On the afternoon of October 23, the 2024 Buddhist Debate concluded successfully in Shaoxing. The event was organized by the Buddhist Association of China, co-hosted by the Chinese Buddhist Sutra Exchange Center and the Buddhist Association of Zhejiang, and undertaken by Shaoxing Buddhist Association and Longhua Temple in Keqiao District
Ten representative debate teams from various Han Chinese Buddhist academies engaged in intense debates, skillfully quoting scriptures and analyzing arguments, while effectively managing both offensive and defensive strategies with eloquent expressions. After careful evaluation and scoring by the judging committee, the debate teams from the Buddhist Academy of China and Fujian Buddhist College (the Bhikkhuni College) were awarded the Golden Lotus First Prize. The debate teams from Jiechuang Institute of Buddhist Studies and Hangzhou Buddhist Academy (the Bhikkhuni College) received the Golden Lotus Second Prize, while the debate teams from Hangzhou Buddhist Academy and the Lingdong College of Guangdong Buddhist Academy won the Golden Lotus Third Prize. Four Buddhist academies, including the Qixia Mountain Branch of the Buddhist Academy of China, the Hanshan College of Jiangsu Buddhist Academy, the Wenzhou College of Buddhist Academy of Zhejiang, and the Qingliang College of Jiangsu Buddhist Academy, received organizational awards.
All participants expressed that the 2024 Buddhist Debate, themed “the practice of Buddhism with Chinese characteristics,” showcased the participants’ solid foundation in Buddhist studies, sharp thinking abilities, and strong expression skills. This debate served as a high-level exchange event among Buddhist educational institutions, providing young Buddhist masters a platform to exchange ideas and analyze dharma principles. It also promoted the study and interpretation of Buddhist doctrines, which is significant for advancing the inherent development of Buddhist institutions, enhancing the quality of Buddhist talent cultivation, and strengthening the systematic support for the development of Buddhism with Chinese characteristics in China.
