The Enlightening Earth Association Taiwan – Introduction
The Enlightening Earth Association Taiwan, established in 2013, is rooted in Taiwan and connects with cultural associations and kindred communities around the world. We promote human well-being and awakening, cultivating joy, benevolence, and compassion, and work to help build Earth into a Pure Land of wisdom, compassion, and joy. We offer the luminous happiness of awakening to the universe, seeking to fulfill the Blissful Earth Trilogy: Awakening Earth, Pure Land Earth, and Cosmic Earth. The key milestones of the Enlightening Earth Association Taiwan are as follows:
- 2013 — The Enlightening Earth Association Taiwan invited Lyonpo Kinzang Dorji, former Prime Minister of Bhutan, and Lyonpo Dago Tshering, former Minister of Home and Cultural Affairs, to Taiwan. In partnership with the Chinese National Federation of Industries, the National Central Library, the Hsin-Yi Foundation, and other organizations, we co-hosted the “2013 Happiness Enterprise Forum” and the “Little Awakening Warriors Forum,” and helped advance efforts to nominate Bhutan’s Fourth King, His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, for the Nobel Peace Prize.
- In September 2013, the Enlightening Earth Association Taiwan co-hosted the grand celebration “Moonlit Yungang: Three Thousand Years” with the World Heritage site of the Yungang Grottoes in Datong, advancing the vision of “Universal Harmony, Human Happiness, and Peace on Earth.”
- 2014 — the Enlightening Earth Association Taiwan donated audio CDs of the “Relaxation Chan Method” to the communities affected by the Kaohsiung August 1 gas explosion, offering emotional and spiritual support for survivors and first responders. In recognition, the Kaohsiung City Fire Department presented a certificate of commendation.
- On Mother’s Day in 2014 and 2015, the Enlightening Earth Association Taiwan partnered with the Taiwan Railway Administration to present the special art exhibition “Mother Is the Thousand-Armed Guanyin,” and to host a 1,000-participant sutra-copying event honoring parents through filial devotion.
- May 2016 — In partnership with the Taiwan Railways Administration, the Enlightening Earth Association Taiwan pioneered the first Guanyin-painted tourist train, embarking on an around-the-island blessing journey across Taiwan.
- September 2016 — In partnership with the Kaohsiung City Government, the Enlightening Earth Association Taiwan co-hosted a blessing event for Kaohsiung, offering prayers for the city’s well-being.
- In May 2018, with support from the Ministry of Culture, the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, and the Kaohsiung City Government, Awakened Earth Taiwan presented the debut of its “Century Great Buddha” exhibition—“The Great Buddha Holds Up a Flower—2018 Earth Spiritual Culture Festival.” The five-day festival drew nearly 100,000 visitors and received the Silver Award (Corporate Event category) at the 2018 Taiwan Event Excellence Awards.
- Later that same year, Zen Master Hung Chi-Sung founded the BuddhAll School in India. The Enlightening Earth Association Taiwan helped rally and coordinate goodwill and charitable support from all sectors to sustain the school. We also advanced an initiative to translate and publish Awakening Never Apart (Awakening Never Apart: Jewel Mirror of the Awakened Heart) in 100 languages worldwide, gifting copies to public agencies and organizations, as well as to hotels and guesthouses near the Buddha’s sacred sites. Pilgrims then carried these editions back to their home countries, helping to accelerate the fulfillment of “Enlightening Earth.”