Reporter: Lu Mei, China News Service
Buddhism on both sides of the Taiwan Strait shares the same roots and source. Despite experiencing complex political changes and social transformations, the transmission and exchange of Buddhism between the two sides have never ceased. Recently, Master Ming Hai, Vice President of the Chinese Buddhist Association and Executive Vice President of the China Buddhist Academy, accepted an exclusive interview with China News Service’s “East-West Dialogue” to reflect on the heritage and exchange of Buddhism between the two sides and called for collaboration within the Buddhist community to contribute wisdom and strength for the development of Chinese culture and the peaceful stability of cross-strait relations.
**Interview Excerpts:**
**China News Service: When and how did Buddhism enter Taiwan? What stages have cross-strait Buddhist exchanges gone through?**
**Master Ming Hai:** Buddhism has always maintained a close connection across the Taiwan Strait throughout history, with distinct characteristics at different stages. Since the Ming Dynasty, Buddhism was introduced to Taiwan through immigrants from the southeastern coast of mainland China—not led by specialized monks but integrated with the immigrants’ lives. Early Buddhist beliefs in Taiwan were quite secular, closely intertwined with folk beliefs and Daoism, resulting in a form of dissemination where “gods and Buddhas were indistinguishable.” During the Qing Dynasty, the government encouraged the development of Buddhism, and exchanges between Taiwan and the mainland increased, creating favorable conditions for the further growth of Buddhism in Taiwan.
After the signing of the Treaty of Shimonoseki in 1895, Taiwan was ceded to Japan; however, culturally, the people of Taiwan, especially monks, did not experience a break or isolation from the mainland. Many Taiwanese monks strengthened their interactions with the mainland to resist the Japanese colonial authorities’ influence on Buddhism, maintaining a close connection. During the Republic of China period, prominent Taiwanese monks actively came to the mainland for study and invited mainland monks to Taiwan for teachings. For instance, Master Tai Xu engaged with Taiwan’s Buddhist community through poetry and writings, while visits by Daojie Master and Zhang Zongzai showcased the close ties between celebrated figures from both sides.
After 1949, due to political changes, cross-strait Buddhist exchanges faced a period of stagnation. In 1987, following the lifting of martial law in Taiwan, tentative contacts began primarily under the guise of family visits. The Abbot of Zhongtai Chan Temple, Master Wei Jue, articulated a shared sentiment among the Buddhist communities on both sides, stating, “Before the two sides communicate, religion should connect; before religion connects, Buddhism should pave the way.” In 1989, Master Hsing Yun from Fo Guang Shan led a “promoting the Dharma family visit group” back to the mainland and was warmly welcomed by key leaders, opening a new chapter in cross-strait exchanges.
In 1990, Taiwan’s relevant departments allowed various Buddhist groups to send representatives to the mainland, marking a new phase of interaction. Senior monks from the Taiwan Buddhist community, including Elder Jingliang of the Chinese Buddhist Association and Master Sheng Yen of Dharma Drum Mountain, visited the mainland to seek their roots and make connections, while leaders like Masters Hsing Yun and Sheng Yen actively promoted exchanges. With the realization of comprehensive and direct “three links” between the two sides, Buddhist exchanges expanded significantly, not only through increased movement between monks and believers but also through academic and cultural exchanges such as forums and seminars.
Notably, in 2002, the sacred relic of Famen Temple was invited collectively by the Taiwanese Buddhist community to Taiwan for tour and worship. During the 37 days in Taiwan, millions came to pay their respects, significantly enhancing the emotional bond between people on both sides and embodying a shared vision of peace.
The Chinese Buddhist Association has always placed great importance on friendship and exchanges with the Taiwanese Buddhist community, engaging in extensive cooperation in areas like monk education, charity work, and cultural arts.
**China News Service: What role has Buddhist exchange played in promoting the development of cross-strait relations?**
**Master Ming Hai:** Buddhist exchanges are a crucial part of cultural interaction between the two sides, gathering consensus, uniting public sentiment, and strengthening faith for peaceful stability, prosperous development, and the well-being of the people.
