The Origin of the 3rd AVC and Objects

A good beginning in 2005, the director of Tian Foor Dharma Satharn Foundation in Thailand — Prof. Dr. Maitree Suttajit and Committee-Secretary Mrs. Linda Anavachakarn and her husband had been invited by President Lin, Chai-Ching of Chong Hua Vegetarian Union (CHVU) for the special trip with the purpose and visit of the site of The Third Asian Vegetarian Congress (AVCIII) to Boa Guang Jian De Organization, I-Kuan Tao, Shen Wei Tian Tai Shan Tao Temple.  Firstly, to advocate vegetarian idea is congenial; secondly, to be delighted to look around, the land possesses over 310 hectares, with sincere, honest, and natural belief, widening their vision on the extremely beautiful and nature landscape; a splendid Holy Tao Temple, in gold and jade on all sides that they viewed, shows solemn, quiet, propitious, vigorous and firm!  After sincerely talked with each other, Dr. Maitree Suttajit suggested to President Lin at once: If we can hold AVCIII at Shen Wei Tian Tai Shan Tao Temple under such complete in all conditions, it may certainly raise its effect to promote high quality on vegetarian idea, also complement each other on the grand international congress.

After President Lin heard Dr. Maitree’s words, readily agreed without hesitation, and heartily expressed, “Here, all is bestowed by the Heavenly Mother (God) and the people devoted themselves and donated their treasures to the magnificent Tao Temple; what is taken from the people, of course, is selflessly used in the interests of the people.   We protect the thing which is beneficial to all earthly virtues and good conduct; furthermore, one of the elements of our faith in God is to be kindness and happy, also firmly pursue the life of the vegetarian benevolence!”  After returned to Thailand, Dr. Maitree with Linda and her husband flied to India and reported all that they saw and thought, and recommended to hold the AVCIII in Taiwan to Mr.Jashu Shah President of Asian Vegetarian Union (AVU).  For this reason, President Shah personally came to Taiwan and inspected it last year, his wife followed him and brought one weeklong vegetarian foods, perhaps he still doubted, “Vegetarianism in Taiwan is really popular?” They were an eyewitness to the economics, culture, social progress, kind and warm people in Taiwan, so far as people are devoutly to the Truth of faith in God here, exactly what “Seeing is believing.”  And the diverse vegetarian culture here presents innovation, individual health, keeping physical and mental in good health, and the natural life.  According to the statistics’ record in 2003, there were about 2 million vegetarians in Taiwan.  He visited some southern vegetarian restaurants, and asked them how many persons came to patronize daily.  They answered almost over 10,000 persons coming and going daily..., so that he contentedly said, “It’s been a worthwhile trip.  I would introduce the location of Shen Wei of Taiwan to the board of directors and members of AVC for making a decision of 3/11/2007~7/11/2007 on AVCIII as scheduled.  I also expect earnestly that AVCIII is sure to succeed; moreover to have chance to be host of The 39th International Vegetarian Union Congress at Shen Wei of Taiwan in 2010 too.”  The identity of members of AVU is with high-grade doctorate scholars, professors of medical college and the researchers of the spiritualization.  If we can gather together, except being in contact with each other from our rich experience and verification for the diverse worth on the Vegetarian territory, we can also coalesce together by the essence of faith to “Maitreya Homeland”; moreover it may promote the international social notability of Taiwan-Formosa as well as domestic science, culture, and sightseeing of visibility in this way.  For the said reasons, President Lin actively rushed about this matter; firstly he cordially invited I-Kuan Tao Headquarter of Taiwan, R.O.C. altogether to sponsor the AVCIII.  He requested competent authorities for a help by duty-bound, worthy commendable friends gave him a hand, and fortunately he also got a high-ranking government official’s assist, established Chong Hua Vegetarian Union (CHVU) at final sprint according to the law.  He certainly undertakes the most he can on this AVCIII, and it is the origin of the 3rd Congress of The Asian Vegetarian Union.

For this good origin, CHVU expresses deeply gratitude and honorable to stride across a national boundary, meanwhile vegetarian idea with AVU and IVU is identical.  May we hand to fist and wish to let the universal vegetarians understand that not only rules of physical and mental health, but also trying to attain a yet higher goal more than that improvement of inherent essence and perfect intension, we therefore, nominate “Chong Hua Vegetarian Union (CHVU)”. ‘Chong’ means sublime; esteem; worship; believe in (a religion); the Doctrine of Mean.  ‘Hua’ means consummate essence; innate character; and nature.  The admission membership must be vegetarian; the reason of the union we apply for is that all living creatures are equal, so that we advocate our purpose that is to be merciful, equal and stop killing; and promote conduct and practice ethics as well as one’s perfect morality; and furthermore much toward the principle of benevolence and loyalty until our ultimate goal to have the universal peace and harmony, and purify an earthly paradise!

CHVU feels grateful as host to Undertakers of I-Kuan Tao Tien Huang Welfare Foundation and Tian Foor Dharma Satharn Foundation in Thailand; our political instructors as below: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kaohsiung City Government and Kaohsiung County Government; and Coordinators as follows: Taiwan Conference on Religion and Peace (TCRP), I-Kuan Tao Taiwan, Taipei & Kaohsiung City branch and each county branch, Maolin National Scenic Area Administration, Tourism Bureau, M.O.T.C., I-Kuan Tao Tian Tai Welfare Foundation, Bao Guang Jian De Organization, Shen Wei Tian Tai Shan Tao Temple, Kaohsiung SHANG-HAI Vegetarian Food Restaurant, Ten In Food Co., Ltd., Taiwan Vegetarian Association, etc.,  We truly appreciate all of above-mentioned units to cooperate with the AVCIII.  AVCIII and CHVU are deeply grateful and remain forever in our heart.  May participants and VIP be satisfied!