In the gentle unfolding of causes and conditions, some encounters feel less like coincidence and more like a quiet remembering. The recent series of events celebrating the 80th Anniversary of the Taiwan Buddhist Association (TBA; Ch. 台灣佛教總會) carried just such a quality—threads long woven, now softly drawn together into a meaningful whole.
For my husband, Dr. Frank Tien, and myself, this story did not begin this year. It reaches back three years, to an experience that at the time felt mysterious, even puzzling. A practitioner had “received” a poem suggesting that we would one day go to a Dragon King temple to “open the gate.” We did not dwell on it, yet somehow found ourselves drawn to the Golden Dragon King Temple. There, quite unexpectedly, we encountered Ven. Hui-Chang—now the 26th president of the TBA—who was himself surprised to see us. He was to conduct an Avatamsaka Puja there starting the following day.
We had met before, but never imagined meeting in that place. The moment passed quietly, yet left an imprint, like a seed planted without announcement.
Another thread appeared earlier this year, at the 2nd Global Buddhist Summit in India. Among the many participants, we unexpectedly met Ven. Jian-Yin, secretary general of the TBA. Although we had crossed paths long ago, the memory had faded with time. What unfolded there, however, became unexpectedly significant.
During a panel session, she needed assistance with English translation on stage, and I was invited to help. What began as a simple act of support turned into a moment of renewed connection. Perhaps it was the ease of communication, or the shared familiarity with the international Buddhist community—having previously served in global Buddhist networks—that allowed something to fall naturally into place.
Soon after, she entrusted us with what seemed, at first, almost an impossible task: to help invite overseas delegates to Taiwan for the TBA’s 80th anniversary celebrations. The confirmation came late—barely a month before the events—but the conditions aligned in remarkable ways. With collective effort and goodwill, more than 108 delegates from 19 countries eventually gathered in Taiwan. What once felt like a distant possibility quietly became a shared reality.
Seen individually, these moments might appear incidental. Seen together, they form a circle, suggesting what in Buddhist language we might simply call the ripening of causes and conditions. Whether one attributes such harmony to the compassionate vows of the buddhas and bodhisattvas, or to the unseen protection of the dragon kings (nagas), there was a gentle sense that something was being guided into being.
A gathering of traditions, a shared aspiration
Founded in 1946, the TBA has accompanied the growth of Buddhism in Taiwan into a vibrant and globally connected Mahayana community. The 80th anniversary celebrations were not only a commemoration of history, but a living expression of continuity, renewal, and shared aspiration.
On 25 April 2026, the inauguration of the 26th president and board of directors and supervisors marked a new chapter under the leadership of Ven. Hui-Chang. The ceremony unfolded with dignity and clarity, reflecting stability and vision.
The following day brought one of the most moving highlights: the auspicious bathing of the Buddha, held alongside interfaith world peace prayers and a bell-ringing ceremony. What made this gathering especially meaningful was its inclusivity. Local indigenous communities, alongside vibrant folk religious traditions—particularly those connected to Mazu and Nezha temples—joined Buddhist communities in celebration.
In a remarkable convergence, more than 10,000 people gathered—not merely as observers, but as participants in a shared moment of reverence and joy. It was as if the Buddha’s birthday had become a meeting ground for many paths, each bringing its own sincerity.
Among the international guests was a dear Muslim friend, Imam Anees, who has been instrumental in establishing one of the earliest and largest mosques in Nagoya, Japan. His presence added a quiet yet profound dimension to the interfaith spirit of the gathering—reminding us that genuine dialogue begins not in theory, but in shared presence.
Pilgrimage across a living Buddhist landscape
The days that followed brought participants across Taiwan, offering a glimpse into the richness and diversity of its Mahayana traditions.
At the Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum, one could witness the seamless integration of education, culture, and devotion—presenting Buddhism in forms both accessible and profound.
