Faith Knows No Boundaries
-- A Report on TCRP's First “ Religion & Peace Living Camp ”

On September 1- 4, 1995, fifty believers of different religions met at the Ching-hsin Catholic Retreat Center in Changhua, Taiwan to learn from each other and affirm their common commitment to peace. Three religions were represented at this gathering: Christianity, Buddhism, and the Lord of Universe Church (T'ienti Chiao). By sponsoring this activity, the Taiwan Conference on Religion and Peace (TCRP) provided a forum to share what believers have found to sustain themselves on the journey of working with others, of all faiths, toward peace. This camp was a chance to forge ties that TCRP members can draw on as the Conference's activities expand. It was also a successful step toward cooperation among TCRP and the camp's co-sponsors: the Buddhist Youth Association, Kuang-yeh Magazine (a Christian publication), the Commission for Interreligious and Ecumenical Cooperation of the R.O.C. Catholic Bishop's Conference, and the Lord of Universe Church.

Expanding Horizons

Each of the participating religions gave two presentations: 1) a lecture on teachings of that religion which inspire commitment toward peace; and 2) an intimate talk or shared meditation, giving a taste of what is experienced by believers in that religion. Each religion held services open to all; at mealtimes they took turns offering thanks according to their beliefs.

The Buddhist viewpoint was presented by Dharma Master Tsung-lin, lecturer at Yuan-kuang Buddhist College and Research Institute in Chungli, who voiced ideals of “the Pure Land in the human world” and “all-embracing compassion.” She gave examples of devotedness to peace on the part of Buddhist rulers. She presented Buddhist meditation as a means of awakening the mind to “karmic origination” of obstacles, and she gave practical guidelines for meditation.

The Protestant view was given by Rev. Huang Po-ho, PhD from Southeast Asia Graduate School of Theology and Professor at Tainan Theological College and Seminary. Rev. Huang analyzed the events of Creation and Fall to explain how relations among God, man, and nature were broken by human beings, who set up their own will as a moral standard, thus turning society toward. disorder and darkness. These relations have been reestablished by the self-emptying of Jesus Christ. He spoke of the special difficulties faced by Taiwanese Christians whose families believe in folk religion. With mutual acceptance, they learn to see value in each others' choices.

A Catholic view was voiced by Father Liu Chia-cheng, PhD in East Asian Studies from Berkeley and Director of the Socio-Cultural Research Center at Fujen University. Father Liu stressed the humbling lessons of history. How often Christians have fallen short of the universal ideals they uphold! Christianity is a faith that calls us to serve others and promote justice. But do we really care enough about persons who cannot compete, who are relegated to the margins of society? More than ever, Christian belief needs to be joined to concern for justice.

The Christian experience was presented jointly by Father Liu, Pastor Huang and Fr. Poulet-Mathis, together with the group of Christian participants. These three gentlemen led participants on a mountain walk to view fourteen mosaics depicting Christ‘s Passion. At each station, they spoke of Christ's suffering and love; at the same time, they conveyed feeling for those who suffer in our own era.

The Lord of Universe Church is a new religion which synthesizes many elements from Chinese tradition. Its founder Lee Yu-chieh spent eight years in seclusion on Hua Mountain, a center of Taoist practice. After coming to Taiwan, Mr. Lee operated the Independence Evening Post and was an early advocate of press freedom. Our speaker Chu K'o-yi, a member of the Church and professor at Chung-hsing University, spoke on the basis for peace as taught in the tradition of Chinese moral philosophy. Chinese philosophy has long posited that certain moral truths are inherent in human nature, and we cannot reach self-realization unless we strive to live by these truths.

The experential side of the Lord of Universe Church was presented by Lu Hsien-lung, lecturer at the Church's T'ienjen Institute. Mr. Lu gave a moving personal account of how prayer has opened his heart and given him strength to lead an active, caring life.

Interfaith Paths to Action

Each of the above presentations was followed by an equally revealing question and answer session. Still more revealing were the small groups that met each evening to discuss the lectures, and to consider what interfaith cooperation can do for the cause of peace in Taiwan. Results of these group discussions were reported to the whole assembly. Some of the points considered were as follows: 1) If a social program works for one religion, other religions can observe and learn to apply it. 2) Religions can pool resources to foster change. For instance, they can send members to work together on neighborhood help projects. 3) Religions can set a good example for peaceful coexistence by sponsoring joint activities. 4) At present, Taiwan is facing tense relations with Mainland China. During September, all religions can help by calling on their members to pray for peace. One of the functions of interfaith dialogue is to call for synergistic actions, both spiritual and social, in times of trouble.

