二千五百多年来，佛教发展出两大主要传统，即南传上座部佛教和北传大乘佛教。此两大传统与当地文化紧密结合，发展出丰富多彩的佛教思想和实践，创造了辉煌的佛教文化。面对新的机遇和挑战，如何加强上座部佛教和大乘佛教之间的交流，促进相互了解和友好往来，是当今佛教界和学术界共同关心的课题。本分论坛立足于当今多元文化的处境，增进南北传佛教的对话与交流。 

For over 2,500 years, Two major traditions in Buddhism have been developed – Theravada’s Sthavira and Mahayana. These two traditions are closely integrated with the local culture and developed rich and colorful Buddhist thinking and practices, establishing a resplendent Buddhist culture. When facing new opportunities and challenges, how to strengthen the exchange between Sthavira and Mahayana in order to understand and establish friendship? These are the concerns of both the Buddhist world and academic circle of today. Standing in a position of today’s multicultural environment, this subforum aims to enhance the exchange and dialogue between Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism.