The Merit Times
October 30, 2025
The United Association of Humanistic Buddhism, Chunghua (UAOHBC), together with several overseas Head Abbots and Head Abbesses from Fo Guang Shan, visited the Vatican to participate in the meaningful 60th Anniversary Celebration of Nostra Aetate—the Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions—and the grand interreligious gathering that accompanied it. The delegation’s visit yielded fruitful outcomes, fully demonstrating the international influence of Humanistic Buddhism. The representatives also joined over 100,000 participants in the grand celebration at St. Peter’s Square and had a warm exchange with Pope Leo XIV, embodying the great vision of “bringing religion beyond temple walls, into society, and onto the world stage.”
Led by the UAOHBC Presidential Council, a delegation of eighty members traveled to the Vatican. During a solemn gift presentation ceremony, the Abbot of Fo Guang Shan, Most Venerable Hsin Bau, and the council presented three meaningful gifts to Pope Leo XIV: a finely crafted gemstone portrait of the Pope created by children from a Myanmar orphanage; a precious chalice made using refined craftsmanship from the Song Dynasty; and a one-stroke calligraphy titled “Harmony and Co-Existence, Galloping Towards Success” by Fo Guang Shan’s Founding Master, Venerable Master Hsing Yun. Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s calligraphy expresses earnest hopes for world peace, while the Song Dynasty chalice and the children’s gemstone artwork symbolize sincere blessings from the heart.
Most Venerable Hsin Bau, President of the UAOHBC, presented Pope Leo XIV with a gemstone portrait of the Pope, handcrafted by children from a Myanmar orphanage. photo/Yang Sheng-Yu
Venerable Yi Kong, UAOHBC Executive Director and President of the Fo Guang Shan Culture Council, stated that among the many Buddhist organizations present, UAOHBC was the only representative of Chinese Buddhism at the event—an honor that highlights the growing global presence and influence of Chinese Buddhism on the international religious stage.
Pope Leo XIV presided over “Walking Together in Hope,” a celebration marking the 60th anniversary of Nostra Aetate, the Second Vatican Council’s Declaration on Interreligious Dialogue.
Sixty years ago,” the Pope said, “with the publication of Nostra Aetate, a seed of hope for interreligious dialogue was planted. Today, your presence bears witness that this seed has grown into a mighty tree—its branches reaching far and wide, offering shelter and bearing the rich fruits of understanding, friendship, cooperation, and peace.”
Nostra Aetate, the Pope continued, “opened our eyes to a simple yet profound principle: dialogue is not a tactic or a tool—it is a way of life, a journey of the heart that transforms everyone involved: the one who listens and the one who speaks.”
Referring to the theme “Walking Together in Hope,” Pope Leo said, “We walk this journey not by compromising our beliefs, but by remaining true to our convictions. Authentic dialogue begins not in compromise but in conviction—in the deep roots of our own faith that give us the strength to reach out to others in love.
Recalling the Jubilee of Hope and emphasizing that “hope” and “pilgrimage” are common realities shared by all religious traditions, the Pope added, “This is the journey that Nostra Aetate invites us to continue—to walk together in hope.”
Pope Leo concluded his address with the words of Pope Saint John Paul II, who declared in Assisi in 1986, “If the world is going to continue, and men and women are to survive in it, the world cannot do without prayer.”
Members of the UAOHBC Presidential Council Take a Group Photo in Front of St. Peter’s Basilica. photo/Du He
Members of the UAOHBC Presidential Council participating in this interreligious exchange included Most Venerable Hsin Bau, Abbot of Fo Guang Shan; Venerable Wu Yin, Abbess of the Luminary International Buddhist Society; Venerable Ru Jing, Abbot of Bliss and Wisdom; Venerable Yi Kong, Venerable Ming Guang, Chief Supervisor of UAOHBC; Venerable Chueh Pei, Secretary General of the Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) World Headquarters; and representatives from Ling Jiou Mountain Buddhist Society, Dasian Temple, and Ling Yen Shan Temple.
The delegation also included many monastics, scholars, and prominent social figures, such as Chao Ming Liu, Vice President of BLIA World Headquarters; Tina Pan Wei-Kang, President of BLIA R.O.C.; senior media professional Jennifer Shen Chun-Hwa; film director Charlie Chu; Venerable Jue Cheng, Chief Abbess of Fo Guang Shan for Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia; Venerable Yung Guang, Head Abbess of Fo Guang Shan Philippines; Venerable Miao Xiang, Head Abbess of Fo Guang Shan Europe; Venerable Miao You, Chief Abbess of Fo Guang Shan South America; Venerable Miao Guang, Deputy Chancellor of the Fo Guang Shan Institute of Humanistic Buddhism.
Together, they exemplified the global presence and diverse participation of Buddhism in fostering harmony and interreligious understanding across the world.
On the 29th, the delegation of the United Association of Humanistic Buddhism, Chunghua (UAOHBC), joined the grand celebration of 100,000 people at St. Peter’s Square, where they had a close and cordial exchange with Pope Leo XIV. This event embodied the Humanistic Buddhism ideal of “bringing religion beyond temple walls, into society, and onto the world stage.” photo/Vatican News
A large crowd of worshippers gathered in front of St. Peter’s Square. photo/Du He
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