Outlook

On the last day, a closing address was given by TCRP secretary-general Liang Kuang-pi. He likened the conceptual symbols of particular religions to computer software. In an era of accelerated communication, we find the need for a common “language,” and we need to make provisions for “compatibility” among our separate languages.
Camp Director Hsiao Hui-ying, of the Religious Counseling Center of Fujen University, stated her credo of service in everyday life and invited participants to sum up their experience. Most of these farewell remarks were admirable for how much feeling they expressed in so few words.

During this learning camp, there was an open sharing of thought among 11 Buddhists, 13 Catholics, 2 Protestants, 22 members of the Lord of Universe Church, and 2 unaffilated persons. The camp was fortunate to have the following distinguished persons present for the duration: 1)Father Albert Poulet-Mathis, chairman of the TCRP; 2)Lee Tse-chi, standing committee member of TCRP, Shu-chi-shih-che of the Lord of Universe Church, and an acting director at “China Economic News” affiliated with the United Daily Group; 3)Ch‘en Chien-ming, reporter for the Buddhist magazine Fo-tsu-hsin. Although Pastor Huang Po-ho and Father Liu Chia-cheng are busy educators, they too kindly stayed for the duration of the camp. As an example of active caring, participants were glad to meet with four volunteers from Pai-hao Monastery‘s program for disturbed adolescents.

Dharma Master Wu-hung, a TCRP board member and head of the Buddhist Youth Association, has shown interest in a similar but larger camp within the next year. Several board members share this wish, and would like to invite other religions next time. Given the success of this “test run,” the next time will certainly be even better!
---Denis Mair

A Guiding Light for Dialogue

No report on TCRP, and for that matter no account of interfaith cooperation in Taiwan, can begin without a profile of Father Albert Poulet-Mathis. Although Fr. Albert would prefer that the first TCRP newsletter report only on the organization, the editor feels that a look at Fr. Albert‘s life will aptly convey what TCRP stands for.

Fr. Albert was born in France and educated at the Jesuit School of Theology in Chantilly. He came to Taiwan in 1959 and first served as Catholic Chaplain at Tunghai University, where he found many chances to cooperate with Tunghai‘s Protestant pastor. In 1966 he returned to France to study Buddhist scriptures for two years at Paris University. This was the foundation that helped him win trust across denominational boundaries in Taiwan.

In 1968 he was sent back to Taiwan to serve as Chaplain at Fujen University, where he was given counseling duties over Buddhist as well as Catholic students. The Buddhist students welcomed him, but he felt he should do more for them, so he brought in Dharma Master Ch‘an-yun. This was the beginning of his strong friendship with Master Ch’an-yun.
While serving at Fujen Univ., Fr. Albert founded the student service organization Hsing-hsin-she. This club has a number of teams, each working on different projects. Fr. Albert led students on the front lines of social service, such as caring for old folks and patients at a leper hospital. Hsing-hsin-she set a pattern for Christian virtues in action, and similar clubs sprang up at other universities. Fr. Poulet-Mathis was in great demand as a speaker and advisor to many service clubs.

In 1978 Fr. Albert became secretary-general of the Interfaith Cooperation Committee of the Asian Bishops‘ Conference, and since 1981 he has served as consultant of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue. In these capacities he became closely linked with Archbishop Angelo Fernandes, a founder of WCRP. Fr. Albert is currently executive secretary of the interfaith cooperation committees of the Taiwan Bishops Conference and the East Asian Jesuit Conference. He is also chairman of TCRP. Without his involvement, TCRP could not have brought together its list of active, service-minded founders.

Introducing TCRP

Origins:
The World Conference on Religion and Peace has been an important organization for interfaith cooperation since its founding in 1969. It is action-oriented, and works to bring the combined strength of its members to bear on ending violent conflict. It endorses United Nations objectives such as disarmament, development, and ending hunger. Religions in Taiwan need to cooperate more than ever as they face challenges to peace domestically and in the East Asian region: Taiwan has been overdue to form a branch that can be active in the WCRP and ACRP.

In February 1993 Dr. Wong-Yong Kang, moderator of the Asian Conference on Religion and Peace (ACRP), and Mr. Shin‘ichi Noguchi, deputy secretary-general of ACRP, payed a visit to religious figures in Taiwan and suggested forming a Taiwan branch of the organization. In February 1994, members from several religions in Taiwan attended ACRP's East Asian Regional Meeting in Hong Kong, where they held friendly interchanges and strengthened their mutual ties.

