The 18th Buddhist-Muslim Dialogue Focuses on Ecological Sustainability, Taking Place in New Taipei City

(中央社訊息服務20240715 10:47:28)

The 18th Buddhist-Muslim Dialogue, hosted in various locations worldwide, took place on July 5-6 at the Museum of World Religions (MWR) in Taiwan. This year's theme is "Is There a Solution to Ecological Sustainability?" The event featured 25 prominent speakers from Taiwan, Japan, Malaysia, Bahrain, and other countries, engaging in dialogues that blend spirituality and science.
Through four keynote speeches and eight panel discussions, the event explored the possibilities of coexistence from both an international perspective and Taiwan's practical experiences, discussing how religion and science can collaborate to create a sustainable future.

The opening ceremony was led by Venerable Hsin Tao, founder of the MWR and the Ling Jiou Mountain Buddhist Society, along with distinguished guests who offered prayers and blessings for ecological sustainability.
"Only through spiritual awakening can one recognize that all things possess a spirit," Venerable Hsin Tao said in his opening speech. He urged starting with the awakening of one's inner spirituality, realizing that all things and humans are equal partners in a diverse, interdependent community of life. This awareness is essential for respecting the value of all species, he reminded, accommodating each other's living spaces, and sharing the common fruits of life's growth.

Religion, as the connector and guardian of human spirituality, has a greater responsibility to link religious spirituality with ecological spirituality. He hopes that the religious community will unite to help everyone return to their spirituality, awaken the shared spiritual love of the public, and connect the wisdom and strength of various fields to effectively use technological expertise for the benefit of humanity.
The Dialogue features a diverse and thought-provoking range of subtopics. The first day includes discussions on human evolution and ecological symbiosis, religious responses to climate change, environmental ethics and religious responsibilities, and voices from ecology. The second day covers the way of coexistence, forgotten voices in environmental issues, finding sustainable living possibilities through faith, and the rules of living in harmony with nature. These discussions aim to explore whether there are solutions for ecological sustainability from various perspectives and what concrete actions can be taken for the Earth and us. The event attracts people interested in religion, ecology, and environmental protection.

Adhering to the principles of respect, inclusiveness, and universal love, the MWR began the Buddhist-Muslim Dialogue in 2002. These dialogues have since been held in 11 countries worldwide and have garnered significant attention in religious circles.