KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan: Venerable Hsin Bau, Chairperson of the Fo Guang Shan Board of Directors, urged global religious leaders, humanitarian organizations, world leaders, and the United Nations to join in calling for a truce between Israel and the Palestinians to reconcile the conflict.

He urges the UN Security Council to convene a meeting immediately to bring the two sides back to the negotiating table; only through peaceful dialogue and democratic consultation can a long-term solution to the confrontation be found.

Most Venerable Hsin Bau, who is also the President of the Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) World Headquarters, issued a statement calling on the world to promote “Coexistence and Co-prosperity,” and expressed the hope that world leaders would come forward to speak out, communicate and coordinate, and support peace and harmony.

Fo Guang Shan’s founding master, Venerable Master Hsing Yun, also advocated for world peace as well as coexistence and co-prosperity throughout his life.

In view of that, Most Venerable Hsin Bau delivered a keynote address on the theme of “Coexistence and Co-prosperity” to 3,000 Buddha’s Light members from around the world at the 2023 BLIA General Conference on October 6.

A motion was passed to echo the theme of the conference with the mission of promoting world peace.

“Friendly relations among nations and international peace are our common goals. We should work together to build a fair, peaceful, secure, and prosperous world.

“War only brings hatred, and will never solve problems. Peace and harmony in the world can truly be achieved.

“The reignited conflict between Israel and Palestine is a sad tragedy. Behind the war, countless of lives have been lost.

“Venerable Master Hsing Yun said coexistence and co-prosperity should not be doubted, and that from individual harmony to world peace, the power of harmony and peace will be even stronger, and that the power of coexistence and co-prosperity can be realized.”

Most Venerable Hsin Bau also emphasized that religious beliefs teach human beings to be caring and compassionate toward one another, and to treat our neighbors with love and kindness. Regardless of the difference in faith, it is the common responsibility of humanity to value life and protect the innocent.

“We stand at a tumultuous time, witnessing the escalation of the war between Israel and Palestine.

“This conflict has brought innocent casualties and destruction to ordinary civilians, and thousands of innocent lives have been lost in the conflict.

“As Buddhists and Buddha’s Light members, we firmly believe that peace is the most essential act for humanity. Regardless of religion, race or nationality, we should understand one another and work hard to realize world peace.”

“War is brutal. It destroys homes, deprives lives, and brings great suffering to millions of innocent people. History has proven that fighting violence with violence will never bring true peace.”