人間通訊社

The sixth Hsing Yun World Humanities Forum was held at Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum on Dec. 10th under the topic, “Witness the Power of Civilization.” There were more than one thousand audience members who came to the discussion. Mr. Li Rui-teng, Chairman of Hsing Yun Global Chinese Literature Award, was the moderator. The panel included Mr. Li Si-duan, anchorman of EBC News; Ms. You Mei-yue, vice president of United Daily News; Professor Chen Fang-ming, University Chair of Graduate Institute of Taiwanese Literature at National Chengchi University; and Mr. Cai Shi-ping, writer and host of a radio and television show.

Mr. Li Rui-teng believes that civilization reflects a state of progress in human society, and requires physical, structural and spiritual conditions for it to be attained. The negative aspects of civilization, like malicious offenses, personal attacks, and racial discrimination, are not what true civilization represents. The right way should be equal treatment and mutual respect among one another. Therefore, the power of civilization requires all of our efforts to accomplish it.

Mr. Li Si-duan believes the power of civilization comes from each person’s actions. He praised Venerable Master Hsing Yun as an implementer of civilization. When each individual is responsible for him/herself and the community, civilization is sustained. Mr. Li gave an example that contrasted the police-civilian relations in the US and those in Taiwan. Because Taiwanese police show understanding and kindness on the job, the public responds to police with respect. The whole society has thus become stabilized. Therefore, Mr. Li reiterated the importance of respect and forgiveness in relation to civilization.

As a media personality, Li holds himself accountable for his own actions and stands by his viewpoints, when he gives critique, he is responsible for his words, and when others give him criticism, he learns to accept, to have self-control and not counterattack, at the same time, supports positive and constructive opinions.

You Mei-yue believes demonstrating the power of goodness is civilization. Even though the advance of the internet media has broken down walls and authority, it has also loosen the restriction of speech and pulling people further apart. Nowadays, anyone can upload information to internet media and it becomes news. The abuse of media had lowered the utmost standard of media. The guideline for media should be, “Never do to others what you don’t want others do to you,” and, “Do good things even though it’s little; don’t do bad things even though it’s little.” News media would screen and verify their news before they are published. Now, he said, as media professionals, we need to make sure that good virtue is being reported. It is everyone’s job to clear media chaos and to reveal the power of goodness, and that is the power of civilization.

Chen Fang-ming emphasized that the power of civilization comes from reading. Reading can broaden one’s view, to be aware of their surrounding, integrate into society, through reading, one can understand the lifestyle of different ethnic groups and their perspectives, as a result, reach out to others, from the quiet nature of reading to actively caring for others. The power of literature comes from people caring for others, and it is also the beginning of the power of civilization. Professor Chen also emphasized the importance of accountability of speech during this free internet age.

Cai Shi-ping asked people to be cautious when thinking about civilization. When mainstream culture excludes a marginalized one, civilization has the possibility to turn into barbarism. Therefore, it is important to include reflection and tolerance within civilization. Focus on the majority; respect the minority. Cai mentioned how one Korean director envied Taiwan’s culture, allowing independent authors, directors, and musicians their creative spaces.

Cai reminded all that civilization, like humans, has two sides. Media can assist in the gathering of public opinions, but it can create bias too. The media needs to promote a positive impact and be the light into the world.

(Translated by Wenjane Ting of BLIA Detroit, USA)