Taipei, April 17 (CNA) Republic of China Vice President Annette Lu lauded local religious groups Tuesday for their contributions to the promotion of Taiwan's relations with the international community.
She made the remarks while meeting with Bawa Jain and Dena Merriam, secretary-general and vice chairperson, respectively, of the Millennium Summit of World Religious and Spiritual Leaders.
Mentioning the to-be-established "Museum of World Religions" in suburban Taipei, Lu said that "the efforts of local religious groups have not only let Taiwan walk out, but have also let the world come in."
Bawa Jain noted that Taiwan is "a part of the world" and added that he is very concerned about peace across the Taiwan Strait. He said that cross-strait exchanges and dialogue must be promoted through the efforts of both the private and official sectors.
Lu told the visitors that efforts must be made by all people around the world for the ideal of attaining everlasting peace without war.
Bawa Jain said the purposes of his Taipei visit are to seek cooperation among religious leaders in the Asia-Pacific region and to push forward peace work between the United Nations and the region through cooperation.
The visitors were in Taipei for a religious symposium organized by the Dharma Drum Mountain. They met with the vice president, accompanied by Master Hsin Tao of the Lingchiu Mountain and Dharma Master Kuo Hsiang of the Dharma Drum Mountain.