Vice President Hsiao: Taiwan's Spirit of Mutual Aid Moves the World

Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim graced the Cihui Temple Mother Goddess Culture Festival in Taipei, an event that brought together numerous community members and highlighted the deep-rooted spiritual traditions of Taiwan. In her address, Hsiao lauded the Cihui Temple's dedication to serving society and praised the Taiwanese people's inherent spirit of mutual assistance, a quality she believes resonates globally and fosters international goodwill.

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Many fellow villagers participated in this religious gathering. Faith gives us the strength to support each other and find stability. Cihui Temple has always been an important local center of faith, transforming religious beliefs into care for the disadvantaged in society. This selfless dedication is the lifeblood that injects vitality into Taiwanese society.

Speaking at the event, Hsiao underscored the role of faith in providing stability and support, particularly noting the Cihui Temple's significance as a local spiritual center. She commended the temple for translating its religious beliefs into tangible care for vulnerable populations, recognizing this selfless dedication as vital to Taiwan's societal vitality. The presence of many young people at the festival was also highlighted as a positive sign for the intergenerational continuation of Taiwanese culture.

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Taiwan, with its beautiful mountains and clear waters, is a blessed land of religion. In this small place, there are different beliefs and people with different ideas and views, but the commonality among everyone is kindness and compassion, which brings us all together.

Hsiao remarked on Taiwan's unique position as a 'blessed land' of diverse beliefs coexisting harmoniously. She emphasized that despite differing viewpoints, a shared sense of kindness and compassion binds Taiwanese society together. In the face of natural disasters, Hsiao stressed the importance of self-reliance and mutual aid, alongside seeking divine blessings, acknowledging the crucial role of temples like Cihui in community support efforts.

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Our country often faces tests from natural disasters. Besides praying for divine protection, we must also help ourselves and each other. Thank you to the temples for their efforts in serving the community. The spirit of mutual assistance among Taiwanese people has also moved other countries around the world, making them more willing to support this nation full of kindness.

Furthermore, Hsiao linked Taiwan's spirit of mutual help to its international standing, suggesting that this altruism makes other nations more inclined to support Taiwan. She also took the opportunity to promote government initiatives, such as the 'Little Orange Book' safety guidelines, and encouraged participation in disaster preparedness training, advocating for public-private collaboration to strengthen Taiwan's resilience. The event, from a Taiwanese perspective, showcases not only religious devotion but also the strong social fabric and proactive community engagement that define the nation.

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The government is also promoting safety guidelines, the 'Little Orange Book.' Thank you to Cihui Temple for supporting disaster prevention talks and teaching disaster preparedness knowledge. I also encourage all fellow villagers to actively participate in disaster prevention training. Only through public-private collaboration can we make Taiwan's safety defenses more robust.