Notable absences at Buddhist rally

Around 1000 Buddhist monks and theologians from 30 countries gathered in the picturesque city of Hangzhou for China's first international religious meeting since the Communist Revolution in 1949.

Some are interpreting the congress as a sign of China's growing religious tolerance.

The theme of the convention was supposed to be harmony - but proceedings were dominated by the presence of Tibet's 11th Panchen Lama, a controversial figure anointed by the Communists while still a child, and the absence of the best-known Buddhist monk, the Dalai Lama.

His nominee was whisked away and is thought to be under house arrest.

Now 16, Gyaltsen Norbu shared the stage with eight Buddhist leaders from South Korea, Taiwan and Sri Lanka, and defended China's record on religion.

The timing of the meeting to coincide with Easter is no accident: it sends out a positive message on religious tolerance shortly before President Hu Jintao travels to Washington to meet President George W. Bush, who has urged China to allow greater religious freedom.

There have been signs of warming relations between Beijing and the main organised religions. As well as signs that Beijing might recognise the Vatican by 2008, there have been indications the Dalai Lama may be allowed to visit China.

The Chinese see him as a dangerous separatist, who wants to wrest control of Tibet away from China and declare independence for 2.7 million Tibetans. He has lived in exile in India since 1959 when he fled his homeland after a failed uprising. The Dalai Lama insists he wants autonomy, not independence, for Tibet. Last month he asked to be allowed to go to China.

One Tibetan monk, the abbot of a monastery in Sichuan said the Dalai Lama was missed at the congress. "The Dalai Lama should have been here and we would welcome him. It's a great opportunity and this congress is very precious to us."

Buddhism is seen as less of a threat than other religions as it is not centrally organised and has its roots in Chinese culture. Delegates emphasised the theme of the forum - "a harmonious world begins in the mind", which mirrors President Hu's campaign to build a "harmonious society" in the face of rising domestic unrest.

- INDEPENDENT