DDM Welcomes the Arrival of Vice President of ARATS for Religious Exchange
On the morning of 19 March, 2010, a delegate of 16 members from the religious group of Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) from Beijing, led by Vice President of ARATS, Mr. Fuqing, Wang, arrived at the Dharma Drum Mountain World Center for Buddhist Education in Jinshan Township, Taipei County, for religious exchange across the strait.
Honorable guests visited the Grand Buddha Hall, the Wish Fulfilling Guanyin Hall and the Founding History Memorial Hall to appreciate and commemorate the late Master Sheng Yen’s marvelous accomplishments in social harmony, uplifting the character of humanity and the propagation of Chinese Buddhism. The guests were highly impressed by the peaceful and inspirational environment within the Center.
On behalf of the DDM Sangha Community Abbot President, Venerable Guo Dong, warmly welcomed the first visit of the Vice President of ARATS and other members during the tea gathering. The Abbot President said that Dharma Drum Mountain prioritizes the purification of one’s spiritual environment and the cultivation of social peace, through the education of Chinese Buddhism and the Three Types of Educations: Education through Public Outreach, Education through Caring Service and Education through Academics. He stressed that although the Venerable Master Sheng Yen had relinquished his Dharma body, the Sangha Community will continue to carry on the Master’s compassionate ideas and vows for peace and happiness of all sentient beings in accordance with the vision of 'uplifting the character of humanity and building a pure land on earth’.
Vice President of ARATS, Mr. Fuqing Wang, said that he first met the Master many years earlier in mainland China. “He was an old friend to me,” he said, “Back then I was already impressed by the Master’s wisdom and kindness towards others, as well as his efforts in promoting peace across the strait.”
He continued by saying that he has no doubts that the DDM Sangha will do well in carrying on the Master’s compassionate vows for the well-being of human beings. Finally, the Vice President Wang expressed that he looked forward to more exchanges between DDM and mainland China’s religious circle in the future.
The visit ended with the exchange of gifts to honor the friendship between DDM and ARATS.
(By Jin Yang/Edited by DDM Australia Editing Team)