At Yuan Heng Temple, the Global Buddhist Forum gathered voices from different traditions to reflect on the theme: Future Development and Integration of Buddhism. Conversations there were not abstract, but grounded in lived realities—how to carry the Dharma forward in a rapidly changing world.
The visit to Chung Tai Chan Monastery offered yet another perspective: the stillness and discipline of the Chan tradition, expressed through both architecture and practice.
Each place, in its own way, revealed a facet of Taiwan’s Buddhist vitality—rooted in tradition, yet open to the world.
Returning to the Dragon King: A circle completed
If there was a single moment that seemed to gather all threads together, it was the farewell evening at the Meishan Golden Dragon King Palace (梅山金龍殿).
Set under the open sky, surrounded by mountains and illuminated by the gentle light of the moon, the evening unfolded with a natural beauty that no stage could replicate. Clouds drifted slowly above and, to the delight of many, seemed to take on the forms of dragons, as if the unseen guardians of the place had quietly joined the gathering.
What had begun, for us, as a solitary and somewhat mysterious visit years ago, now returned as a shared experience with friends from around the world. The circle, in that moment, felt complete.
The program that evening reflected both joy and depth. Performances by students from Taiwan’s College of Performing Arts brought energy and grace. Gagan Malik, known for his portrayal of Prince Siddhartha in an award-winning film, offered words of encouragement to the young performers at the invitation of President Hui-Chang—bridging art, inspiration, and spiritual aspiration.
A particularly touching moment came with the arrival of children from the Amitabha Care Center, whose singing carried a purity that needed no translation. Their voices, joined with those present, transformed the gathering into something more than a performance—it became a shared offering.
As night deepened, a candle-lighting ceremony for world peace brought the event into quiet stillness. The candle itself carried a story. Its journey had, in fact, only two days earlier, touched the living flame of the Beigang Chaotian Mazu Temple (北港朝天宮). This is a sacred fire that has been kept burning for more than three centuries, and to which countless Taiwanese hearts have turned in prayer across generations. From that deeply rooted well of devotion, the flame was carried onward, joining this gathering of prayers for the world.
In that single light, many lineages, many communities, and many hopes were quietly brought together.
Taiwan’s Mahayana heart
What these days revealed most clearly was the living spirit of Taiwanese Buddhism. Rooted in the Mahayana vision of the bodhisattva path, it carries a distinctive balance—devotional yet engaged, traditional yet innovative, grounded yet open.
Here, Buddhism is not confined within boundaries. It meets indigenous traditions, dialogues with other faiths, and responds to contemporary needs with creativity and compassion. It is this openness that allows Taiwan to serve as a bridge connecting cultures, traditions, and generations.
A quiet gratitude
Looking back, it would be easy to describe the 80th anniversary celebrations simply as a successful series of events. Yet something more subtle accompanied them—a quiet sense of alignment, as though each step had been gently prepared in advance.
The earlier encounters at this very same Golden Dragon King Palace Temple, the unexpected meeting in India, the gathering of international friends, and the return to the Dragon King’s presence—all seemed to form part of a larger pattern, one that no single individual could have designed.
In Buddhist understanding, such moments need no embellishment. They are simply the meeting of causes and conditions—arising, unfolding, and passing on.
And yet, within that simplicity, there is profound beauty.
As the gatherings came to a close, there remained not a sense of ending, but of continuation. The circle, once drawn, does not close; it opens—inviting further steps along the path.
In that spirit, one can only offer gratitude—for the visible and invisible supports alike. For the many hands and hearts who worked tirelessly behind the scenes, attending to every detail with care; for those who carried responsibilities quietly, without seeking recognition; and for the unseen conditions that allowed all things to come together in harmony.
With such interwoven efforts, the celebration became more than an event. It became a shared offering—one that reflects the enduring aspiration of Taiwan’s Buddhist community: to walk the path of wisdom and compassion for the benefit of all beings.
See more
全球佛教文化聯誼晚會│台灣佛教總會八十週年 (YouTube)
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