Compassion Blossoms Amid Amens: Ling Jiou Mountain Monastics Attend Memorial Service for the Late Pope Francis
A light rain fell over the church spire on Minsheng West Road in Taipei on April 25, as sacred strains of Hallelujah rose inside the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. A solemn and moving memorial service quietly unfolded — not only as a Catholic farewell to the late Pope Francis, but also as a gathering of interfaith representatives from the Ling Jiou Mountain Buddhist Society, The Lord of Universe Church, I-Kuan Tao, and more united in a shared tribute to love and compassion.
Compassion Knows No Boundaries: A Shared Understanding and Resonance Across Faiths
Compassion transcends religion, and great love knows no borders. Representing Dharma Master Hsin Tao, Founding Abbot of Ling Jiou Mountain, Venerable Xian Yue led a group of monastics and lay practitioners in attending the Octave of Easter and Memorial Service for the Late Pope Francis. They sang hymns, joined in the Amens, and exchanged blessings with Catholic congregants—embodying a spirit of interfaith friendship and boundless compassion across religious traditions.
In his remarks, Chargé d'Affaires a.i. Rev. Monsignor Stefano Mazzotti of the Apostolic Nunciature to the Republic of China, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the various religious representatives for attending the Memorial Mass for the late Pope Francis. He emphasized that through respectful dialogue, mutual understanding can flourish—revealing the true strength of religion in fostering peace.
LJM’s Spiritual Ecology Resonates with the Late Pope’s Commitment to Earth Sustainability
Throughout his life, the late Pope took numerous actions to care for the most marginalized groups in society. He prayed for children with cancer, kissed the foreheads of leprosy patients, visited impoverished neighborhoods, and raised his voice for the Earth at the Global Climate Summit. In his encyclical Laudato Si', he called for environmental protection and ecological conservation, leaving behind a legacy of action rather than just doctrinal words.
This sense of responsibility and care for nature and humanity’s future aligns with Dharma Master Hsin Tao's concept of spiritual ecology. The two shared a common vision for ecological preservation, having met previously at the Vatican. On April 21, Dharma Master Hsin Tao expressed his deep sorrow upon hearing of the Pope’s passing through a post on Facebook. He reflected on the Pope's visionary insight into ecological issues, his concern for global disasters, his compassion for the poor and marginalized, and his lifelong selfless love for humanity. Master Hsin Tao felt profound sadness at the saintly figure's departure, stating that the Pope's complete compassion has established a model for future generations to follow. Going forward, it is for us to inherit this spirit of love and work for the betterment of the world.
In memory of the late Pope, LJM vows to pass on his sacred legacy to future generations
After the memorial mass, Venerable Xian Yue gave an interview to the media, stating that Ling Jiou Mountain (LJM) and its Museum of World Religions (MWR) have long been dedicated to interfaith exchange and cooperation. Dharma Master Hsin Tao is on friendly terms with many Catholic priests and nuns. Upon hearing of the Pope's hospitalization, the Master immediately directed for prayer candles to be lit. During the Earth Day religious prayer event on April 22, he also invited interfaith representatives to offer silent prayers for the Pope. He emphasized that this good deed and sacred legacy must be passed on, regardless of religion or formality.
The memorial mass was not just a farewell to a great spiritual leader, but also a reminder of religion's role in contemporary society. The world needs more gentle power, and the true value of religion lies in healing and connecting, rather than in division or separation. The love of the Almighty and Buddha's compassion ultimately converge on the purest light of humanity.
Compassion Knows No Boundaries: A Shared Understanding and Resonance Across Faiths
Compassion transcends religion, and great love knows no borders. Representing Dharma Master Hsin Tao, Founding Abbot of Ling Jiou Mountain, Venerable Xian Yue led a group of monastics and lay practitioners in attending the Octave of Easter and Memorial Service for the Late Pope Francis. They sang hymns, joined in the Amens, and exchanged blessings with Catholic congregants—embodying a spirit of interfaith friendship and boundless compassion across religious traditions.
In his remarks, Chargé d'Affaires a.i. Rev. Monsignor Stefano Mazzotti of the Apostolic Nunciature to the Republic of China, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the various religious representatives for attending the Memorial Mass for the late Pope Francis. He emphasized that through respectful dialogue, mutual understanding can flourish—revealing the true strength of religion in fostering peace.
LJM’s Spiritual Ecology Resonates with the Late Pope’s Commitment to Earth Sustainability
Throughout his life, the late Pope took numerous actions to care for the most marginalized groups in society. He prayed for children with cancer, kissed the foreheads of leprosy patients, visited impoverished neighborhoods, and raised his voice for the Earth at the Global Climate Summit. In his encyclical Laudato Si', he called for environmental protection and ecological conservation, leaving behind a legacy of action rather than just doctrinal words.
This sense of responsibility and care for nature and humanity’s future aligns with Dharma Master Hsin Tao's concept of spiritual ecology. The two shared a common vision for ecological preservation, having met previously at the Vatican. On April 21, Dharma Master Hsin Tao expressed his deep sorrow upon hearing of the Pope’s passing through a post on Facebook. He reflected on the Pope's visionary insight into ecological issues, his concern for global disasters, his compassion for the poor and marginalized, and his lifelong selfless love for humanity. Master Hsin Tao felt profound sadness at the saintly figure's departure, stating that the Pope's complete compassion has established a model for future generations to follow. Going forward, it is for us to inherit this spirit of love and work for the betterment of the world.
In memory of the late Pope, LJM vows to pass on his sacred legacy to future generations
After the memorial mass, Venerable Xian Yue gave an interview to the media, stating that Ling Jiou Mountain (LJM) and its Museum of World Religions (MWR) have long been dedicated to interfaith exchange and cooperation. Dharma Master Hsin Tao is on friendly terms with many Catholic priests and nuns. Upon hearing of the Pope's hospitalization, the Master immediately directed for prayer candles to be lit. During the Earth Day religious prayer event on April 22, he also invited interfaith representatives to offer silent prayers for the Pope. He emphasized that this good deed and sacred legacy must be passed on, regardless of religion or formality.
The memorial mass was not just a farewell to a great spiritual leader, but also a reminder of religion's role in contemporary society. The world needs more gentle power, and the true value of religion lies in healing and connecting, rather than in division or separation. The love of the Almighty and Buddha's compassion ultimately converge on the purest light of humanity.