Aware of the Planetary Crisis, Yet Failing to Act? International Forum on Spiritual Ecology Seeks Cross-Disciplinary Consensus
Even as alarm bells over global warming sound repeatedly and carbon-reduction technologies advance, why does humanity still struggle to change? Does the root cause lie in technology, systemic institutions, or the human heart? On November 7 and 8, the Preparatory Office of the University for Life and Peace (ULP) and the Museum of World Religions (MWR) hosted the 2026 International Forum on Spiritual Ecology at the Shan Fa Building of Sheng Shan Sanctuary in New Taipei City. Bringing together 11 interfaith and cross-disciplinary speakers spanning religious wisdom, Indigenous cultures, industrial economics, and global governance, the forum sought to forge an actionable consensus in response to the ecological crisis.
Coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the Museum of World Religions, the forum centered on the overarching theme: "From Sacred Wisdom to Lived Systems and Collective Action," aiming to translate reverence for life into tangible practice and create momentum toward a Global Spiritual Ecology Alliance.
The Planetary Crisis Is a Crisis of the Heart: Moving from Peace to Sustainability
" Without peace in the mind, there can be no true ecological sustainability." In his opening address, Grand Master Hsin Tao, Founding Abbot of Ling Jiou Mountain (LJM), noted that 25 years ago, he founded the Museum of World Religions on the principles of respect, tolerance, and universal love to build bridges of interfaith dialogue. Today, as we confront profound ecological imbalance, he further advocates for "spiritual ecology." He believes that external ecological crises reflect an inner crisis of the human heart; while technology and policy are vital, genuine transformation requires fundamentally reshaping human values and our underlying attitudes toward life.
Delivering a keynote titled "Spiritual Ecology: The Key to the Future," Michael von Brück, Honorary Professor.em of Religious Studies at the University of Munich, examined the growing divide between artificial intelligence and human wisdom, exploring transitional pathways across ecological responsibility, social justice, education, and interfaith practice.
Interfaith Dialogue Across Four Traditions: Discovering a Common Language to Safeguard the Earth
Following a tour of LJM FuCheng, Day 1 of the forum opened with a focus on the heritage of sacred traditions. Dr. Zhou Xia, a Buddhist scholar and monk residing in Japan, explored "Spirituality and Ecology from the Perspective of Eastern Civilization," drawing on the history of Buddhist thought and Grand Master Hsin Tao's Four-Stage Buddhist Education to envision how Buddhist wisdom can guide individuals from self-transformation to world transformation. Father Sławomir Klein, General Delegate for Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue for OFM Conv., drew upon the life, sacred art, and spiritual legacy of St. Francis of Assisi from eight centuries ago, reminding the audience that safeguarding nature calls us not merely to protect the environment, but to love all living beings.
Dr. Fachruddin Mangunjaya, Dean of the Faculty of Biology and Agriculture at Universitas Nasional in Indonesia, illuminated humanity's duty to steward the Earth through the lens of the Quran and Islamic environmental ethics. Bhai Sahib Mohinder Singh Ahluwalia, Chairman of Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha (GNNSJ), shared practical insights into peacebuilding and community service rooted in Sikh teachings: "Air is the Guru, Water the Father, and Earth the Great Mother." The dialogue focused on how diverse faith traditions can bridge differences and translate reverence for life into shared ecological action.
Industrial Symbiosis Meets Orchid Island (Lanyu) Wisdom: Moving from Philosophy to Practice
Day 2 shifted toward industry, the economy, and global governance. Professor Marian Chertow of Yale University shared the proven model of "industrial symbiosis" through Denmark's renowned Kalundborg Eco-Industrial Park, illustrating how enterprises share resources and by-products for mutual benefit and circular efficiency. Si Manpang, Executive Director of the Lan An Cultural and Educational Foundation, shared the Tao people's philosophy of living in symbiosis with nature through traditional architecture, fishing traditions, weather patterns, ocean currents, and land stewardship.
Dr. Iyad Abumoghli, Founder of Faith for Earth and former Director at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), examined global challenges through the lens of moral ethics and the crisis of values, exploring how faith-based values can anchor global environmental governance. Graeme Maxton, author and former Secretary-General of the Club of Rome, addressed cultural barriers to ecological transformation in his presentation, "Why We Know So Much—and Do So Little?" He noted that climate change has largely surpassed the point of simple reversal, urging a critical shift from prevention alone to proactive disaster preparedness—reinforcing physical infrastructure alongside spiritual and community support networks. Maxton further called for a fundamental reconsideration of conventional economic growth models, suggesting that well-positioned regions in Asia or Taiwan could lead societal transformation.
From International Dialogue to Tangible Collaboration: MWR at 25 Opens a New Chapter
Venerable Xian Yue, Executive Director of the Museum of World Religions Development Foundation, examined how the University for Life and Peace (ULP) can weave spiritual ecology into future education. Father Paulin Batairwa Kubuya, S.X., Under-Secretary of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue (Vatican), joined the panel discussion alongside Matthew Nemerson, Budderfly VP of Strategic Partnerships, to explore concrete avenues for cross-sector collaboration.
In his concluding remarks, Gabor Karsai, Rector of Dharma Gate Buddhist College in Hungary, observed that the cross-disciplinary symposium demonstrated the profound potential of spiritual wisdom in addressing the global climate crisis. He emphasized that genuine transformation must begin with inner awakening, urging that reverence and compassion for all living beings translate into conscious daily choices, community engagement, and systemic policy action.
