The development of Buddhism need to keep up with the times, participants said at the Third World Buddhist Forum.

Emphasizing the importance of dialogue, Pin Dao from American Fayu Buddhist Association said, "international and social cooperation has increased the graphical communications. Buddhism has no boundaries among countries but only through socialization can it be better developed."

The forum, which started on Wednesday, is installed with seven sub-forums, several TV forums and an Internet forum in Hong Kong where around 1,000 participants worldwide have dialogues on a series of topics, such as the modern modes of Dharma propagation, improvement of modern day life through Buddhists practices, protection of Buddhist scriptures and Buddhist education.

This is the first time that TV and Internet forums are introduced in the World Buddhist Forum. Organizers believed with the help of modern media, Buddhist can reach more people, especially youngsters. Many participants also agreed that modern media has an effective and efficient role in the propagation of Buddhism.

Master Sik Kin-Chiu, chairman of the Buddhist Association of Macao, said that new media offers an unprecedented way for lecturers to give individualized teaching. "We should make full use of the advantages of the new media and formulate different contests to help the depressed, the spiritless, the over-burdened, etc.," he continued.

"Modernization has brought Buddhists closer to each other and Dhamma masters' lectures are inspiring not only for the Buddhists but also for the non- Buddhists in the world," Bikiran Prasad Barua, professor of Buddhism from Bangladesh, said when he gave a speech at one of the sub-forums.

Taking television as an example of modern media, the professor said nowadays, there are many Buddhist televisions where sermons are delivered by masters, monks and experts.

Buddhism was introduced into ancient China from India more than 2,000 years ago.