Albert Lin, The Merit Times staff writer
September 25, 2023

On September 21st, Fo Guang Shan (FGS) South America Chief Abbess Venerable Miao You was invited to attend the "International Day of Peace" event. This event was organized by the Embaixada da Paz and took place in the Petrônio Portela Hall of the Brazilian Federal Senate in Brasília, the capital of Brazil.

Brazil Peace Ambassador Maria Paula Fidalgo addressed the distinguished guests at the event, which included representatives from different religions, spiritual leaders from various fields, diplomats, officials, artists, and talented young people. She stated, "I firmly believe that the seeds of peace will spread to every corner because every one of you here emits harmonious energy."

Brazil Peace Ambassador Maria Paula Fidalgo believed that the seeds of peace will spread to every corne. photo／The Life News Agency

Representatives from various sectors and political figures at the event gave speeches on topics such as world peace, human rights equality, and religious integration. Venerable Miao You explained the "Equality and Peace" advocated by Fo Guang Shan founder Venerable Master Hsing Yun. To achieve equality, there must be mutual respect, empathy, and affinity.

Venerable Miao You also shared the story "A deaf man, a blind man, and a crippled man being saved" and "The parable of the snake's head And tail disputing who to be at the front" from The Sutra of One Hundred Parables, illustrating the importance of cooperation.

Venerable Miao You mentioned Venerable Master Hsing Yun's four suggestions for promoting peace: first, compassion; second, eliminating Self-Attachment; third, tolerance; and fourth, coexistence. Venerable Miao You hoped that the participants would take the concepts of equality and the gospel of peace back with them, arousing consensus among all.

ROC Ambassador to Brazil, Diego Wen, delivered a speech emphasizing the importance of peace and calling on everyone to contribute to peace collectively.

Dr. Miguel Pereira, the Director of Buddha's Light International Association (BLIA) World Headquarters, expressed that this event provides a diverse range of information and opportunities for reflection. He emphasized Venerable Master Hsing Yun's advocacy for peace and expressed his deep honor in being a Fo Guang member. He sincerely recited "A Prayer for World Peace" written by Venerable Master Hsing Yun.

Dr. Miguel Pereira, the Director of BLIA World Headquarters, expressed his deep honor in being a Fo Guang member. photo／The Life News Agency

The distinguished guests in attendance at this event included Diego Wen and his wife, Ambassador Bolat Nussupov of Kazakhstan to Brazil, representatives from the Embassy of India in Brazil, General Ajax Porto Pinheiro, Chief of Staff to a Federal Senator, Ulisses Riedel, President of the Brazilian Planetary Union, Roberto Crema, Head of UNIPAZ, Gilberto Lima Jr. from Namastech, Venerable Sato from Japan, Xu Yonglong, President of BLIA Brazil, Dra. Rosane, Director of BLIA Brazil, Agatha Brito, National Office Director of the Red Cross, and Marlova Jovchelovitch Noleto, Director and Representative of UNESCO in Brazil.

September 21st is the "National Day of Struggle for People with Disabilities." The organizers invited musician Isabel Nabuco and the PestaLovers band to perform. This band is composed of individuals with autism and Down syndrome, among other disabilities. Finally, all the participants took a group photo to commemorate the International Day of Peace event, which concluded successfully.

The organizers invited musician Isabel Nabuco and the PestaLovers band to perform. photo／The Life News Agency