On November 9, the series culminated in the Museum of World Religions' 25th Anniversary Celebration, featuring the unveiling of the large-scale public art installation "LIGHT A LIFE × LIVE A LIGHT" by artist Yang Shih-yi. The gathering also explored pathways to establish a Global Spiritual Ecology Alliance, setting the stage for interfaith and cross-disciplinary dialogue to evolve into sustained collaboration and collective action.
Coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the Museum of World Religions, the forum centered on the overarching theme: "From Sacred Wisdom to Lived Systems and Collective Action," aiming to translate reverence for life into tangible practice and create momentum toward a Global Spiritual Ecology Alliance.
The Planetary Crisis Is a Crisis of the Heart: Moving from Peace to Sustainability
" Without peace in the mind, there can be no true ecological sustainability." In his opening address, Grand Master Hsin Tao, Founding Abbot of Ling Jiou Mountain (LJM), noted that 25 years ago, he founded the Museum of World Religions on the principles of respect, tolerance, and universal love to build bridges of interfaith dialogue. Today, as we confront profound ecological imbalance, he further advocates for "spiritual ecology." He believes that external ecological crises reflect an inner crisis of the human heart; while technology and policy are vital, genuine transformation requires fundamentally reshaping human values and our underlying attitudes toward life.
Delivering a keynote titled "Spiritual Ecology: The Key to the Future," Michael von Brück, Honorary Professor.em of Religious Studies at the University of Munich, examined the growing divide between artificial intelligence and human wisdom, exploring transitional pathways across ecological responsibility, social justice, education, and interfaith practice.
Interfaith Dialogue Across Four Traditions: Discovering a Common Language to Safeguard the Earth
Following a tour of LJM FuCheng, Day 1 of the forum opened with a focus on the heritage of sacred traditions. Dr. Zhou Xia, a Buddhist scholar and monk residing in Japan, explored "Spirituality and Ecology from the Perspective of Eastern Civilization," drawing on the history of Buddhist thought and Grand Master Hsin Tao's Four-Stage Buddhist Education to envision how Buddhist wisdom can guide individuals from self-transformation to world transformation. Father Sławomir Klein, General Delegate for Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue for OFM Conv., drew upon the life, sacred art, and spiritual legacy of St. Francis of Assisi from eight centuries ago, reminding the audience that safeguarding nature calls us not merely to protect the environment, but to love all living beings.
Dr. Fachruddin Mangunjaya, Dean of the Faculty of Biology and Agriculture at Universitas Nasional in Indonesia, illuminated humanity's duty to steward the Earth through the lens of the Quran and Islamic environmental ethics. Bhai Sahib Mohinder Singh Ahluwalia, Chairman of Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha (GNNSJ), shared practical insights into peacebuilding and community service rooted in Sikh teachings: "Air is the Guru, Water the Father, and Earth the Great Mother." The dialogue focused on how diverse faith traditions can bridge differences and translate reverence for life into shared ecological action.
Industrial Symbiosis Meets Orchid Island (Lanyu) Wisdom: Moving from Philosophy to Practice
Day 2 shifted toward industry, the economy, and global governance. Professor Marian Chertow of Yale University shared the proven model of "industrial symbiosis" through Denmark's renowned Kalundborg Eco-Industrial Park, illustrating how enterprises share resources and by-products for mutual benefit and circular efficiency. Si Manpang, Executive Director of the Lan An Cultural and Educational Foundation, shared the Tao people's philosophy of living in symbiosis with nature through traditional architecture, fishing traditions, weather patterns, ocean currents, and land stewardship.
Dr. Iyad Abumoghli, Founder of Faith for Earth and former Director at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), examined global challenges through the lens of moral ethics and the crisis of values, exploring how faith-based values can anchor global environmental governance. Graeme Maxton, author and former Secretary-General of the Club of Rome, addressed cultural barriers to ecological transformation in his presentation, "Why We Know So Much—and Do So Little?" He noted that climate change has largely surpassed the point of simple reversal, urging a critical shift from prevention alone to proactive disaster preparedness—reinforcing physical infrastructure alongside spiritual and community support networks. Maxton further called for a fundamental reconsideration of conventional economic growth models, suggesting that well-positioned regions in Asia or Taiwan could lead societal transformation.
From International Dialogue to Tangible Collaboration: MWR at 25 Opens a New Chapter
Venerable Xian Yue, Executive Director of the Museum of World Religions Development Foundation, examined how the University for Life and Peace (ULP) can weave spiritual ecology into future education. Father Paulin Batairwa Kubuya, S.X., Under-Secretary of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue (Vatican), joined the panel discussion alongside Matthew Nemerson, Budderfly VP of Strategic Partnerships, to explore concrete avenues for cross-sector collaboration.
In his concluding remarks, Gabor Karsai, Rector of Dharma Gate Buddhist College in Hungary, observed that the cross-disciplinary symposium demonstrated the profound potential of spiritual wisdom in addressing the global climate crisis. He emphasized that genuine transformation must begin with inner awakening, urging that reverence and compassion for all living beings translate into conscious daily choices, community engagement, and systemic policy action.
On November 9, the series culminated in the Museum of World Religions' 25th Anniversary Celebration, featuring the unveiling of the large-scale public art installation "LIGHT A LIFE × LIVE A LIGHT" by artist Yang Shih-yi. The gathering also explored pathways to establish a Global Spiritual Ecology Alliance, setting the stage for interfaith and cross-disciplinary dialogue to evolve into sustained collaboration and collective action.