The sixth Buddhist-Christian Colloquium wrapped up Nov. 16 in New Taipei City, with religious representatives from 18 countries and territories engaging in interfaith dialogues and exchanges on the causes of violence in society and methods to heal historical, physical, psychological and spiritual wounds.
 
Hosted by Ling Jiou Mountain Buddhist Society in cooperation with Taipei City-based Chinese Religion Bishops’ Conference and the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, the four-day seminar featured speeches and discussions on the theme Buddhists and Christians Walking Together on the Path of Nonviolence. The event also consisted of prayer and meditation sessions as well as meetings on future opportunities for Buddhist-Christian exchanges.
 
Attendees included Archbishop of Taipei John Hung, LJM founder Dharma Master Hsin Tao, Rev. Peniel Rufus Rajkumar, program executive for interreligious dialogue and cooperation at the World Council of Churches in Geneva, and a delegation from Republic of China (Taiwan) diplomatic ally the Holy See. The keynote address at the opening ceremony was delivered by PCID Secretary Bishop Miguel Angel Ayuso Guixot, with council President Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran speaking at the conclusion of the conference.
 
Cardinal Tauran said in his closing remarks that participating organizations had agreed violence is manifested not only at the individual and social levels but also structurally by cultural, media, political and socioeconomic forces. Members are therefore called to collaborate in dismantling personal and social evils through promoting a culture of action, charity, respect and truth, he added.
 
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Vatican delegation is scheduled to remain in Taiwan through Nov. 18, during which time Cardinal Tauran will meet with Vice President Chen Chien-jen and MOFA Minister David Tawei Lee. The ROC and the Holy See have enjoyed robust ties across a broad spectrum of areas since the establishment of official diplomatic relations in 1942, the ministry said, adding that the two sides have forged a steadfast partnership in advancing development and humanitarian assistance around the world.
 
The first colloquium was hosted in southern Taiwan’s Kaohsiung City in 1995 by Buddhist organization Fo Guang Shan. The following events were held in Bangalore, India in 1998; Tokyo, Japan, in 2002; Rome in 2013; and Bodh Gaya, India, in 2015. (KWS-E)