The Sixth Guanyin Culture Forum: Taiwan-Japan Interfaith Exchange on Spirituality, Nature, and Faith
Encountering Bodhisattva Guanyin in Japan! 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.
The Sixth International Forum on Guanyin Culture, organized by the LJM World Avalokitesvara Association, the Japan LJM Cultural and Ideological Research Association, and The Shyushi Institute in Japan, focused on the theme "Enlightened by Listening, Hearing the World: Spirituality, Nature, and Faith." Through interfaith dialogue and exchange, the forum 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.
Opening Speech by Venerable Hsin Tao: Grateful for the Fulfillment of Auspicious Connections
Compassion, joy, generosity, and selflessness—resonating with good intentions. Through the opening video, Venerable Hsin Tao expressed gratitude to everyone for their joint efforts in promoting Guanyin culture and passing on Bodhisattva Guanyin'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." Venerable Hsin Tao hopes these initiatives will foster collaboration across various fields to collectively advance spiritual ecology.
Venerable Hsin Tao stated that human's five poisons—attachment, anger, ignorance, arrogance, and doubt—have disrupted the natural ecological order, pushing the Earth's environment to the brink of disaster. With hurricanes, wildfires, floods, droughts, and seasons out of balance, the situation is dire. The LJM is currently planning the establishment of the University for Life and Peace (ULP), which will be founded on the principles of "Loving the Earth, Loving Peace." The university aims to conduct in-depth research on ways to heal the planet and restore ecological health. Additionally, through education, 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.
In her remarks at the forum's opening ceremony, Yasuko Yamamoto, President of the Japan Shyushi Institute, expressed that the continued hosting of the International Forum on Guanyin Culture is extraordinary and auspicious. She hopes that modern people will cultivate spirituality and faith, and treat the Earth with care and kindness. Chen Kuo-Ning, President of the World Avalokitesvara Association, also offered her blessings online, wishing this year's forum great success.
Five Speakers' Special Presentations: Engaging and Insightful Content
This forum invited five speakers: Master Chan Chuen of the LJM; Musashi Tachikawa, Emeritus Professor at the National Museum of Ethnology in Japan; Ma Yu-Chuan, Director of the Museum of World Religions; Tengo Nakatomi, , Chief Priest of the Shinsei Shinto Association; and Kayo Ono, Professor at Tokai Gakuen University. Each delivered a 40-minute keynote speech on topics such as "Keynote Lecture: Where is Bodhisattva Guanyin?", "The World and the Buddha," "Exploring Islamic Spiritual Perspectives from the 18th Dialogue at the Museum of World Religions: Is There a Solution to Ecological Sustainability?", "The End of the Human World," and "The Faith and Miracles of Bodhisattva Guanyin in Japan: Focusing on the eleven-faced Kannon statue of Hasedera Temple in Nara." The content was rich and diverse, offering a variety of perspectives.
Master Chan Chuen mentioned that Venerable Hsin Tao considers himself a servant of Bodhisattva Guanyin. Forty-one years ago, the Venerable founded the LJM in Fulong, Taiwan, transforming it into a spiritual ecological sanctuary. He has guided many destined individuals to learn the compassionate spirit of Guanyin, cultivating countless "Bodhisattva Guanyins in the human world." Together, they work at various global locations towards spiritual awakening and ecological protection. Musashi Tachikawa analyzed the origins and meanings of the names Guanyin and Avalokiteshvara, hoping to rethink the relationship between the world and the Buddha and to establish a Buddhist theoretical framework in modern society. He also highly praised Venerable Hsin Tao for his spiritual ecological perspective, recognizing him as being at the forefront of the continuation of modern Buddhism.
Ma Yu-Chuan, Director of the Museum of World Religions, began by discussing the curatorial concepts behind the two recent special exhibitions, Day and Night of Life and Death and Mountains, Seas, Heaven, and Humanity, and moved on to the 18th "Dialogue between Buddhists and Muslims" held this July. As a Muslim, she explained how Islam views ecology, emphasizing that only through empathy and compassion can we return to spirituality. Tengo Nakatomi shared the origins and meaning of his name, as well as the history of founding the Shinsei Shinto Association, highlighting the essence of Japanese Shinto beliefs. Kayo Ono, grounded in a rigorous theory of Buddhist art history, provided a detailed explanation of the efficacy of Kannon worship in Japan, focusing on the widespread replication of the Eleven-faced Kannon statues from Nara’s Hasedera across different regions.
The panel discussion was moderated by Professor Zhou Xia, a researcher at Japan's Dōhō University Institute of Buddhist Culture and a director of the LJM World Avalokitesvara Association. In addition to the five speakers, Venerable Takaoka Hidenobu, the abbot of Tokurinji Temple in Japan, was also invited to join the discussion. The exchange with the audience sparked even more ideas through a dynamic Q&A. Topics ranged from profound questions on nature and spirituality to how different religions understand spirituality and faith, leading to deeper insights and realizations.
The Guanyin Culture Journal is scheduled for publication in 2025
The LJM follows the practice of Bodhisattva Guanyin as its spiritual tradition and is a well-known Guanyin sanctuary in northern Taiwan. It 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 also devoted to promoting the Guanyin lineage and culture, with plans to publish the Guanyin Culture Journal next year. This journal will begin with Taiwan, gathering 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.
"Where there's a will, there's a way!" The closing ceremony featured a concluding speech by LJM Master Guang Chun, who presides over the LJM World Avalokitesvara Association. She expressed her hope that with each forum, participants would reflect on the wisdom of those who came before, using the religious insight to awaken their inner Guanyin, reconnect with their spiritual essence, and, with the Bodhisattva as their support, pass on the great love of Bodhisattva Guanyin to future generations. With this, the current forum came to a successful close, with an invitation to meet again at next year's Seventh International Guanyin Culture Forum.
