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From: john davis <vegweb@btinternet.com>
Date: Dec. 24, 2007 6:01
Subject: [ivu-life] Asian Congress report
To: ivu-life@yahoogroups.com
the report below is about the Asian Vegetarian Union Congress, held in Taiwan last month - from 'Bipin Parekh - One of the Delegates from India':
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The Third Asian Vegetarian Congress was held in lush, green 1000 acres of religious, serene atmosphere of I-Kuna Tao, Shen Wei Tai Shan Tao Temple at Kaohsiung, Taiwan during November 03-05' 2007. The conference was attended by more than 7000 delegates. There were 6 delegates from Mumbai and 2 delegates from Goa, thus only 8 delegates from India. There were delegates from other Asian countries in all there were 22 countries were represented as the
delegates. Surprisingly majority of the delegates were Chinese, but there was no difficulty in communicating to each other as there were 150 interpreters came from Singapore.
The arrangements for the congress were par excellent with beautiful and homely accommodation, large and modern auditoria and extremely palatable and unbelievable vegetarian and vegan cuisine. The extremely kind and deeply warm hospitality of the Taiwanese host can't describe in words. The delegates representing more than 25 countries took active participation by way of lecturing and keen interest in deliberations. Each delegate left the congress with a feeling of having gained better and greater insight into vegetarianism. The highly enlightening and informative lectures were in English and Chinese with the facility of rendering Chinese into English. For
the purpose of translation only, 150 young volunteers were invited from Singapore, as the Taiwanese are not very familiar with the English language.
The speeches and papers presented during the congress were scholastic and well prepared, touching the basic theme of the Congress that is "Spiritual Perspectives on Vegetarianism". The following are some of the topics covered at the Congress Development and Activities of Vegetarianism in Asia. Vegetarianism and Religion from the past to the present, Spiritual, Ethical and other aspects of Vegetarianism, Philosophy and practice of Vegetarianism. Vegetarianism for Health, nutrition beauty. Basic Science of Vegetarian food, medical science of vegetarian food, vegetarian food for prevention of Degenerative aging etc. besides the above, a lot many other topics were covered but it is not possible to name them in this brief report.
During the entire congress our Shri Jashubhai Shah was the grand central figure as the organizers were fully aware of his continued association with the vegetarian movement and self-less and uninterrupted services for its promotion and propagation globally since 1957.
Opening ceremony was held in Sports ground in a Olympic manner. There was a march-past of all the 22 countries. More than 7000 delegates were present.
There was a music and surprisingly they had created a poetry for the Third Asian Vegetarian Congress, which was played at that time.
There was a flag hosting of Third Asian Vegetarian Union which was prepared by Dr. Pichai of Thailand. In India we do the opening ceremony by lighting lamp and in Taiwan it was done by ringing the bell. A large size bell was kept and everybody rang the bell to mark the opening ceremony including Master Lin, Jashu Shah and several others. March-past went on for more than one hour and that showed beginning of the Congress.
Likewise, closing ceremony was musical and they provided lot of music, quire music. Flag hosting hosted on the opening ceremony was lower down, folded and was handed over to Indonesians to use the same at the Fourth Asian Vegetarian Congress to be held in Indonesia in 2009.
The closing and opening ceremony was performed on international scale and with a lot of pomp and pageantry with unforgettable events.
The entire congress was praise worthy effort in terms of meticulous
preparation, fulfillment of the objectives set and the clear message of
spiritual roots of Vegetarianism. The memories of the wonderful job done by the organizers will last in the memory for years to come.
Many such congresses be held from time to time so that the message of Vegetarianism can reach everyone on earth.
Bipin Parekh- One of the Delegates.
from India
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