International Taoist Forum, Pulau Pinang Malaysia

Held at Dewan Kompleks Masyarakat Penyayang in Penang, the first of its kind was organised by Lean Wah Thong Chinese Temple in conjunction with 115th Anniversary temple celebration during the feast festival of Tai Shang Lao Jun, the founder of Taoism.

A total of six countries taoist priests and residents from Penang attended the forum. The title of the forum “和谐社会，道在人心”according to a speaker from Malaysia, Professor Yan exlained that every human being has an ego. If we could balance our ego with the Great Dao, the people may maintain peace and harmony without mundane knowledge and desires.

Master Cheng from Malaysia asked the audiences to shake hand with each other. He has observed that many people smiles and shown their friendliness to each other during the hand shake. This is a positive gesture that coincide with the taoist belief “万物负阴而抱阳”. During the hand shake, our inner palm which represent the 'yang' or positive energy closet to each other. On the other hand, our outer palm which represent the 'ying' or negative energy can never meet together. Therefore, he urges our taoist followers to achieve a unity reform in Taoism so that our root of culture can continue to progress.

A question was raised during the forum that less and less people take their faith in Taoism due to financials? According to a speaker from Hong Kong, Master Ceng felt that from the organising of this forum and the float procession which schedule to take place in the next day already planned and acted upon. It shown that our Taoism especially the followers had fulfilled their aspiration to make both events to greater success. He has rejected the calling that money wasn't a big obstacle in the pursue of Taoism belief and practise.

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