An aerial view of West Lake in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province on Nov 23, 2022. [Photo/IC]

International Buddhism exchanges and cooperation among people from China, the United States and Canada are important in efforts to boost mutual understanding and promote peace, religious leaders said.

They made the remarks at the third China-US-Canada Buddhist Forum last week in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, where nearly 300 representatives and guests participated.

Themed "Tranquil Mind, Auspicious Coexistence", the forum aims to connect the Buddhist communities of the three countries to promote international Buddhist exchanges and cooperation and facilitate exchanges and mutual learning between Eastern and Western civilizations.

"Only by realizing that the world is a community with a shared future for humankind, can different countries jointly promote peace and harmony," said Master Yanjue, head of the Buddhist Association of China.

Master Mingyu, head of the American Buddhist Federation, said Buddhism is not just a religion but also a philosophy that can guide people through life.

"Buddhism has become increasingly popular in the US since the 20th century. In particular, Chan Buddhism, which originated in China, has helped many people find inner peace. It's important to find ways to better integrate the teachings of Buddhism with people's daily activities so people can live in peace and harmony," Mingyu said.

Master Dayi, head of the Buddhist Association of Canada, said it's necessary to promote Buddhism differently among overseas Chinese and Westerners that have different lifestyles. China has set a good example in making sure that the promotion of Buddhism can adapt to social development.

Last week's forum was the first to be held in China. Toronto hosted the first event in 2017, and the second was held in New York in 2019.

The event has become a platform to promote friendly exchanges among the Buddhist communities across the Pacific Ocean.