Venerable Miao Jing Shares a Vision of Peace at Interfaith Prayer Gathering for UN International Day of Peace

By Xi Chen, Life News Agency, Manila, Philippines

In observance of the United Nations International Day of Peace, the Rotary Club of Makati Premier District held an interfaith prayer gathering on September 21, 2026, at the Asia Pacific College Auditorium. The club’s 2026–2027 President, Sharon M. Vaswani, specially invited Venerable Miao Jing, Abbess of Fo Guang Shan Mabuhay Temple, to join approximately 300 religious and community leaders in offering prayers for world peace.

Following the opening remarks and introduction of guests, representatives of different faith traditions took turns offering prayers and blessings for peace according to their respective religious practices. The gathering was filled with a solemn and harmonious atmosphere.

Rotary District Governor Jasmin Limon delivered a keynote address highlighting the theme of the 2026 Peace Forum. She emphasized that one of the foundations of peacebuilding is “empowering communities through service.” She also introduced eight pillars for creating lasting and meaningful impact, encouraging participants to transform the ideals of peace into concrete action and to work together toward a better future.

In her remarks, Venerable Miao Jing introduced the Three Acts of Goodness advocated by Venerable Master Hsing Yun, founder of Fo Guang Shan: Do Good Deeds, Speak Good Words, and Think Good Thoughts. She also shared the Four Givings—Give Others Confidence, Give Others Joy, Give Others Hope, and Give Others Convenience—explaining that these principles provide practical ways to work toward the Five Harmonies: Inner Harmony, Family Harmony, Mutual Respect, Social Harmony, and World Peace.

Venerable Miao Jing also introduced the TAG hand gesture, which symbolizes the Three Acts of Goodness. The gesture resembles both a coin and the familiar “OK” sign while also representing TAG culture. By promoting the TAG gesture, children and young people can be encouraged to develop self-discipline from an early age and use the gesture as a friendly reminder to practice goodness in daily life. Through these small but meaningful actions, schools and families can become safer and more peaceful environments.

Venerable Miao Jing then invited everyone to learn and practice the Three Acts of Goodness hand gesture together. The interactive activity filled the gathering with joy and positive energy, turning the message of peace into a simple action that participants could carry into their everyday lives.

The event concluded with a collective Declaration of Peace and a group photo. The interfaith gathering brought together people of different religious and community backgrounds around a shared aspiration for peace. In an atmosphere of mutual respect and harmony, participants expressed their hope that seeds of goodness and peace could take root throughout society, strengthening bonds of goodwill that transcend religious traditions and national boundaries.