It has been a great honor for Assumption University and especially its School of Philosophy and Religious Studies to host this Symposium with the teams of distinguished scholars from the Institute of Philosophy of Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences and Department of Philosophy of Fudan University, Shanghai. This is part of a series cosponsored by The Council for Research in Values and Philosophy (RVP) with the Chinese philosophers since 1997.

Assumption University continues to promote the study of values and philosophy, especially the foundations of social life and civil society, with special attention to the way in which Buddhism and Christianity may jointly contribute over time. It is our hope, beginning with this work, to share the results of the research with philosophers in all parts of the world.

Assumption University now has close collaboration with the scholars from mainland China. This project is surely not the last; we look forward to more such a collaboration in the future.

Last but not least, I would like to thank Dr. George F. McLean for facilitating this precious opportunity for our School of Philosophy and Religious Studies to engage in cooperative world and effort of The Council for Research in Values and Philosophy (RVP) for the restoration of civil society in our times.

Kirti Bunchua

Assumption University

Bangkok, Thailand