On 1 June 2017, Most Venerable Ze Wu, Vice-President of the Buddhist Association of China, President of the Buddhist Association of Xiamen, Abbot of Xiamen’s Nanputuo Monastery, and Rector of the Buddhist College of Minnan, led a delegation of 138 people, comprising members of the Buddhist Association of Xiamen and the 15th batch of graduates of the Buddhist College of Minnan, to “retrace the maritime silk route” and visited Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery (KMSPKS) and the Buddhist College of Singapore (BCS).
Most Venerable Kwang Sheng, Vice-President of the Singapore Buddhist Federation, Abbot of KMSPKS Monastery and Rector of BCS, together with monastics, students and staff, warmly received the guests at the Hall of No Form. As the Master-of-Ceremony, Venerable Chuan Hou, Vice-Rector of BCS, expressed his congratulations and confidence that cooperation between the two colleges will deepen.
In his welcome speech, Most Venerable Kwang Sheng highlighted the significance of the maritime silk route in the spread of Buddhism. In more recent centuries, he noted how Chinese Buddhism had taken root in Southeast Asia due to the missionary efforts of Buddhist masters from China’s Fujian Province. Looking into the future, to propagate Chinese Buddhism throughout the world will require the grooming of effectively bilingual monastics, which is one of the important missions of BCS. In an uncertain world where people relate to religious radicalism and pursue endless material pursuits, he hoped that Buddhist monastics will be able to generate Bodhicitta and venture throughout the world to courageously impart the Dharma to benefit sentient beings.
In his thank you speech, Most Venerable Ze Wu highlighted how the many Buddhist monuments in the five countries along the maritime silk route had reminded and inspired the graduates regarding the pioneering spirit of past Buddhist masters. He felt an intimate sense of homecoming upon arrival in BCS, the last stop of the trip, due to the close ties in Buddhist tradition between the Buddhist College of Minnan and BCS. As the two colleges share the same objectives, a common language and similar mindsets, he hoped that from now on, they can cooperate more closely to deepen relationships, strengthen the effort in cultivating future leaders, offer solutions to the emerging problems in Buddhist communities, and contribute to the welfare of humankind.
The meeting concluded with both sides exchanging gifts and taking a group photo in front of the Hall of Great Strength.
