluent in foreign languages at the first World Buddhist Forum, two years ago," said Qi Xiaofei, vice director of the State Administration for Religious Affairs.
"Similar training courses in other languages such as Korean and Japanese will be launched in the future," said Zhao Yujuan from the Juequn Charity Foundation of Shanghai's Jade Buddha Temple.
"Language has always played an important role in Chinese monks' understanding of the Buddhist masterpieces," said Master Juexing, president of the Buddhist Association of Shanghai.
The program is co-sponsored by the Shanghai Jade Buddha Temple.
NEWSPAPER EDITION 
