BLIA Participates in COP31 Panel Discussion on Inner Strength and Climate Resilience

By Pu Da and Rong Feng | Antalya, Türkiye

On November 9, Kwong Djee Chan, Vice Committee Director of BLIA World Headquarters Lay Dharma Lecturer/Teacher Fellowship Committee, and Ailun Wei, Deputy Director of BLIA United Nations Affairs Committee, represented Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) to participate in a panel discussion at the invitation of Brahma Kumaris held in the Green Zone of the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31) engaging in exchange with representatives from different countries on consciousness, community, food sovereignty, and climate resilience and also sharing Fo Guang Shan’s experience in providing spiritual support through its global network of temples.

The panel discussion, titled “Consciousness, Community, Food Sovereignty, and Climate Resilience,” was organized by Brahma Kumaris, a women-led spiritual organization founded in India approximately 90 years ago. The organization has long been dedicated to promoting inner awakening and social harmony.

Shantanu Mandal, Brahma Kumaris’ food coordinator representative, delivered the introductory remarks. Maureen Goodman, the organization’s Chief Representative at the Climate Summit, shared her personal experience of having her passport revoked due to international disputes. She explained how faith helped her find inner peace during difficult times, emphasizing that true resilience begins with inner stability. Aneta Lok, a representative from the Netherlands, reflected on her experience of living away from her homeland, sharing how personal conviction and faith helped her gradually overcome homesickness and develop the resilience needed to face life's challenges.

BLIA Lay Dharma Lecturer Kwong Djee Chan shared that Venerable Master Hsing Yun, Founder of Fo Guang Shan, once described Fo Guang Shan temples around the world as “Spiritual refueling stations.” Drawing on his personal experience living in Australia, Chan explained that Chung Tian Temple in Brisbane has served as an important source of spiritual refuge and support in his life. Through his compassionate vows, Venerable Master Hsing Yun established a global network of temples that not only provides spiritual support for overseas Chinese communities but also offers people of diverse backgrounds spiritual comfort and inner peace while living far from home.

During the conference, a number of participants approached the BLIA representatives to engage in exchanges. Zhang Yufan, who had previously taken Refuge in the Triple Gem at Dajue Temple in China, approached to recognize a Buddhist connection with the delegation in BLIA uniforms with her refuge certificate. Ruth Naughton Linett, a student from the United States who had spent two weeks studying at Fo Guang Shan Monastery in Taiwan, was delighted to meet fellow Buddha’s Light members. She also inquired about the BLIA booth and expressed interest in participating.  In addition, a representative from Syria expressed interest in the environmental initiatives promoted by Fo Guang Shan and BLIA worldwide, engaging in further discussions with the delegation about their practical experiences in environmental protection.