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儘管這次世界宗教聯合會議在萬佛聖城只有為期四天，但我總感到和這些會員們心相連繫，因為我們都擁有一顆共同的心意。世界宗教聯合會議有一群非常熱衷的的成員，從世界不同的角落來，就是為了協助宗教團結，而那確是一個值得獎勵的目標；會員們奉獻了他們的時間和金錢來到萬佛聖城，就是為了集聚一堂來討論並達到共識─如何能使世界上的宗教團結。聯合國是為了國際聯盟；而世界宗教聯合會議是為提倡宗教團結。在他們的眼裡互相看到的只有洋溢的希望和關愛，而不是彼此不同的膚色及腔調。這些會員真是令人佩服，並且他們也已經做了很多對世界有益的事。
世界宗教聯合會議在運作上雖然只有五年的光景，但是他們相聚卻已有十年了。我很榮幸能有機會訪問世界宗教聯合會的主席莉達女士（Mrs. Rita Semel）面談，她告訴我所有有關世界宗教聯合會的成立及其目的。她向我證明要讓這世界和平與團結是有辦法，而不是一點也沒有希望。她向我證實有些人已放下不同的意見成立同心會來成就相當多的善行。她向我證明這世界上有許多人希望有宗教交流，讓我驚訝的是，現在在世界宗教聯合會電子網路上簽名的已超過一萬人。就因為有這個面談的機會，讓我看到這世界不同的光明，一道更明亮的光。
今日早晨七點，當我和一些世界宗教聯合會議的會員們散步時，我才有機會更深入瞭解她們。很多會員都下決心將不同宗教信仰暫時擱置，為世界和平而努力，而這唯一的目的，讓我無言以對。今天早上大約九點的時候，女校的一些同學非常幸運的在最後一日引領他們的聖典開幕儀示。我們到達時被帶入會議室，然後儀式開始首先我們教他們一些佛教的咒語，實法師帶大家唱“她引導我”；有一部分是合唱，所以每一個人都被邀請唱。其實我們以前也唱過幾次，但是當世界宗教聯合會的會員們唱時，整個會議室好像被一種無法形容的希望和感動震撼著；有一些人感動而流淚。結束之前，同學們走到會議室的中間，圍成一個圓圈面向外行鞠躬禮，會員們也回禮並說“阿彌陀佛”，這一刻真是不可思議！我猜想當時每一位都感受到那股力量湧入整個會議室，很快的，大多數人包括我自己都淚水盈眶了。繼而我們釋懷而笑。在準備離開的時候，會員們叫住我們並紛紛發送禮物和拍照。在那一剎那，我所看到的每個人都是因歡喜而泣，那淚水中不是憎恨和痛苦。我會永遠都記得這一天。
連日來，世界宗教聯合會在多方面改變了我；雖然只有短短的日子，但我認識了幾位會員，我們都同意繼續保持連繫。現在他們都已離去了，我還是忍不住地懷念他們。因為我真的非常感激。他們所做的一切，不僅是幫助了我，更為了整個世界。
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Despite the fact that members of the United Religions Initiative (URI) were only here for four days, I really felt that I made a deep connection with them. We all shared the same heart. The URI are a terrific bunch of people. They have come from all over the world just to help bring religions together, and that is truly a goal worth commending. They had given up a lot of their time and money to come to CTTB, to get together and reach a consensus on how to bring interfaith to the world. The United Nations (UN) brings nations together, but the URI brings religions together. These people do not see the color and accents of their fellow global council members. They only see the hope and love glowing in the eyes of their friends. These people are truly amazing and have done a lot to help the world.
Even though the URI has only technically been in existence for five years, their members have actually been together for ten years. I received the honor of interviewing the chairperson of the URI, Mrs. Rita Semel. She told me all about the founding of the URI, and its purpose. She showed me that the world is actually capable of peace and unity, and that there is still much hope for the world. She also demonstrated to me that there are many people who have put aside their differences and come together to form Cooperation Circles, which have done a tremendous amount of good deeds. And she showed me that the world does want interfaith. I was amazed to find out that 10,000 people have already signed the URI Charter. Just meeting her made me look at the world in a different light, a brighter and more hopeful light.
I went on a walk with a few of the global council members this morning at 7:00 am. I got the chance to get to know quite a few of the members. Many of them have made a resolve to promote interfaith and bring peace to the world and that sole purpose renders me speechless. Later on this morning at about 9:00 am, some students from the Girls’ School were blessed with the opportunity of leading the Sacred Opening on the last day. When we arrived, we were escorted into their meeting room and the ceremony began. We taught them a few mantras and Dharma Master Heng Sure taught everyone how to sing, “She Carries Me.” During “She Carries Me” there is a chorus and everyone was invited to sing. We’ve sung it a few times before but when the URI sang it, it was as if the whole room was shaking with indescribable hope and passion. Quite a few people were moved so much that they broke into tears! When it came time for the closing, the students went into the middle of the room and formed an outward circle and bowed. The council members were on their feet and bowing back and saying, “A-mi-to-fo” to us. It was such an incredible moment. Everyone felt the positive energy nestled into that one room, and soon, a majority of the people were in tears, including myself. Then everyone began laughing and when we were about to leave, the URI council members stopped us and showered gifts upon us, autographed of course. At that moment I could see that everyone was happy, because all the tears were tears of joy and happiness, not tears of hatred or pain. I will always remember this day.
The URI has changed me in many ways. During their short stay, I got to know quite a few of the members, and we all agreed to stay in touch. Unfortunately, they are gone now but I still can’t stop thinking about them. I can’t thank them enough for what they’ve done for me and for the entire world.
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