International Inter-religious Conference on Faith in Human Rights
at The Peace Palace in The Hague, 10 December 2008
at The Peace Palace in The Hague, 10 December 2008
Rev Master Lee Zhi-Wang presented a copy of The Tao Inspiration- Tao Te Ching to Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands.Address by Reverend Master LEE Zhi-Wang representing Taoism:
Your Majesty The Queen, very esteemed religious leaders, distinguished statesman and dignitaries, I extend you my warm greetings:
“Fu Sheng Wu Liang Tian Zun” May Heavenly Blessings Be With You. Humbly, I share my Taoist support today.
The approach to peaceful coexistence can be achieved – a guidance given by our Supreme Patriarch of Taoism, Lao Zi in his classic Tao Te Ching Chapter 79, “Reconciliations are pledged but resentments always remain; how can this be made good? Practice humility give without taking and do not exploit. Tao of Heaven is impartial, and it often helps those with virtues.”
Taoist teaching in Tao Te Ching Chapter 25 also states that “Besides the Great Tao, Heaven and Earth, Man is one of the great things in the universe.” Man and the Great Tao, Heaven and Earth are one harmony entity. This harmonious entity is achievable when one respects the equality and right of existence of all other living entities. A person is not the centre of the universe rather he is just a member of the universe.
Our Taoist community is constantly reminded to “Conduct one’s life with the Sage’s three most precious treasures, the first is Compassion; the second is Frugality and the third is Humility” of Tao Te Ching Chapter 67. These three commendable qualities are fast diminishing in human, which onsets loss of integrity, trust, respect, filial piety and justice amongst men; thus disharmony, disputes and dominance are the eventualities.
I am happy to be here today as a member of the World Council of Religions for Peace who has deeply supported the importance of freedom of religious belief and practice. The organization is built on respect for each religious tradition, and our structure, based on the principle of representativity, allows equal opportunity of participation for our broad and quite diverse membership, spanning six continents and including the world’s major religious communities.
Religious leaders and their communities with their unparalleled ability have to continuously and strongly deepen the culture of education of goodness of man and virtues. Emphasis has to be made on understanding human right needs to simultaneously promote values and commitment to a complementary spirit of responsibility; strengthen and harness the potential and energies of justice, forgiveness, respect, hope and reconciliation.
In Tao Te Ching’s final Chapter 81 it indicates clearly “The Tao of Heaven benefits but does not injure. The man of Tao acts but does not content.” The Tao guiding principle to survival of humanity is: Peace is the man; Harmony comes from the man who gives without contention. This is exactly the crowning code of human conduct and dignity.
Fellow esteemed religious leaders, as we come joined hands to support this Statement Faith in Human Rights, we symbolize the harmonious relationships that exist and the mutual respect we have for one another. And, I respectfully appeal to people of faith to join in the common work of building peace for mankind as a whole with equality and sincerity to provide a ‘peaceful global world’ for all of us.
“Wu Liang Shou Fu” With Heavenly Blessings and May Peace Be With You.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Released at:
The Peace Palace,
The Hague, The Netherlands
Justitia Et Pax
10 December 2008
Rev Master Lee Zhi-Wang
Co-President of World Council of Religions for Peace
President of Taoist Mission (Singapore)
PS: For Chinese version of speech please refer to our main website at http://www.taoism.org.sg/
“Fu Sheng Wu Liang Tian Zun” May Heavenly Blessings Be With You. Humbly, I share my Taoist support today.
The approach to peaceful coexistence can be achieved – a guidance given by our Supreme Patriarch of Taoism, Lao Zi in his classic Tao Te Ching Chapter 79, “Reconciliations are pledged but resentments always remain; how can this be made good? Practice humility give without taking and do not exploit. Tao of Heaven is impartial, and it often helps those with virtues.”
Taoist teaching in Tao Te Ching Chapter 25 also states that “Besides the Great Tao, Heaven and Earth, Man is one of the great things in the universe.” Man and the Great Tao, Heaven and Earth are one harmony entity. This harmonious entity is achievable when one respects the equality and right of existence of all other living entities. A person is not the centre of the universe rather he is just a member of the universe.
Our Taoist community is constantly reminded to “Conduct one’s life with the Sage’s three most precious treasures, the first is Compassion; the second is Frugality and the third is Humility” of Tao Te Ching Chapter 67. These three commendable qualities are fast diminishing in human, which onsets loss of integrity, trust, respect, filial piety and justice amongst men; thus disharmony, disputes and dominance are the eventualities.
I am happy to be here today as a member of the World Council of Religions for Peace who has deeply supported the importance of freedom of religious belief and practice. The organization is built on respect for each religious tradition, and our structure, based on the principle of representativity, allows equal opportunity of participation for our broad and quite diverse membership, spanning six continents and including the world’s major religious communities.
Religious leaders and their communities with their unparalleled ability have to continuously and strongly deepen the culture of education of goodness of man and virtues. Emphasis has to be made on understanding human right needs to simultaneously promote values and commitment to a complementary spirit of responsibility; strengthen and harness the potential and energies of justice, forgiveness, respect, hope and reconciliation.
In Tao Te Ching’s final Chapter 81 it indicates clearly “The Tao of Heaven benefits but does not injure. The man of Tao acts but does not content.” The Tao guiding principle to survival of humanity is: Peace is the man; Harmony comes from the man who gives without contention. This is exactly the crowning code of human conduct and dignity.
Fellow esteemed religious leaders, as we come joined hands to support this Statement Faith in Human Rights, we symbolize the harmonious relationships that exist and the mutual respect we have for one another. And, I respectfully appeal to people of faith to join in the common work of building peace for mankind as a whole with equality and sincerity to provide a ‘peaceful global world’ for all of us.
“Wu Liang Shou Fu” With Heavenly Blessings and May Peace Be With You.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Released at:
The Peace Palace,
The Hague, The Netherlands
Justitia Et Pax
10 December 2008
Rev Master Lee Zhi-Wang
Co-President of World Council of Religions for Peace
President of Taoist Mission (Singapore)
PS: For Chinese version of speech please refer to our main website at http://www.taoism.org.sg/
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