The International Forum on Tao Te Ching kicked off in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, on April 22, 2007. (CRIENGLISH.com Photo)

Tao Te Ching, or the Classic of the Way and Virtue, was written by Lao Zi about 2,500 years ago, around the time when Buddha was expounding the Dharma in India and Pythagoras was teaching in Greece. China's high-ranking officials have called for adopting the wisdom of ancient Taoism to build a harmonious society.

"It is not only a precious gem in the treasure house of Chinese culture but a common spiritual wealth of the mankind," said China's senior official Jia Qinglin at a congratulatory message to the International Forum on Tao Te Ching, which started Sunday in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

The principle of being modest and peaceful in the book would provide an inspiring reference to China's ongoing construction of a harmonious society, said Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

Tao Te Ching has influenced the Chinese people generation after generation, as well as people of different countries, races, nationalities and languages, he added.

"Today, in the 21st century, the ancient concepts and views of Tao Te Ching still have important values," said Liu Yandong, vice chairman of the CPPCC National Committee.

As one of the important classics of Chinese traditional culture, Tao Te Ching manifests a great profundity of thought contained in pithy remarks.

The book, consisting of only 5,000 characters, is a reflection of the lofty aspiration of the Chinese nation for amiability, happiness and harmony, said Liu.

The forum, jointly sponsored by Chinese Taoism Association and China Religious Culture Communication Association, will be held from April 22 to 27 in Xi'an and Hong Kong.

Involving 300 delegates from 17 countries and regions, it has been the first international forum of its kind that China has organized for the last 50 years.

Related news: Guinness record set for reciting Tao Te Ching

A total of 13,839 Hong Kong citizens recited China's philosophical classic "Tao Te Ching" together at Hong Kong Stadium Saturday (Apr 21) afternoon, setting a new Guinness record for "most people reading aloud simultaneously in one location."

As the prelude of the "International Forum of Tao Te Ching", the rally attracted over two thousand citizens and guests. Leaders of six religious groups including Buddhism, Confucianism, Catholicism and Muslim officiated at the rally.

This event echoes the expansion of the site of the original podium in Xian, Shaanxi province where the author of Tao Te Ching, Lao Zi, first delivered his lectures. To commemorate this event, various Taoist bodies in Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland decided to organize an International Forum of Tao Te Ching this month.

Andrea Banfi, the returning officer from the Guinness Book of Records announced the making of a new record and delivered a certificate to that effect.

According to Guinness Book of Records, all participants in the rally had to sign a declaration proclaiming their willingness to take part in this record making event. During the reciting, every 20 participants were closely monitored by a person designated by the organizers to verify that they actually participated in the recitation.

The previous record for "most people reading aloud simultaneously in one location" was made in Gary, Indiana on June 1, 2004, which gathered an assembly of 6,210 participants in this recitation event.

"The wisdom of Tao bears great significance to building a prosperous, stable and harmonious Hong Kong society," Jiang Jianyong, vice chairman of China Religious Culture Communication Association said, adding that this event embodies the unity of religion circle in Hong Kong.

Secretary for Home Affairs Patrick Ho said such a rally can only be held at a time when the country is in prosperity and the society is in harmony. At the moment when Hong Kong celebrates its10th anniversary of returning to the motherland, he was much touched by citizens' participating in the recitation.

Translated into over thirty languages and reprinted numerous times throughout its two thousand years history, Tao Te Ching is one of the most studied and well-known Chinese philosophical classics and considered one of the most important texts in the human intellectual heritage. It analyzes the relations between human and nature, and reveals the truth of harmony in life.

source: Cri website & China View website

Editor: Wing