The Sixth International Forum on Guanyin Culture, organized by the LJM World Avalokitesvara Association, the Japan LJM Cultural and Ideological Research Association, and The Shyushi Institute in Japan, focused on the theme "Enlightened by Listening, Hearing the World: Spirituality, Nature, and Faith." Through interfaith dialogue and exchange, the forum 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.
Opening Speech by Venerable Hsin Tao: Grateful for the Fulfillment of Auspicious Connections
Compassion, joy, generosity, and selflessness—resonating with good intentions. Through the opening video, Venerable Hsin Tao expressed gratitude to everyone for their joint efforts in promoting Guanyin culture and passing on Bodhisattva Guanyin'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." Venerable Hsin Tao hopes these initiatives will foster collaboration across various fields to collectively advance spiritual ecology.
Venerable Hsin Tao stated that human's five poisons—attachment, anger, ignorance, arrogance, and doubt—have disrupted the natural ecological order, pushing the Earth's environment to the brink of disaster. With hurricanes, wildfires, floods, droughts, and seasons out of balance, the situation is dire. The LJM is currently planning the establishment of the University for Life and Peace (ULP), which will be founded on the principles of "Loving the Earth, Loving Peace." The university aims to conduct in-depth research on ways to heal the planet and restore ecological health. Additionally, through education, 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.
In her remarks at the forum's opening ceremony, Yasuko Yamamoto, President of the Japan Shyushi Institute, expressed that the continued hosting of the International Forum on Guanyin Culture is extraordinary and auspicious. She hopes that modern people will cultivate spirituality and faith, and treat the Earth with care and kindness. Chen Kuo-Ning, President of the World Avalokitesvara Association, also offered her blessings online, wishing this year's forum great success.
Five Speakers' Special Presentations: Engaging and Insightful Content
This forum invited five speakers: Master Chan Chuen of the LJM; Musashi Tachikawa, Emeritus Professor at the National Museum of Ethnology in Japan; Ma Yu-Chuan, Director of the Museum of World Religions; Tengo Nakatomi, , Chief Priest of the Shinsei Shinto Association; and Kayo Ono, Professor at Tokai Gakuen University. Each delivered a 40-minute keynote speech on topics such as "Keynote Lecture: Where is Bodhisattva Guanyin?", "The World and the Buddha," "Exploring Islamic Spiritual Perspectives from the 18th Dialogue at the Museum of World Religions: Is There a Solution to Ecological Sustainability?", "The End of the Human World," and "The Faith and Miracles of Bodhisattva Guanyin in Japan: Focusing on the eleven-faced Kannon statue of Hasedera Temple in Nara." The content was rich and diverse, offering a variety of perspectives.
Master Chan Chuen mentioned that Venerable Hsin Tao considers himself a servant of Bodhisattva Guanyin. Forty-one years ago, the Venerable founded the LJM in Fulong, Taiwan, transforming it into a spiritual ecological sanctuary. He has guided many destined individuals to learn the compassionate spirit of Guanyin, cultivating countless "Bodhisattva Guanyins in the human world." Together, they work at various global locations towards spiritual awakening and ecological protection. Musashi Tachikawa analyzed the origins and meanings of the names Guanyin and Avalokiteshvara, hoping to rethink the relationship between the world and the Buddha and to establish a Buddhist theoretical framework in modern society. He also highly praised Venerable Hsin Tao for his spiritual ecological perspective, recognizing him as being at the forefront of the continuation of modern Buddhism.
Ma Yu-Chuan, Director of the Museum of World Religions, began by discussing the curatorial concepts behind the two recent special exhibitions, Day and Night of Life and Death and Mountains, Seas, Heaven, and Humanity, and moved on to the 18th "Dialogue between Buddhists and Muslims" held this July. As a Muslim, she explained how Islam views ecology, emphasizing that only through empathy and compassion can we return to spirituality. Tengo Nakatomi shared the origins and meaning of his name, as well as the history of founding the Shinsei Shinto Association, highlighting the essence of Japanese Shinto beliefs. Kayo Ono, grounded in a rigorous theory of Buddhist art history, provided a detailed explanation of the efficacy of Kannon worship in Japan, focusing on the widespread replication of the Eleven-faced Kannon statues from Nara’s Hasedera across different regions.
The panel discussion was moderated by Professor Zhou Xia, a researcher at Japan's Dōhō University Institute of Buddhist Culture and a director of the LJM World Avalokitesvara Association. In addition to the five speakers, Venerable Takaoka Hidenobu, the abbot of Tokurinji Temple in Japan, was also invited to join the discussion. The exchange with the audience sparked even more ideas through a dynamic Q&A. Topics ranged from profound questions on nature and spirituality to how different religions understand spirituality and faith, leading to deeper insights and realizations.
The Guanyin Culture Journal is scheduled for publication in 2025
The LJM follows the practice of Bodhisattva Guanyin as its spiritual tradition and is a well-known Guanyin sanctuary in northern Taiwan. It 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 also devoted to promoting the Guanyin lineage and culture, with plans to publish the Guanyin Culture Journal next year. This journal will begin with Taiwan, gathering 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.
"Where there's a will, there's a way!" The closing ceremony featured a concluding speech by LJM Master Guang Chun, who presides over the LJM World Avalokitesvara Association. She expressed her hope that with each forum, participants would reflect on the wisdom of those who came before, using the religious insight to awaken their inner Guanyin, reconnect with their spiritual essence, and, with the Bodhisattva as their support, pass on the great love of Bodhisattva Guanyin to future generations. With this, the current forum came to a successful close, with an invitation to meet again at next year's Seventh International Guanyin Culture Forum.