The 11th Panchen Lama Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu delivers a keynote speech at the Third World Buddhist Forum in Hong Kong, south China, April 26, 2012. The Third World Buddhist Forum opened here Thursday with more than 1,000 Buddhist monks and scholars from over 50 countries and regions discussing the role of Buddhism in the construction of a harmonious society and peaceful world. [Photo/Xinhua]

The 11th Panchen Lama, the religious leader of Tibetan Buddhism, made his public debut outside the Chinese mainland Thursday at the opening ceremony of the third World Buddhist Forum in Hong Kong.

Materialistic science and technology are valued above the science of the mind, said the Panchen Lama.

"Sins are spreading and (spiritual) corruption has become rampant. The body loses balance and the environment is tainted."

He said greed had "unbalanced the ecosystem, contaminated the environment, caused natural disasters, spread epidemics, induced wars and hence endangered all sentient beings now and in the future."

"We should work toward an organic synergy of 'science of the mind' and 'material technology,' as it would contribute to global peace, social harmony, and cultural development," the Panchen Lama added.

"This was the first time the Panchen Lama delivered a speech outside the mainland, advocating world peace and representing the voice of Chinese Buddhism," said Xu Zhitao, an official with the United Front Work Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

Kuan Yun, director of the forum's organizing committee and a board member of the Hong Kong Buddhist Association, told the Global Times the Panchen Lama's speech won applause from the audience.

"The speech indicated the rampant sins in society as a result of the desire for material wealth, which reflects the real problems in the contemporary world. It shows his understanding of the Buddhist doctrines."

"Before, many Hongkongers saw the Panchen Lama as a mysterious figure, but today he really impressed us with his charisma," he added.