The exchange of Buddhism across the strait is vital for the inheritance and development of Buddhist culture. After Buddhism was introduced to China from India and developed over thousands of years, it has deeply rooted itself in the land, becoming an indispensable part of Chinese culture. As a shared cultural heritage, its inheritance requires the joint effort of the Buddhist communities on both sides. Through exchanges, practitioners can learn from each other’s experiences in religious practice and cultural heritage, strengthening their ability to tackle contemporary challenges facing Buddhism. Taiwan’s Buddhist community has many advanced experiences in organization and social charity, whereas mainland Buddhism has accumulated rich resources in temple construction and classic studies. By engaging in regular visits, ceremonies, and discussions, both sides can leverage each other’s strengths, thereby advancing the continuous development of Buddhist culture and making positive contributions to the prosperity of Chinese culture.
Moreover, Buddhist exchanges can transcend geographical and political barriers, linking the people of both sides. Through pilgrimages and visits, these interactions have facilitated countless grassroots exchanges, improving mutual understanding. Taiwanese believers visiting sacred sites in the mainland, like Putuo Mountain and Wutai Mountain, or venerating ancestral halls, experience the ancient history and cultural legacy, while mainland devotees visiting Taiwan can witness its active engagement in social charity and environmental efforts. These reciprocal interactions deepen the understanding of each other’s cultural lifestyles, helping to eliminate misunderstandings and foster respect.
As Buddhism shares common roots, it embodies the historical and cultural memories of both peoples. Through exchanges, they can jointly inherit and promote Buddhist cultural heritage, enhancing their sense of identity and belonging to Chinese culture. Buddhist culture is expressed not only in rituals and practices but also in art, architecture, and music. The Buddhist communities have organized arts exhibitions and concerts, highlighting Buddhism’s significant role in cultural exchanges. These events have further illuminated the deep connections between the two sides.
Buddhism emphasizes compassion and peace, serving as a resource for resolving conflicts and fostering dialogue. The exchange and cooperation between the two sides’ Buddhist communities contribute not only to the peaceful development of cross-strait relations but also provide a model for global interreligious dialogue.
**China News Service: Looking ahead, how can the Buddhist communities on both sides jointly promote excellent traditional Chinese culture and peaceful development of cross-strait relations?**
**Master Ming Hai:** Promoting excellent traditional Chinese culture and advancing peaceful cross-strait relations is a vital mission for both sides’ Buddhist communities. We believe that further strengthening communication and cooperation at all levels is essential. The Buddhist associations should fully utilize various platforms and mechanisms for exchanges through events, seminars, and lectures, learning from each other’s achievements in Buddhist research, cultural inheritance, and talent cultivation. Exploring better ways to promote the Dharma and advance Chinese culture collectively is essential. We should encourage and support mutual visits between Buddhist organizations on both sides to enhance understanding of each other’s Buddhist practices and cultural nuances. This will help break down barriers, build trust, and lay a solid foundation for the peaceful development of cross-strait relations.
As a treasure of Chinese culture, Buddhism’s profound cultural heritage and widespread social influence provide rich resources and inspiration for cultural transmission and innovation. Buddhist murals, sculptures, music, and literature are crucial components that not only reflect the deep meanings of Buddhist teachings but also embody the uniqueness of Chinese culture. Through enhanced collaboration, the two sides’ Buddhist communities can showcase the diversity and inclusiveness of Chinese culture to the world, bolstering cultural confidence and collaborating on the preservation and publication of Buddhist texts, ultimately contributing to the Heritage and dissemination of Chinese culture.
Buddhism’s teachings on compassion and equality resonate well with the goal of peaceful cross-strait relations. By strengthening interactions, the Buddhist communities can foster understanding and trust, providing spiritual support to resolve differences and promote collaboration. Additionally, leveraging their influence, these communities can disseminate messages of peace within society, creating a favorable atmosphere for integration and development in cross-strait relations.
Looking ahead, we hope that the Buddhist communities on both sides can join forces and work together to contribute their wisdom and strength towards the development of Chinese culture as well as the peaceful stability of cross-strait relations.
**Interviewee Profile:**
**Master Ming Hai** graduated from the Philosophy Department of Peking University in 1991 and became a monk under Master Jing Hui in 1992. He has lineage in Linji and Cao Dong schools of thought. He currently serves as Vice President of the Chinese Buddhist Association and Executive Vice President of the China Buddhist Academy, as well as the abbot of Bailin Zen Temple in Hebei. He is a member of the National People’s Congress and a standing member of the Hebei Provincial Political Consultative Conference, also serving as editor of “Dharma Sound (English)” and “Dharma Source” journals. He has published works including “Buddhist Language of Huadu” (edited), “Zen Heart: Three Noes”, “Talks on the Gateless Barrier”, and “Outline of Life Zen” (chief editor).
