The Taiwanese Buddhist community visited the Vatican, and Pope Francis (front) greeted him personally with the highest courtesy.

(courtesy of the Vatican)

[Reporter Hong Dinghong/Kaohsiung Report] Taiwanese Buddhist circles visited the Vatican a few days ago. At noon on March 16th local time, Pope Francis of the Catholic Church welcomed them personally with the highest courtesy. The two sides prayed silently for world peace for 3 minutes, which was regarded as major breakthrough.

The Taiwanese Buddhist delegation was led by Monk Xinbao, Master Shouyu, Master Wuyin, Master Rujing, Master Mingguang, and Master Jingyao, including nearly a hundred people from various monasteries and elites from the cultural and educational circles.

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In his speech, Pope Francis affirmed that Venerable Hsing Yun of Fo Guang Shan "is a pioneer of inter-religious friendly exchanges." He emphasized that inter-religious educational exchanges provide multiple opportunities to "meet and learn from each other" and promote world peace.

The monk Xinbao pointed out that Venerable Hsing Yun had met with Pope John Paul II and Benedict XVI successively in 1997 and 2006 to exchange views, hoping to continue the past friendship and enhance the relationship between Buddhism and Catholicism. cooperate.

Father Paulin B. Kubuya, Deputy Secretary-General of the Holy See's Interreligious Dialogue Department, has served in Taiwan for more than 20 years and is an important behind-the-scenes driving force for this religious exchange.

He pointed out that Venerable Xingyun had a deep friendship with Cardinal Shan Guoxi. Although both of them have passed away, religious exchanges have not stopped.