Japanese Fujianese Overseas Chinese Group Visits Shizhu Mountain in Fuqing, Hoping to Promote the "He Family Nine Immortal Lords" Among the Japanese Chinese Community

Fuqing, Fujian, May 16 (Reported by Zheng Songbo)On the 16th, a delegation led by Wu Qilong, President of the Japanese Fujian Economic and Cultural Promotion Association, along with Executive Vice President Li Yunshu, Vice President and Secretary-General Yu Lianzhu, and Director Yang Liyu, visited Shizhu Mountain in Fuqing, Fujian, for cultural exchange. They were accompanied by Lin Wenqing, President of the Fuqing Huangbo Culture Promotion Association and the Japan Huangbo Culture Promotion Association. The delegation received a warm welcome and hospitality from Xie Rongzeng, Vice President of the Chinese Taoist Association, President of the Fujian Taoist Association, and Abbot of the Shizhu Mountain Taoist Temple in Fuqing。

First, the delegation, accompanied by Taoist Priest Wu of Shizhu Mountain Temple, visited the Guanyin Hall, Xianjun Building, and other areas. Subsequently, Taoist Abbot Xie Rongzeng met with the delegation in the reception hall, where both sides engaged in discussions and exchanges。

Taoist Abbot Xie Rongzeng stated that Taoism is a traditional Chinese religion and an essential component of Chinese traditional culture. The Taoist principles of "following the way of nature" and "being as virtuous as water" hold significant relevance in modern society. Abbot Xie explained that Shizhu Mountain in Fuqing is a "mountain of harmony," integrating Buddhist, Confucian, and Taoist cultures. The He Family Nine Immortals belief forms the core of Shizhu Mountain's Taoist faith and carries a distinct Fujian local identity.As Fujianese immigrants moved overseas, the Nine Immortals belief of Shizhu Mountain spread globally. The unity of the nine He brothers symbolizes the spirit of Chinese people abroad who remain united no matter where they live。

Wu Qilong, President of the Japanese Fujian Economic and Cultural Promotion Association, remarked that Japan is a significant settlement for overseas Fujianese, particularly those from Fuqing. The Fujianese diaspora in Japan eagerly hopes that the Nine Immortals belief from Shizhu Mountain will further spread in Japan, fostering spiritual connection among the overseas community.Especially during the pandemic, the Fujianese community in Japan needs psychological support and solace。

Lin Wenqing, President of the Sino-Japanese Huangbo Culture Promotion Association, noted that the Huangbo culture introduced to Japan by Master Yinyuan of Fuqing has become a new bridge and bond of friendship between China and Japan.He expressed his willingness to support the introduction of the He Family Nine Immortals belief to the Japanese Chinese community, further promoting cultural exchange and friendly interactions between China and Japan。

During the meeting, both parties reached a consensus on the next steps for distributing the Nine Immortals altar from Shizhu Mountain to Chinese communities in Japan for worship and enhancing cultural exchanges related to Shizhu Mountain's Dream Culture between China and Japan。

Fuqing’s Shizhu Mountain, renowned as the “Dreamland of China,” is the birthplace of the culture of dream invocation and realization.Since 2008, the Shizhu Mountain Dream Culture Festival has been held regularly, serving as a cultural bridge. Taoist organizations from Fujian and Taiwan, along with regional groups and temples, have formed friendly alliances. The Nine Immortals altar from Shizhu Mountain has been distributed to various temples in Taiwan for worship, strengthening the ties between the Taoist communities across the Taiwan Strait.In recent years, the Nine Immortals belief of Shizhu Mountain has spread to Indonesia, Japan, the United States, and Hong Kong and Macau in China。

At the beginning of 2018, with the assistance of Liu Lisheng, a Fujianese journalist in Japan, and Lin Guanchao, a Huangbo culture scholar, the Nine Immortals altar from Shizhu Mountain was distributed to a Taoist temple in Tokyo for worship, marking a memorable chapter in cultural exchanges between China and Japan。