The 11th Panchen Lama Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu, a senior living Buddha in Tibetan Buddhism, delivered his first-public speech outside the Chinese mainland on Thursday, to promote Dharma - Buddha's teachings - in Hong Kong.

He made the keynote speech in Mandarin at the third World Buddhist Forum, which opened on the same day.

The Panchen Lama voiced his concern about a contemporary trend to put "materialistic technology" ahead of the "science of the mind".

"Increasing greediness in people's hearts has unbalanced ecosystems, contaminated the environment, caused natural disasters, spread epidemics, induced wars and hence endangered all sentient beings now and in the future," he said.

"Buddhist doctrines are the essence of the 'science of the mind', which can benefit spiritual growth, cultivate morality, dissolve human conflicts and mental sufferings, and bring global peace," he added, noting that inheriting and developing Dharma is the utmost mission for all Buddhists.

He also stressed that a sufficient number of ordained students is the key to promoting and developing Dharma.

The 22-year-old stood out among a group of elderly, and eminent, monks. His previous public speech was an address he gave at the opening of the second World Buddhist Forum in East China's Jiangsu province three years ago.

The Third World Buddhist Forum is placing emphasis on Buddhists' social responsibility for social harmony and world peace.

Top political advisers, officials and eminent monks from more than 50 countries and regions attended the opening ceremony for the two-day event at the Hong Kong Coliseum.

The ceremony was held on the same stage where the holy Buddha's skull bone relic was enshrined for public worship after being flown to Hong Kong on Wednesday.

A congratulatory message from Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, was read out.

"It's my hope that the participating masters will use the occasion to exchange experience in religious practices, find more cultural resources, expound the inner meanings of Buddhist teachings and explore solutions to the common problems facing all mankind, in order to make a positive contribution to kinder human relations, greater social harmony and a more peaceful world," Jia said in his letter.

Chuan Yin, president of the Buddhist Association of China, echoed the concerns. "The human race has achieved unprecedented success in terms of technology and material civilization, while their inner troubles and external conflicts have never decreased," he said.

Kok Kwong, the 93-year-old president of the Hong Kong Buddhist Association, said it's the sacred mission of Buddhists to resolve complicated social conflicts through Buddhist wisdom.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also sent a letter to the forum. The UN chief welcomed the forum's focus on the six actions of gratitude, contributions, treasuring friendship, tolerance, respect and sharing with others, which he said would be helpful in the UN's work in the three fields of peace, development and human rights.

Wei Chueh, founder of Chung Tai Chan Monastery in Taiwan, said cultural exchange is a good way to unlock the knots in people's hearts.

A ceremony to pray for world peace will be conducted by 52 representatives of Buddhist organizations worldwide to mark the end of the forum on Friday.

Contact the writer at guojiaxue@chinadailyhk.com