Culture as the life blood of a nation

In celebration of the 50^th anniversary of Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy, Tai Ji Men shifu and dizi travel around the world this year conducting cultural exchange programs to spread the message of love and peace in Asia, Europe and America. In mid-November, they participated in the 17^th International Conference of Chief Justices of the World in India and shared the declarations of An Era of Conscience, taxpayer’s human rights and world citizenship with chief justices and judges from 56 nations. The sharing has received widespread feedbacks. Immediately after the trip to India, the group of 20 people visited Nepal on November 17 at the invitation of Mrs. Sita Devi Yadav, Minister

	The Tai Ji Men Cultural Goodwill Group, led by Dr. Hong Tao-Tze (front right 4), visited Mrs. Sita Devi Yadav (front right 5), Minister of Peace and Reconstruction of Nepal.

of Peace and Reconstruction. The message of love and peace was warmly welcomed by the local Nepal people. The group has visited more than 200 cities in 67 nations around the world.

Nepal is an Asian nation with long history. The origin of Buddhism is where today’s Nepal. Situated in the hills of Himalaya with exotic and mythical legends, Nepal has attracted visitors from all over the place. However an earthquake with 7.3 magnitude hit the country last April 25 and destroyed most ancient buildings in the palace arena, killing more than 6,000 people. After the worst earthquake in 81 years, the nation is now undergoing reconstruction.

In the afternoon of November 17, the group visited Mrs. Sita Devi Yadav, Minister of Peace and Reconstruction in the government building. Mrs. Sita Devi Yadav, taking her office in August, is one of the two female ministers among the 31 ministers in the cabinet. She explained the difficulties and challenges after the civil war and shared the efforts being made in the current stage. Dr. Hong Tao-Tze, Zhang-men-ren of Tai Ji Men, shared the three key factors of peace, which is culture, education and economy. Dr. Hong presented the thesis he delivered in the United Nations and shared the wisdom of tai ji ying and yang in promoting global solidarity. In addition. A crystal dragon symbolic of peace and prosperity was given to pray for successful reconstruction of Nepal and happiness of its people. Minister Yadav was deeply touched when hearing the “Love and Peace” song by the group. She prayed all the best to the group’s mission of love and peace.

Dr. Hong Tao-Tze, Zhang-men-ren of Tai Ji Men (right), in discussion with Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat (left), former Minister of Finance and Foreign Affaires of Nepal.

In the evening of November 17, the group met with Former Minister of Finance and Foreign Affaires of Nepal, Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat, a very prestigious figure in politics and banking. Dr. Hong shared the successes and achievements in the International Conference of Chief Justice of the World and the interactions with world leaders who has rung the Bell of Peace. Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat knows many of the bell-ringers. He has a high regard for the movement of love, peace and conscience promoted by Dr. Hong and wishes great success to the delegation.

The Tai Ji Men Cultural Goodwill Group is composed of Tai Ji Men dizi from various walks of life. They have business men, doctors, nurses,

	Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat (left 5) has a high regard for Dr. Hong’s efforts in promoting love and peace and wishes great success to the delegation.

students, editors, flight attendants, artists, accountants, ex-military and business consultant. They are willing to conduct international cultural exchanges as they recognize the importance of cultural preservations. They have visited ancient cities and sacred places in Buddhism and tried to understand the local culture. The group also promoted the movement of An Era of Conscience in different places, having interactions with local people and international tourists from German, France and Bhutan. In the exchanges of greetings and smiles, a seed of kindness has been planted. People were touched and showed their smiles when seeing the hand gesture of An Era of Conscience from Tai Ji Men dizi and hearing they said “You and Me, Love and Peace”. They were surprised to see such happy people conveying message of love and peace with such friendly smile and greeting. All it takes to be a little angel of love is only a heart.