Contemplative Action and Active Contemplation: Buddhist and Christian Nuns in Dialogue: this was the theme of the first joint International Conference between consecrated women of the two religions, held in the city of Kaohsiung, in southern Taiwan, on the initiative of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, the Association of Major Women Superiors of Taiwan and the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Monastery, site of the encounter. It is significant that the first formal Buddhist-Christian meeting, which took place in 1995, was also held at this Monastery.
Seventy Buddhist and Catholic nuns, primarily from Asian countries but also from Europe and the United States, participated in the event, as well as a European delegation from the World Council of Churches.
The meeting’s agenda was marked not only by discussions in plenary sessions, but also by visits to sacred places in the region, conversations on the individual and small group levels, and testimonials about solidarity.
The objective of the Conference was to create more space for women to participate in interreligious dialogue.