Interfaith Dialogue and Exchange: MWR Becomes a Platform for Harmonious Co-Progression
A major convergence of religious strengths! On December 19, the Ministry of the Interior (MOI) and the Museum of World Religions (MWR) co-organized an event titled "On-Site for Diversified Religious Dialogue: A Visit to MWR for Harmonious Co-Progression." The program brought together representatives from religious organizations across Taiwan and officials from local government religious affairs departments for in-person interactions. Through on-site tours and experiential activities, the event symbolized the government and religious sectors joining hands—starting from mutual understanding and moving toward dialogue and cooperation—marking a significant milestone in religious exchange.
The program commenced in the morning with opening remarks from Lin Chen-lu, Director-General of the Department of Religious and Ceremonial Affairs of the Ministry of the Interior, and Ven. Master Xian Yue, CEO of the MWR Development Foundation, setting the tone for the day's exchange as "Respecting Differences and Working Together for Mutual Benefit." Ven. Master Xian Yue stated that in Taiwan, where diverse religions coexist, the MWR serves as an important platform for religious dialogue through its "visible, accessible, and tangible" approach. She emphasized that the museum does not promote a single faith; rather, from a neutral standpoint, it presents how religion accompanies humanity through life and death, festivals, and the practice of faith through immersive spaces and displays of life experiences.
Ven. Master Xian Yue emphasized that, aligned with the concepts of "Love and Peace" and "Spiritual Ecology" advocated by Grand Master Hsin Tao—the founder of the MWR and the founding abbot of Ling Jiou Mountain (LJM)—differences can serve as the starting point for mutual understanding. Through observation, guided tours, and interfaith exchanges, it is hoped that the collective strength of religion, government, and society could be unified to jointly illuminate the light of peace for Taiwan and the world.
Following the opening remarks characterized by inclusiveness and vitality, the thematic session featured presentations by the MWR’s operations and curatorial teams. They explored the museum’s achievements in international religious exchange and its institutional positioning. By transforming the worldviews, ritual languages, and core values of diverse religions into curatorial narratives that resonate with the general public and the younger generation, the team demonstrated the MWR’s dual impact: promoting peace dialogue internationally and deepening life education domestically. This also offered religious organizations a new perspective on how religious education can reach beyond religious circles and engage with society at large.
Ven. Master Bao Yi, Director of the CEO’s Office of the MWR Development Foundation, shared that the museum’s influence transcends geographical boundaries. This year, the MWR participated in the landmark 60th-anniversary celebration of interreligious dialogue at the Vatican, where the delegation was received in person by Pope Leo XIV. This high-level encounter demonstrated Taiwan's pivotal soft power in international peace affairs. Furthermore, through Grand Master Hsin Tao’s vision of "Spiritual Ecology," the MWR has showcased the steadfast commitment of the religious community to global peace and ecological harmony.
Ma Yu-Chuan, Director of the MWR, greeted the interfaith participants with a traditional Muslim salutation. She shared an emotional reflection on how, as a Muslim herself, being appointed by Grand Master Hsin Tao to lead the museum serves as a powerful testament to his magnanimity in transcending religious boundaries. She generously shared the marketing strategies behind the museum's recent successes, including the Annual Special Exhibitions, the "The exhibition series of Artsy Window" series, children's exhibitions, the "Shopkeeper’s Lecture Hall," and the "Pickup the Light Academy." These initiatives have not only generated significant visitor interest but have also sparked meaningful discussions on faith among the younger generation. She invited everyone to bring family and friends to this spiritual sanctuary to rediscover the power of life amidst the shimmering light of all things.
The afternoon session featured break-out guided tours, allowing participants to explore the exhibition areas and appreciate each other's religious landscapes through the lens of "Seeing and Being Seen." From existential questions about the creation of the universe to various religions' interpretations of life, spiritual practice, and "Ultimate Concern," the exhibition transformed into a space where mutual understanding was achieved without the need for debate. The subsequent hands-on experiential activities elevated religious engagement beyond mere intellectual knowledge, returning to bodily experience and inner feelings, thereby deepening interfaith empathy and respect.
