On the morning of May 5, the ceremony for Xi'an Beilin Museum to present stone tablets rubbing to Chung-tai Temple in Taiwan was held at Beilin Plaza. On May 4, Governor Yuan Chunqing met with a delegation of Chung-tai Temple headed by Presbyter Weijue, and Vice Governor Jing Junhai was present at the meeting and delivered a speech at the presenting ceremony.
In order to deepen the exchange and cooperation between Shaanxi Province and Taiwan, Xi'an Beilin Museum donated 1273 suites of stone tablets rubbings to Chung-tai Temple. These rubbings will be showcased at the Shaanxi-Taiwan Economy and Trade Cooperation Forum to be held in Taiwan in September. Chung-tai Temple was constructed by Presbyter Weijue of Taiwan in 1994, and is one of the four most influential temples in Buddhist circle of Taiwan.
Over the years, the temple has been dedicated to promote Buddhist culture and Chinese culture, and has enjoyed high reputation on both sides of Taiwan Strait.
Governor Yuan Chunqing welcomed the visiting of Presbyter Weijue. He said that Presbyter Weijue not only made active contributions to promotion of religious exchange on both sides of the Strait and development of cross-strait relationships. Moreover, he has close ties with Shaanxi. When the relics of Buddha figure was worshiped in Taiwan, Presbyter Weijue attended the welcoming and sending activities.
The antithetical couplet engraved on the front door of Heshen Buddha Relics Tower in Famen Temple was written by Presbyter Weijue. Chinese mainland and Taiwan are belonging to the territory of China. People on both sides of Taiwan Strait are all descendents of the Yellow Emperor. The stone tablets are the valuable treasures of the Chinese nation and shall be shared with Taiwan compatriots.
Contents of the rubbings presented this time cover many aspects such as history, geography, religion and art, and set a record in terms of number and level. It is believed that after these valuable historical relics were sent to Taiwan, they can bring the function to spread the excellent history and culture of Chinese nation, and further enhance the emotion and recognition between people on both sides of the Strait.
Presbyter Weijue extended the hospitality of our province and our presentation of rubbings. He said that the literal tablets in Xi an Beilin are the heritage and witness of Chinese history and culture. Chung-tai Temple is lucky to accept the donation, which will further enrich the cross-strait cultural exchanges, and enable more Taiwan people to know their ancestors and cultural origins.
At the presenting ceremony, Governor Jing Junhai delivered a speech on behalf of the Shaanxi Provincial People s Government. He said that Chinese nation has a long and splendid civilization. Protection and inheriting the rare cultural relics of the ancestors are mutual responsibilities of cross-strait Taiwan compatriots.
It is hoped that both sides of Taiwan Strait could take the cultural exchange as the opportunity to promote the in-depth and multiple-channel interaction and cooperation between Shaanxi and Taiwan continuously and make actively contribution to promote the peaceful development of cross-strait relationships.
Li Weiyi, director general of the Exchange Bureau of the Taiwan Affairs Office, congratulated on the successful holding of the donation ceremony on behalf of the Taiwan Affairs Office. Presbyter Weijue and Li Zuyuan, president of the General Association of Chung-tai Temple, delivered speeches respectively to extend thanks to generous donation of our province.