“The door to Goodness, Wisdom and Compassion are opened by keys of the heart.” This inscription is the first thing visitors see upon stepping out of the elevator at the Museum of World Religions (MWR). More than just a saying on the wall, it encapsulates the lifelong dedication of Dharma Master Hsin Tao—the Founding Abbot of Ling Jiou Mountain—in his spiritual cultivation and tireless promotion of interfaith dialogue over the past half-century.

Fr. Pietro Rossini and Fr. Hector Gabriel, both members of the Roman headquarters of the Society of St. Francis Xavier, came to Taiwan with a dedicated mission: to film a documentary on interreligious exchange. As part of their journey, they interviewed Venerable Xian Yue, CEO of the Museum of World Religions Development Foundation. In the course of their conversation, Venerable Xian Yue shared, in vivid detail, the spiritual path and visionary aspirations that led Dharma Master Hsin Tao to establish the museum—revealing how one monk’s ascetic practice transformed into a global platform for interfaith engagement.

Awakening Through Austerity: The Communal Spirit of Religion

Four decades ago, at a time when Taiwan’s religious landscape was blossoming in diversity, Dharma Master Hsin Tao entered a period of solitary retreat and ascetic practice in the Fahua Cave at Ling Jiou Mountain. During that time of fasting and silent meditation, he experienced a profound awakening: a deep sense of unity with the surrounding natural world, where the boundary between self and environment dissolved, and all life was revealed to be an interconnected whole. This insight—emerging from the stillness of retreat and the austerity of fasting—became the spiritual cornerstone for what would later become the Museum of World Religions.

To Dharma Master Hsin Tao, religion is a vessel for purifying the heart and awakening wisdom. He envisions bringing together the world’s great religious traditions—those that have most significantly contributed to human civilization—under one roof. By doing so, he hopes that every visitor may come to appreciate the beauty and goodness in diverse faiths, and ultimately discover a place of spiritual belonging within themselves.

A Solitary Monastic’s Unique Path of Perseverance: Building a Museum for Love and Peace

At the outset of the museum’s founding, Dharma Master Hsin Tao was neither a professional in museum studies nor an expert in every world religion—his bold vision was met with widespread skepticism. Yet, with the unwavering dedication of a spiritual practitioner, he led his disciples and followers through more than a decade of preparation. Their perseverance bore fruit in 2001 when the Museum of World Religions officially opened its doors.

“It was a lonely and challenging road,” said Venerable Xian Yue, “but also a path paved with love and peace.” Taiwan’s unique and precious environment of religious freedom made it possible for a museum that integrates the wisdom of the world’s great religions to be born, to grow, and ultimately to gain international recognition.

A Messenger of Sincere Connection: Building Bridges Through Faith

Though not fluent in English, Dharma Master Hsin Tao never let language barriers hinder his steps toward the world. With a humble stack of name cards in hand, he navigated major international religious conferences and paid homage to sacred sites of world religions—from Jerusalem to India and Nepal. He once described these journeys as pilgrimages to honor the “genes of the sages,” forging deep bonds with global faith traditions through silent reverence and heartfelt sincerity.

As Venerable Xian Yue describes it, these were not simply exchanges of words, but moments of spiritual communion—genuine friendships formed not through language, but from the heart.

The Heart of Interfaith Dialogue: Where Love and Peace Converge

At the center of the golden atrium of the Museum of World Religions stand two golden pillars, inscribed with the words Love and Peace. They symbolize the shared values at the heart of all religions. Dharma Master Hsin Tao firmly believes that if we can seek common ground among diverse faiths, respect differences, and walk the path together, only then can true peace come to our world.

Venerable Xian Yue recalls a powerful example: in the aftermath of the 2004 South Asian tsunami, Dharma Master Hsin Tao rallied nine major religious organizations in Taiwan—including the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan, Caritas Taiwan, the Supreme Council of the Tienti Religion, the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baháʼís of Taiwan, the Chinese Muslim Association, the Chinese Taoist Association, I-Kuan Tao, and the Buddhist Association of the Republic of China—to launch a joint fundraising campaign for disaster relief in South Asia. Their united efforts helped build “Houses of Love” in Sri Lanka for those affected by the tragedy.

The Next Chapter: From the Museum to the University for Life and Peace

Venerable Xian Yue shared that Dharma Master Hsin Tao believes, “As long as there is a shared goal, religions can collaborate seamlessly.” He has often emphasized that in the face of the planet’s ecological crisis, all religions must become guardians of the Earth. The link between spirituality and ecology, he says, is a shared mission for the world’s faith traditions.

Now in its 24th year, the Museum of World Religions has achieved a milestone in its mission to promote respect and inclusiveness. Looking ahead, Venerable Xian Yue explains that Dharma Master Hsin Tao is now advancing the founding of the University for Life and Peace. Grounded in ecological, spiritual, and interreligious education, the university aspires to be a global institution born for the Earth. Rooted in international curricula and drawing from the wisdom of the world’s religions, the University for Life and Peace will carry forward the legacy of the Museum of World Religions—planting seeds of love and peace in the hearts of many, where they may sprout, take root, and blossom.