When Buddha Meets the Gods

http://www.fgsbmc.org.tw/en/2015god/event.html

The Reunion of Religious Associations is held on the 25th December every year. This year, 50,000 representatives of Buddhism, Taoism, Catholicism, and Confucianism from home and abroad join in this event to celebrate religious harmony and world peace. This event has started a new chapter in the history of religion, and highlights the interaction between various religions.

The number of representatives hit a new high this year with believers of various faiths from Taiwan, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Philippines, Malaysia, and Brazil participating in the event. This year, the event focuses on the aspects of localization, internationalization and religious pluralism. Local opera troupes were invited to join in the event, including the Ming Hwa Yuan Opera Troupe which presented"Grand Immortal of Ponlai," and the Contemporary Legend Theatre which presented "Nezha" at the Bodhi Wisdom Concourse. Other eye-catching performances include Sung-Jiang Formation, Lantern Dance, Brazilian Samba Dance, and Filipino Dance by Santo Nino de Cebu.

Choirs of various organizations including St. Joseph Church, Pumen Secondary School, and Santo Nino de Cebu, showed their support for mutual respect through singing hymms including "Silent Night" and "Ode to the Buddha." Venerable Master Hsing Yun expresses that the objective of this reunion is to achieve mutual tolerance, respect, and world peace. If all the religions respect and help each other, then world peace can be achieved.

Two World Records Created

On December 25, 2016, ten thousands of believers from 685 shrines, temples and churches brought with them 2,188 statues of deities to participate in the 2016 When Buddha Meets the Gods (Reunion of Religious Associations) event at the Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum. Two world records were created simultaneously, reaching a new milestone for religious cooperation, respect, and tolerance.

The participants from countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Taiwan, and Mainland China represented Buddhism, Daoism, Confucianism, Yiguandao, Catholicism, Christianity, and Islam. The event features statues of Matsu and Guan Yu (a famous Chinese historical general and a Buddhist protector) from the Taiwan and Mainland China, as well as the Child Jesus, Virgin Mary, and Saint Joseph from the Philippines.

At dawn, one could hear the echoes of the drum and bell, and the sound of firecrackers. Following the Yong Chun Lion Dance Team, participants began to enter along the Great Path to Buddhahood to the Main Hall. After venerating the Big Buddha in their own traditions, Venerables of Fo Guang Shan hang golden medals around the necks of the deity statues.

During the prayer ceremony, participants joined their palms as they dedicate merits to all the sentient being for a safe and peaceful world. As Wu Hua-Jiang, the adjudicator of World Record Association declared two new world records, the crowd roared with applause as they witnessed this historical moment.

Most Venerable Hsin Bao, Abbot of Fo Guang Shan Monastery, expressed that this was a “reunion of the human spirit” since peace, compassion, tolerance and equality are the common pursuit of the human race. With the same ideal, people with different faiths, languages and cultural backgrounds are able to sit down and communicate with one another; this is what makes this event a feat.