Exploring the Protection of Spiritual Environment, Praying for Global Peace
The sub-forum, titled "Protection of Spiritual Environment", of the 2nd World Buddhist Forum on 31 March 2009 is highly anticipated and has received great interest.
The sub-forum of the 2nd World Buddhist Forum, "Protecting the Spiritual Environment in Buddhism", co-organized by Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Foundation, will take place at the Dharma Drum Degui Academy in Taipei on the morning of 31 March 2009. The Abbot President, Venerable Guo Dong, will give a speech to express the warmest greeting on behalf of Dharma Drum Mountain to all the scholars and honorable guests from countries all over the world.
The vision of "Protecting the Spiritual Environment" was proposed by the Founder of Dharma Drum Mountain, Venerable Master Sheng Yen, in 1992. It has become the common consensus in Taiwan's religious sphere today and has often been raised in discussions of various issues including suicide prevention, vegetarian diet, Six Ethics of the Mind, financial crisis, energy renewal and carbon reduction. The sub-forum, "Protecting the Spiritual Environment", has been one of most popular sub-forums of the 2nd World Buddhist Forum and at least 38 theses will be presented.
Presenters including Venerable Bodagama Chandima thero, the Founder of Theravada Samadhi Education Association in Taiwan, the Vice Chairman of Buddhist Association in Sichuan Province of China, Venerable Suquan, the Abbot of Lohan Monastery in Shifan City of Sichuan, Venerable Daojian, the Abbot of Huayan Monastery in Zhongqing City of Sichuan Province can also be regarded as true practitioners of this inspirational vision in life. They are wholehearted supporters of DDM's humanitarian relief works, such as the reconstruction of hometowns and setting up Peace of Mind Relief Stations following the deadly earthquake in Sichuan and tsunami in Southeast Asia.
To enable honorable guests to truly experience the atmosphere of the Buddhist practice center built on the spirit of "Protecting the Spiritual Environment" and to realize the present situation of Buddhism in Taiwan, Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Foundation has arranged for them to visit the DDM World Center for Buddhist Education in Jinshan Township after the forum. This is with the hope that they will understand how DDM has embodied the idea of "uplifting the character of humanity, building a pure land on earth" and sense the beauty of Chan from the tranquil and delightful environment of the Center.
(translated by Jin Yang/edited by DDM Australia Editing Team)
