It is a tremendously complicated and difficult task to translate the manuscripts, communicate between the two authors and make publishing arrangements for this book, due to its unique theme and simultaneous publishing of both the Chinese and English editions. Without the strong support from many Chinese and American friends, this book could not have been published in time. We wish to extend sincere thanks to Mr. Lin Wusun and his wife Madame Zhang Qingnian for translating and proof-reading the manuscripts. They watched the video tape of the dialogues time and again, and their translation matches the original style of the conversations between the two authors, which is a rare achievement. We thank Mr. Zhang Hongbin for interpreting for and communicating between the two authors; Dr. Yao Junmei for bringing the notes of the dialogues, running to 70,000 words, to a concise text as it reads today; Mr. Yan Kejia, Director of the Institute of Religious Studies, Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences and Mr. Zhuo Xinping, Director of the Institute of World Religious Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, for their guidance in ensuring the accuracy of the religious terms; Madame Wu Wei for consulting with American friends on publishing affairs; Mr. Jay Fordice for his editing work with the English version; Mr. Bob Arnold, who was an invaluable liaison among the parties; Mr. Rob Tucker, Mr. David Wright and everyone at ZDL for their hard work; Dr. Enoch Wan for his insights; Jim and Jan Bisenius for their gift of hospitality extended to our friends from China; Mr. Chen Shilin, Mr. Brad Persons and other photographers for providing the photos. We thank the Information Offices of the State Council and Shanghai Municipal Government for providing excellent logistic support for the dialogues.

We thank Mr. Huang Youyi, Vice-President of the Federation of International Translators and Vice-Chairman and Secretary-General of the Translators Association of China, for his generous attention to the translation and editing of the book.

We should also thank Mr. Paul Chui for serving as interpreter for the dialogue and Dr. Lai Shenghan for communicating tirelessly between the two authors.

Last but not least, we should thank Mr. Chen Zuming and Mr. Shi Lei of the China Association for International Friendly Contact for facilitating the dialogues.