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VOLUME VIII, Number 2
July- December 2018 
Click on the photo to enlarge it
THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL DIALOGUE FOR BUDDHIST AND CHRISTIAN NUNS The largest Buddhist monastery in Taiwan was the site of the First International Dialogue for Buddhist and Christian Nuns, which took place October 14-19, 2018. The monastery, located near the southern Taiwanese city of Kaohsiung, is the headquarters of Fo Guang Shan (佛光山 Buddha Light Mountain), an international Chinese Buddhist monastic order founded in 1967 byVenerable Master Hsing Yun, who is now 92 years old, to promote Humanistic Buddhism, an expression of Buddhism that gives emphasis to caring for others and society.
Given that the theme of this dialogue for Buddhist and Christian nuns was “Active Contemplation and Contemplation in Action,” Fo Guang Shan was well positioned to be the setting for this conference. In their presentations, the current Head Abbot, the Venerable Hsin Bao, and several members of the monastic community emphasized Fo Guang Shan’s cultural, educational, and social ministries. Some participants in the conference could have gotten the impression that little attention is given to what Catholics refer to as the contemplative life. However, the monastic community’s morning chanting, evening service, times of meditation, and formal monastic dining, all of which the Christian participants attended, plus the overall ambience of recollection and tranquility in this setting made it evident that “contemplation” is what holds everything together and gives such a luminous quality to the many forms of service rendered by these bhikkhus (monks) and bhikkhunis (nuns).
The monastic headquarters of Fo Guang Shan impresses the visitor not only by its size, but by its vigor. The monastic community numbers about 400 nuns and 100 monks. Many of them are in their initial period of monastic formation. In addition to residential and university buildings, the large complex includes a conference center, a publishing house, offices, workshops, and housing for pilgrims. Especially impressive is the large monastic dining hall, which seats 2000 and which on major Buddhist festivals is filled to overflowing with pilgrims who join with the bhikkhus and bhikkhunis for meals that are as much solemn ritual as refection. Situated immediately adjacent to the main monastery and covering more than 50 acres is the Buddha Museum. Since its opening on 25 December 2011, it has attracted more than twelve million visitors. Over the following years, Christmas Day at the Museum has become the occasion of a major interreligious event known as the Reunion of Religious Associations.
This first international Buddhist-Christian dialogue for nuns was organized by the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue in collaboration with Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Monastery, Monastic Interreligious Dialogue, the Association of Major Religious Superiors of Women in Taiwan, and Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages. Invaluable assistance in organizing and conducting the conference was provided by Msgr. Slađan Ćosić, Chargé d'Affaires at the Apostolic Nunciature in Taipei, who was present for the entire meeting,
The conference brought together some 70 Buddhist and Christian women religious to reflect on the interplay of contemplation and action in monastic/religious life. The largest number of Buddhist bhikkhunis and Catholic nuns and sisters came from Taiwan, the rest from ten other Asian countries. Representing the World Council of Churches was Dr Simone Sinn, who combines teaching ecumenical theology at the Bossey Ecumenical Institute with programme executive responsibility of WCC’s Faith and Order Commission.
Representing DIM·MID and Catholic monasticism were
The program of the conference consisted of formal presentations on the history, development, and present-day situation of religious/monastic life for Buddhist and Christian women; the place and purpose of contemplation (right mindfulness/right conduct) in Buddhism and Christianity; and the many ways religious/monastic women in these two traditions have served and can continue to serve humanity. There was also ample time for small group discussions and for experiencing different spiritual/contemplative practices of the Buddhist and Catholic traditions—attendance at Buddhist services, “monastic dining” at breakfast, daily Mass with Vespers, and sessions devoted to lectio divina, Zen meditation, and Vipassana meditation. There were also guided visits to Fo Guang Shan’s Female Buddhist College and to the Buddha Museum.
Contributing greatly to the success of the symposium was the exceedingly generous and gracious hospitality of Fo Guang Shan, expertly arranged by Ven. You Lu and the International Affairs Team, the attentiveness and efficiency of local Buddhist and Catholic volunteers, the excellent facilities at the conference hall, and the sumptuous, endlessly varied, and exquisitely presented dishes of Chinese cuisine that were served at noonday and evening.
The following members of the monastic delegation offered personal reflections on their experience of this historic gathering and what they learned from dialogue with their Buddhist sisters. Many of these reflections indicate the tenor and content of the discussion groups that were a major component of the program. They also reveal why so many of the participants expressed an eagerness to share their experience when they returned home and a desire to continue this dialogue.
An Experience of Profound Resonance Rafael Bartlett
An Unexpected Dimension of Buddhism Dorothy Stoner
Bridges of Solidarity Christian Morris
Buddhist and Christian Nuns Hold Dialogue Judith Sutera Pursuing Unity through Diversity HyoJu Kim
Companions on the Journey Bernardo Ahn
Encountering the New Face of God Mary Nathanael Pesigan
Friends Forever, Sisters Forever Escolástica Ottoni de Mattos
Meeting Precious Companions Michael Sujin Yoo
Mutual Acceptance and Respect Lydia Villegas
Recognizing in the Other a Visit of God Alice Reuter
Similar Joys and Challenges Haruko Morikawa
United in Silence, Devotion, and Peace Manuela Scheiba
A “Final Statement” for the press and for public distribution was prepared by the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue. A recent bulletin of the Buddha Museum included a write-up of the visit to the Buddha Museum that was part of the program.
Photos of the Fo Guang Shan monastic center and of activities and events during the conference can also be viewed on this website.
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