President Lee Teng-hui this afternoon meets with visiting American actor Steven Seagal for a soul-searching discussion.
Mr. Seagal, a devout Tibetan Tantric Buddhism believer, presents a white long scarf, known as "Hada" in Tibetan, to President Lee to convey his best wishes for the ROC head of state. Hada is an auspicious symbol in Tantric Buddhism.
Mr. Seagal is accompanied by Ms. Tsung Tsai-yuan, chairperson of Super Television Station in Taipei, to the Office of the President for the meeting. Also present are Dr. Ding Mou-shih, secretary-general of the ROC National Security Council, and Mr. Stephen S.F. Chen, deputy secretary-general to the President.
In their 40-minute talks in English and Japanese, President Lee and Mr. Seagal exchange views on religious belief and life philosophy. The President says that human beings are not born with religious belief but are born with love and mercy which are the most important human traits.
President Lee also recalls that he began to take interest in pondering the mysteries of life and death when his grandmother passed away when he was 15 years old.
Meanwhile, the President tells his guest that he has stressed the importance of spiritual reform in numerous public speeches recently because of an earnest hope that people in this country and around the world can lead high-quality spiritual lives in addition to enjoying material affluence.
"During the process of life's struggle," he notes, "although the pursuit of the material life is important, the spiritual life is even more important than anything else."
As the Dalai Lama, of whom Mr. Seagal is a disciple, is likely to visit Taipei later this year, President Lee says he would be pleased if the Tibetan spiritual leader's visit here take place, adding that he respects the Dalai Lama's beliefs and ideals.