HANGZHOU, April 12 (Xinhua) -- More than 1,000 Buddhist monks, experts and politicians from 34 countries and regions will attend the First World Buddhist Forum from Thursday to discuss how to build a harmonious world.

    With the theme "A harmonious world begins in the mind", participants will focus on Buddhism's unity and cooperation, social responsibilities and peaceful missions to encourage the international community to work for a peaceful, prosperous and harmonious world.

    Eight Buddhist disciples from the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan proposed the World Buddhist Forum in China in October 2004, a suggestion that won support from Buddhist circles in Japan and the Republic of Korea.

    The forum is expected to serve as a platform for equal, open and diversified high-level exchanges between adherents.

    Sponsored by China's Buddhist Association and Religious Culture Communication Association, it is the first international Buddhist conference since New China was founded in 1949. It runs until April 16. Enditem