Formosa
Nationwide Efforts Promoting Going Vegan to Save the Planet Compiled by Formosan News Groups (Originally in Chinese)
[Formosa] Due to the ever-escalating problem of global-warming, Supreme Master Ching Hai has become deeply concerned about the well-being of our planet and her inhabitants. Thus, at several international climate-change conferences She has appealed to Earth’s citizens to help solve the crisis by adopting the organic vegan lifestyle. Master has also written letters to clothing and food producers who use animal-based materials, urging them to abandon this cruel method of production and switch to the compassionate use of sustainable, organic agricultural products to bring peace and joy to the world. More than 200,000 copies of the letters have been mailed or personally delivered by fellow initiates to people in these industries. Motivated by Master’s great compassion, Formosan initiates have stepped up their efforts to share the Be Veg, Go Green, to Save the Planet message. In addition to distributing thousands of SOS flyers and instructional materials, including the book From Crisis to Peace: The Organic Vegan Way is the Answer, they have also held seminars and The Noble Wilds Photo Exhibitions for school groups, businesses and organizations. These efforts have been warmly received and have generated considerable interest in going veg to save the planet. Below are some examples of developments that point to a growing love for the earth and greater respect for life in Formosan society. Vegetarian Lunches Well Received in Schools
Mr. Lin Tsong-ming, Deputy Minister of Education
The Formosan Ministry of Education has encouraged schools at all levels to offer vegetarian lunches to students once a week. As of 2011, the suggestion had been accepted by 93 percent of Formosa’s schools, with the rate reaching 100 percent in 11 counties and cities. Seventeen of these schools now provide two or more vegetarian lunches a week. Government Departments Take the Lead Formosa’s Environmental Protection Agency has asked local governments to launch a weekly vegetarian lunch initiative, the success of which will be considered in the Agency’s assessment of local environmental efforts. The Tainan Environmental Protection Bureau has set a great example with more than 95 percent of its employees eating vegetarian lunches. The Kaohsiung City Government now mandates that only vegetarian meals be served at Monday meetings and has instructed all departmental directors and school principals to take the lead in promoting Meatless Monday. Celebrities Join the Campaign
Former Vice-President Annette Lu demonstrates vegetarian cooking at the Green 21 Carnival held at the National Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Taipei.
On October 23, 2011, the eve of United Nations Day, the Taiwan Heart Organization, founded by former Vice-President Annette Lu Hsiu-lien, held the Green 21 Carnival at the National Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Taipei. Citizens and groups concerned about the environment were invited to participate in the event. The idea was to integrate the strengths of the public and corporate sectors as well as social and religious groups to share the United Nations’ appeal for Three Less—eat less meat, drive less and waste less—and to encourage people to act accordingly to save Formosa and the planet. Ms. Lu also established the Green 21 League of Taiwan to advocate Be Veg, Go Green, to Save the Planet, and named the year 2012 Formosa Green Year One to encourage all citizens to support the Three Less lifestyle. In addition, the former VP organized a green, healthy banquet for a thousand guests to enhance public awareness of the livestock industry as the main driver of global warming and to inform people about eating less meat. Deputy Minister of Education Lin Tsong-ming has been promoting the vegan diet at universities across Formosa. In his speech at the opening ceremony of the 2011 Global Buddhist Congregation in India, Mr. Lin shared his experiences in this effort and received a warm response from the event’s 900-plus delegates from 46 countries. A longtime vegetarian, Legislator Lin incorporated the Be Veg, Go Green, to Save the Planet message into his election platform. His appeal for compassion won the support of many voters, and we congratulate him on his re-election to office. Several Formosan enterprises have committed themselves to promoting organic farming, leading the country to a new stage of sustainable agriculture. Also, many performing artists and entertainers now follow a plant-based diet and boycott the use of animal fur, based on their love for our fellow beings, and for environmental and health considerations. Many media outlets have also made it their mission to promote the vegan lifestyle. For example, three times a week, Miaoli Cat Beaver Radio broadcasts programs on spiritual teachings and Be Veg, Go Green, to Save the Planet, presenting stories about wonderful people and events as well as inspirational lectures by Supreme Master Ching Hai. Kaohsiung Happy Radio interviewed our fellow initiates on topics related to global warming, while also introducing Supreme Master Television and the humanitarian work being done around the world by Her and The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association. The SOS logo designed by our initiates appears daily at the top of the front page of the Penghu Daily News, which also carries information urging people to Be Veg, Go Green, to Save the Planet. The Penghu Times has published many public announcements from the local Environmental Protection Bureau on Be Veg, Go Green, encouraging citizens to work together to save their homes and planet Earth. *************************************************** A Warm Welcome for Former Philippine President Ramos By Taipei News Group (Originally in Chinese)
[Taipei] During a recent visit to Formosa, Gusi Peace Prize laureate and former President of the Philippines, Mr. Fidel V. Ramos, graciously accepted an invitation from The Supreme Master International Association to attend a European-style vegan dinner at the Da An Organic Complex of Loving Hut in Taipei.
Our Association members hold an advance birthday celebration for Mr. Ramos
The list of honored guests for the event, held on March 8, Golden Year 9 (2012), included Formosa’s Deputy Minister of Education Lin Tsong-ming and his wife, as well as many distinguished Philippine dignitaries. While enjoying the sumptuous feast, the guests heard musical performances by our Association members. Mr. Ramos showed a keen interest in the dishes served that evening, asked for detailed information on the ingredients and requested that notes be jotted down for him in English. Our Association members also celebrated Mr. Ramos’s 84th birthday in advance with a huge vegan birthday cake, non-alcoholic champagne, and birthday gifts including Amoura Night Lights.
Mr. Ramos posing for a photo with the group
To express his gratitude for the warm reception, Mr. Ramos later wrote a letter to our Association, stating, “Indeed, the humanitarian work which your Association has done over the years and continues to do, has touched, saved and uplifted the lives of thousands of people in the Philippines and other countries. While our work to serve our country and people is far from over and new challenges will continue to confront us, it is comforting to know that there are organizations like yours, which we can depend on, for the attainment of our common aspirations of enduring peace, shared prosperity, and a better quality of life for all our people.”
| Letter of appreciation from Mr. Ramos
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