Harmony of Nature and Interfaith Sentiments: Catholic Fathers and Brothers' Profound Visit to Ling Jiou Mountain
On April 8, Father Lin Chih Ting, Executive Secretary of the Committee for Interreligious Dialogue of the Chinese Regional Bishops' Conference in Taiwan, led a delegation to Ling Jiou Mountain (LJM) for an interfaith exchange and documentary filming. The group included five philosophy seminarians from the Taiwan Catholic Major Seminary and three Catholic priests: Father Pietro Rossini, head of multimedia for the Xaverian Missionaries in Italy; Father Hector Gabriel; and Father Edi Foschiatto, who has served in Taiwan for over 30 years. Together, they engaged in Buddhist meditation practice and explored the concept of spiritual ecology, reflecting Taiwan's rich and diverse landscape of interreligious integration.
Accompanied by Venerables Xian-Yue and Bao-Yi, principal disciples of Master Hsin Tao, the delegation was guided through several significant sites at Ling Jiou Mountain. They visited the Fahua Cave, where Founding Master Hsin Tao once undertook solitary retreat and intensive practice, gaining insight into the founding of Ling Jiou Mountain and the Museum of World Religions. The seminarians also took part in a 9-minute Chan (Zen) meditation session at the Yuan-tong Shrine of Avalokiteshvara Hall, experienced the solemnity and serenity of the evening chanting at the Patriarchs' Hall, where natural sounds harmonize with sacred recitation, and circumambulated the Great Golden Pagoda of Light three times in prayer for world peace—leaving them with a profound and moving spiritual experience.
Brother Lee Che-Yi shared that this was his first visit to a Buddhist monastery, and through the Chan meditation experience, he perceived similarities between Catholic spiritual practices and contemplative prayer. He remarked that although different religions have distinct approaches to spiritual cultivation, their core pursuit of truth and wisdom is fundamentally the same. He was particularly struck by Venerable Xian Yue’s reference to the “Ultimate Truth,” which prompted him to reflect on the essence of life: “For whom are we born? For whom do we live?”
Another Brother, who had previously studied landscape design, was deeply impressed by the way trees are preserved in the middle of walkways and boulders are kept within buildings. He noted how Ling Jiou Mountain deliberately avoids altering the terrain for the sake of construction, reflecting a deep commitment to preserving nature and living in harmony with the environment. He also noticed umbrellas thoughtfully placed throughout the site—a small but telling sign of the monastery’s compassionate attentiveness. Venerable Xian Yue explained that the spiritual ecology upheld by Ling Jiou Mountain is rooted in “Respect for the value of Existence, Tolerance of Living Environment, and Love in Giving What is Needed.” The philosophy struck a deep chord with the visitors.
Several of the Brothers also remarked that during their seated meditation in the Chan Hall, they were surprised by how quickly they were able to enter a state of calm through the voice-guided instructions of Master Hsin Tao. The experience gave them a sense of mindful awareness amidst a turbulent world. One shared that although he had come with anticipation, there had also been a hint of unease—yet once on-site, what he felt instead was warmth and acceptance. The Brothers were impressed by the Patriarchs' Hall architecture, which blends elements from various Buddhist traditions. They felt that Ling Jiou Mountain truly embodies a spirit of “unity in diversity,” which harmonizes beautifully with the Catholic emphasis on love and peace.
Father Pietro Rossini expressed that this visit brought about “a truly surprising realization,” while Father Edi Foschiatto gifted books and small tokens as a gesture of gratitude. Father Lin Chih-Ting shared that after studying Taoist philosophy in Italy, he truly came to appreciate the value and depth of interfaith dialogue.
Father Hector Gabriel expressed that after visiting Ling Jiou Mountain and the Museum of World Religions, he developed a deep understanding of Master Hsin Tao’s original vow to spread peace after surviving wars. He said, “This journey has prompted me to reconsider the fundamental questions of life, such as ‘Who am I? Why are we born as human beings?’”
Finally, Master Xian Yue described, “Each person is like a bead,” likening everyone to the "Net of Jade Beads" hanging from the ceiling of the ground floor atrium at the Museum of World Religions. Through sharing and learning, we are all connected and shine in mutual harmony.
Accompanied by Venerables Xian-Yue and Bao-Yi, principal disciples of Master Hsin Tao, the delegation was guided through several significant sites at Ling Jiou Mountain. They visited the Fahua Cave, where Founding Master Hsin Tao once undertook solitary retreat and intensive practice, gaining insight into the founding of Ling Jiou Mountain and the Museum of World Religions. The seminarians also took part in a 9-minute Chan (Zen) meditation session at the Yuan-tong Shrine of Avalokiteshvara Hall, experienced the solemnity and serenity of the evening chanting at the Patriarchs' Hall, where natural sounds harmonize with sacred recitation, and circumambulated the Great Golden Pagoda of Light three times in prayer for world peace—leaving them with a profound and moving spiritual experience.
Brother Lee Che-Yi shared that this was his first visit to a Buddhist monastery, and through the Chan meditation experience, he perceived similarities between Catholic spiritual practices and contemplative prayer. He remarked that although different religions have distinct approaches to spiritual cultivation, their core pursuit of truth and wisdom is fundamentally the same. He was particularly struck by Venerable Xian Yue’s reference to the “Ultimate Truth,” which prompted him to reflect on the essence of life: “For whom are we born? For whom do we live?”
Another Brother, who had previously studied landscape design, was deeply impressed by the way trees are preserved in the middle of walkways and boulders are kept within buildings. He noted how Ling Jiou Mountain deliberately avoids altering the terrain for the sake of construction, reflecting a deep commitment to preserving nature and living in harmony with the environment. He also noticed umbrellas thoughtfully placed throughout the site—a small but telling sign of the monastery’s compassionate attentiveness. Venerable Xian Yue explained that the spiritual ecology upheld by Ling Jiou Mountain is rooted in “Respect for the value of Existence, Tolerance of Living Environment, and Love in Giving What is Needed.” The philosophy struck a deep chord with the visitors.
Several of the Brothers also remarked that during their seated meditation in the Chan Hall, they were surprised by how quickly they were able to enter a state of calm through the voice-guided instructions of Master Hsin Tao. The experience gave them a sense of mindful awareness amidst a turbulent world. One shared that although he had come with anticipation, there had also been a hint of unease—yet once on-site, what he felt instead was warmth and acceptance. The Brothers were impressed by the Patriarchs' Hall architecture, which blends elements from various Buddhist traditions. They felt that Ling Jiou Mountain truly embodies a spirit of “unity in diversity,” which harmonizes beautifully with the Catholic emphasis on love and peace.
Father Pietro Rossini expressed that this visit brought about “a truly surprising realization,” while Father Edi Foschiatto gifted books and small tokens as a gesture of gratitude. Father Lin Chih-Ting shared that after studying Taoist philosophy in Italy, he truly came to appreciate the value and depth of interfaith dialogue.
Father Hector Gabriel expressed that after visiting Ling Jiou Mountain and the Museum of World Religions, he developed a deep understanding of Master Hsin Tao’s original vow to spread peace after surviving wars. He said, “This journey has prompted me to reconsider the fundamental questions of life, such as ‘Who am I? Why are we born as human beings?’”
Finally, Master Xian Yue described, “Each person is like a bead,” likening everyone to the "Net of Jade Beads" hanging from the ceiling of the ground floor atrium at the Museum of World Religions. Through sharing and learning, we are all connected and shine in mutual harmony.