In May 1994, the TCRP founders applied to the Ministry of the Interior for recognition as an interreligious organization. They held an inaugural meeting on September 17, 1994, and were formally recognized by the Ministry of the Interior on Oct. 25, 1994.

Mission of the Organization:
1. Identify problems which threaten peace and human well-being; propose far-ranging countermeasures; to the extent possible, put these into practice.
2. Increase understanding among religions and work to solve religious conflicts.
3. Pool the knowledge and talents of religious believers; give assistance to effective programs across denominational boundaries; promote the cause of peace through actions and affirmations of faith.
4. Show concern for the weak and disadvantaged, thus upholding the ideal of a symbiotic human community.

Summary of Meetings and Key Decisions:

TCRP Founders Meeting--June 22, 1994
‥ Selection of a Planning Committee
‥ Su Nan-chou selected as chair and convener. (Su Nan-chou is a construction engineer and runs Kuang-yeh Magazine. He also serves on the boards of many service groups, including the Council for Clean Elections and the League of Concern for the February 28 Incident.)
First Planning Meeting--June 22, 1994
‥ Expenses during the planning period will be advanced by the convener.
‥ Newspaper advertisement to attract prospective members.

Second Planning Meeting--July 20, 1994
‥ Preparation for Inaugural Meeting

Inaugural Meeting and First Members Assembly--Sept. 17, 1994
‥ Draft of Charter finalized.
‥ Yearly work plan and budget passed.
‥ 15 board members and 5 supervisory panel members elected, plus alternates.

First Board Meeting--Sept. 17, 1994 (ACRP officers Dr. Wong-yong Kang and Mr. Shin‘ichi Noguchi were present as guests).
‥ Fr. Albert Poulet-Mathis elected Chairman. Four standing committee members were elected:
(1)Fang Chih-jung (Director of the Research Institute of Religion, Fujen University); (2) Lee Tse-chi (see page 3); (3)Janet Lin (Chairman of Board of Taiwan Techtron Corp.; publicist for Pai-hao Monastery Foundation); and 4) Su Nan-chou(see note on the Founders Meeting). Also, Lee Ning-yuan was elected standing supervisor, and Liang Kuang-pi chosen as secretary-general.

Second Board Meeting--October 6, 1994
‥ TCRP given a fixed address at 153 Pei-hsin Rd, Sec. 2,/ Hsin-tien, Taipei County, using a room at the Lord of Universe Church offices.
‥ Work plan for the coming year: 1)Information resource center; 2)Regular social gatherings; 3)Publishing; 4)Interfaith Prayer Room for Peace.
‥ Three committees established: 1)Public relations; 2)Finance; 3)Activities.

Third Board Meeting--December 3, 1994
‥ The Board heard a report on the Sixth WCRP Conference in Italy from Fr. Alberrt, who had conferred there with six representatives of Mainland China's Conference on Religion and Peace, and was optimistic about their attitude toward TCRP.
‥ Resolved to publish Chinese version of Global Ethic, to be translated at Fujen Univ. School of Theology.
‥ Planned production of audio-visual
materials, including the video series--“Trees beside a Stream”--being produced jointly with the Catholic Kuang-ch‘i Center.

First Standing Committee Meeting--February 19, 1995:
‥ Planning for Interfaith Prayer Initiative
‥ Planning for a lecture series
‥ Seasonal interfaith visits, to alternate among 1)the Catholic Kuang-ch‘i Center; 2)Huai-en Church; 3)Buddhist Youth Association; and 4)Lei-li-a Retreat Center. (already underway)
‥ Planning for a study camp (see first article in this newsletter).
‥ Resolved to invite participation by representatives of other religions (ex. Islam and Yi-kuan-tao), and invite more Christian and Buddhist leaders to participate as advisors.

Meeting with Fr. Thomas Michel--March 10-13, 1995: Fr. Albert(chairman) and Lee Tse-chi(standing committeeman) met with Fr. Thomas, who heads the Interfaith Cooperation Committee of the Asian Bishops Conference. These three gentlemen discussed the local arrangements for the Asian Interfaith Conference to be held in Taiwan in April 1996. The prime site under consideration is Lei-i-a Retreat Center. This interfaith conference will be a worthwhile project for TCRP to work on in its own backyard.

Taiwan Conference on Religion and Peace

editor : Denis Mair
Address: #153 Pei-hsin Road, Sec. 2 Hsin-tien, Taipei County Taiwan, R.O.C.
Tel : 886- (02) 913-5079 fax : 886- (02) 914-4477