![\"buddhists-ap203.jpg\"](\"http:\/\/www.groonk.net\/blog\/images\/buddhists-ap203.jpg\")
Buddhists from more than 30 countries are in China for the World Buddhist Forum – communist China’s first international religious gathering<\/a>.<\/p>\nHundreds of monks and scholars are visiting the eastern city of Hangzhou, but Buddhist spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, has not been invited.<\/p>\n
China regards the exiled Tibetan leader as a separatist.<\/p>\n
It has made its choice of Panchen Lama – Tibet’s second most important figure – the figurehead of the conference.<\/p>\n
But according to Reuters news agency he appeared to be shunned by delegates.<\/p>\n
Fellow Buddhists made no attempt to greet Gyaltsen Norbu during greeting ceremonies ahead of the conference on Wednesday, the agency reported.<\/p>\n
The Dalai Lama has nominated his own Panchen Lama, who has disappeared and is believed to be under house arrest.<\/p>\n
China appointed Gyaltsen Norbu in his place in 1995.<\/p>\n
[…]<\/p>\n
China said it did not want the Dalai Lama to “disharmonise” the forum, which opens on Thursday and runs until Sunday.<\/p>\n
“The Dalai Lama is not only a religious figure, but is also a long-time stubborn secessionist who has tried to split his Chinese motherland and break the unity among different ethnic groups,” said Qi Xiaofei, vice-director of the state administration for religious affairs.<\/p>\n
But China is trying to thaw relations with religious establishments, including the Vatican, our correspondent says. <\/p><\/div>\n