Reverend Monsignor Ambrose Madtha
Chargé d'Affaires, a.i.
Apostolic Nunciature
87 Ai Kuo East Road
106 Taipei, Taiwan R.O.C.
Your Eminence,
I have read of His Holiness Pope John Paul II's passing on April 3, 2005. I am very pained by this news. The Pope's passing is our world's loss. He was a religious leader for all humankind whose unwavering commitment to promoting world peace and whose engagement in interreligious dialogue have been greatly felt all over the world. I believe people of all religions, all countries and all races will commemorate him forever.
I met with His Holiness Pope John Paul II personally in Vatican City in 1997. I will never forget that meeting with the Pope. His wisdom and compassion have opened the heavy door to pluralistic dialogue and tolerance among people of all religions. This is a legacy for humankind that will forever be in this world.
I would like to represent the more than one million followers of Dharma Drum Mountain worldwide in extending our condolences on the Pope's passing.
Respectfully yours,
Master Sheng Yen, Founder
Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Association
Chan
Master Sheng Yen's Letter of Condolence to the Vatican