"The program incorporated practical updates on certified disaster responders, the 'Provisional Stipulations for Handling Real Estate by Religious Entities,' registrations for travel to Mainland China, and anti-fraud awareness. By naturally weaving these policy briefings into the dialogue, the event fostered a deeper sense of mutual understanding and trust between religious organizations and government departments. Furthermore, by facilitating dialogue among diverse religions within the same space, it once again conveyed to the world that diversity is not a starting point for division, but rather the very foundation for harmonious co-progression."
The program commenced in the morning with opening remarks from Lin Chen-lu, Director-General of the Department of Religious and Ceremonial Affairs of the Ministry of the Interior, and Ven. Master Xian Yue, CEO of the MWR Development Foundation, setting the tone for the day's exchange as "Respecting Differences and Working Together for Mutual Benefit." Ven. Master Xian Yue stated that in Taiwan, where diverse religions coexist, the MWR serves as an important platform for religious dialogue through its "visible, accessible, and tangible" approach. She emphasized that the museum does not promote a single faith; rather, from a neutral standpoint, it presents how religion accompanies humanity through life and death, festivals, and the practice of faith through immersive spaces and displays of life experiences.
Ven. Master Xian Yue emphasized that, aligned with the concepts of "Love and Peace" and "Spiritual Ecology" advocated by Grand Master Hsin Tao—the founder of the MWR and the founding abbot of Ling Jiou Mountain (LJM)—differences can serve as the starting point for mutual understanding. Through observation, guided tours, and interfaith exchanges, it is hoped that the collective strength of religion, government, and society could be unified to jointly illuminate the light of peace for Taiwan and the world.
Following the opening remarks characterized by inclusiveness and vitality, the thematic session featured presentations by the MWR’s operations and curatorial teams. They explored the museum’s achievements in international religious exchange and its institutional positioning. By transforming the worldviews, ritual languages, and core values of diverse religions into curatorial narratives that resonate with the general public and the younger generation, the team demonstrated the MWR’s dual impact: promoting peace dialogue internationally and deepening life education domestically. This also offered religious organizations a new perspective on how religious education can reach beyond religious circles and engage with society at large.
Ven. Master Bao Yi, Director of the CEO’s Office of the MWR Development Foundation, shared that the museum’s influence transcends geographical boundaries. This year, the MWR participated in the landmark 60th-anniversary celebration of interreligious dialogue at the Vatican, where the delegation was received in person by Pope Leo XIV. This high-level encounter demonstrated Taiwan's pivotal soft power in international peace affairs. Furthermore, through Grand Master Hsin Tao’s vision of "Spiritual Ecology," the MWR has showcased the steadfast commitment of the religious community to global peace and ecological harmony.
Ma Yu-Chuan, Director of the MWR, greeted the interfaith participants with a traditional Muslim salutation. She shared an emotional reflection on how, as a Muslim herself, being appointed by Grand Master Hsin Tao to lead the museum serves as a powerful testament to his magnanimity in transcending religious boundaries. She generously shared the marketing strategies behind the museum's recent successes, including the Annual Special Exhibitions, the "The exhibition series of Artsy Window" series, children's exhibitions, the "Shopkeeper’s Lecture Hall," and the "Pickup the Light Academy." These initiatives have not only generated significant visitor interest but have also sparked meaningful discussions on faith among the younger generation. She invited everyone to bring family and friends to this spiritual sanctuary to rediscover the power of life amidst the shimmering light of all things.
The afternoon session featured break-out guided tours, allowing participants to explore the exhibition areas and appreciate each other's religious landscapes through the lens of "Seeing and Being Seen." From existential questions about the creation of the universe to various religions' interpretations of life, spiritual practice, and "Ultimate Concern," the exhibition transformed into a space where mutual understanding was achieved without the need for debate. The subsequent hands-on experiential activities elevated religious engagement beyond mere intellectual knowledge, returning to bodily experience and inner feelings, thereby deepening interfaith empathy and respect.
"The program incorporated practical updates on certified disaster responders, the 'Provisional Stipulations for Handling Real Estate by Religious Entities,' registrations for travel to Mainland China, and anti-fraud awareness. By naturally weaving these policy briefings into the dialogue, the event fostered a deeper sense of mutual understanding and trust between religious organizations and government departments. Furthermore, by facilitating dialogue among diverse religions within the same space, it once again conveyed to the world that diversity is not a starting point for division, but rather the very foundation for harmonious co-progression."