Taiwan, Japan Interfaith Exchange on Spirituality, Nature, and Faith at Sixth Guanyin Culture Forum
(中央社訊息服務20241014 10:48:08)The Sixth International Forum on Guanyin Culture was held on September 30 at the Nagoya International Center in Japan. The event brought together five experts from Taiwan and Japan, each representing different faiths, to interpret the spiritual and religious significance of the times from their religious perspectives. Attendees hoped to follow in the footsteps of Venerable Hsin Tao, Founding Abbot of the Ling Jiou Mountain Buddhist Society (LJM), and, through the power of religion, rediscover the roots of ecological spirituality to become guardians of ecological sustainability.
Organized by the LJM World Avalokitesvara Association, the Japan LJM Cultural and Ideological Research Association, and The Shyushi Institute in Japan, the forum focused on the theme "Enlightened by Listening, Hearing the World: Spirituality, Nature, and Faith." Through interfaith dialogue and exchange, the gathering aimed to teach participants to listen to the cries of all beings on Earth, helping modern people rediscover the power of spirituality and inner peace, and seeking solutions to the planet's ecological crisis.
Venerable Hsin Tao expressed gratitude to everyone for their joint efforts in promoting Guanyin culture and passing on the Bodhisattva’s spirit of compassion. He also gave special thanks for the positive connections in Japan that facilitated the establishment of the "LJM Cultural and Ideological Research Association" and the "Heaven's Eye Cottage." He hopes these initiatives will foster collaboration across various fields to collectively advance spiritual ecology.
The LJM is currently planning for the establishment of the University for Life and Peace. The university aims to conduct in-depth research on ways to heal the planet and restore ecological health. It seeks to inspire spiritual awakening in individuals, helping them realize that humanity and all living beings are interconnected, fostering greater love for the environment in which we live.
The LJM follows the practice of Bodhisattva Guanyin as its spiritual tradition and is dedicated to promoting the compassionate spirit of the Bodhisattva, who saves beings from suffering with great mercy and compassion. To help more people gain a deeper understanding of Bodhisattva Guanyin, the LJM World Avalokitesvara Association was established in 2018, and it continues to host forums. The association is devoted to promoting the Guanyin lineage and culture, with plans to publish the Guanyin Culture Journal next year. This journal will gather cultural data and field research on Guanyin traditions from various regions and will become a classic reference for the study of Guanyin belief in Taiwan.
