At the beginning of the week, on Monday, March the 9th at 8:00 am, we waited for the car that would pick us up to meet Dr. Seade at the embassy residence. A sunny morning he would accompany us throughout our visit to the temple of 百韵观 bǎi yùn guàn: Temple of the White Cloud. At 8:30 a.m., we departed toward the east of 北京 běi jīng to meet up with the Daoist Association of China’s board. Along the way, we discussed our research on the relationship between Mexico and China since ancient times, as well as various topics of general interest, to help us get into the spirit of this long-awaited day.
We arrived at the temple door where waiting for our arrival was the entourage: 郭汉文 道长 guō hàn wén dào cháng vice president of the Daoist Association of China, 匡盛 kuāng shèng general secretary, 李信军道长 lǐ xìn jūn dào cháng abbot of the temple and 冯鹤女士 féng hè nǚ shì responsible for the Secretariat of the World Federation of Daoism (WFD) and director of the International Affairs Department of the Daoist Association of China with their assistants. In this cheerful atmosphere, we began our visit with the abbot explaining all the important architectural and cultural features kept within this significant site. Upon entering, Ambassador Seade and the Embassy’s Director of Cultural and Tourism Affairs, Azucena Cardosa, touched the enigmatic monkey for good luck and fortune.
The explanation was so detailed that the ambassador and his companion were amazed to receive such knowledge about 风水fēng shui, architecture, and philosophy. So great was the joy that we all participated in tossing coins, trying to ring the bell for good luck. Once inside the temple, the deity 王灵官 wáng líng guān: the official who guards the gates of heaven, was presented. The ambassador commented on the position of the statue’s third eye. These solemn moments and profound exchanges confirmed the ambassador’s extensive knowledge.
We continued visiting room after room where our hosts presented the altars, vestments, and instruments used in ceremonial practices. One of the highlights of the visit was the explanation and unveiling of the hall of our patriarch, 邱长春 qiū cháng chūn, where his great journey westward in search of peace is depicted. There, the ambassador, astonished, inquired about the feelings surrounding the great Mongol conqueror, 成吉思汗 chéng jí sī hán: Gengis Kan, whom he considers the initiator of the Renaissance in Central Europe and, consequently, in the rest of the world. After this touching moment, we visited the temple’s relics area, a museum normally closed to the general public but opened specifically for our ambassador. These historical moments brought back memories for our ambassador about his youth studying the 易经yì jīng and his deep interest in Chinese culture from a young age.
We walked to the back of the temple, where the grand master of 太极拳 tài jí quán, master 蒋师莫 jiǎn shī mò was waiting for us.
We witnessed a magnificent demonstration of this ancient martial art, which astonished everyone present. The visit had ended, and we were invited to gather in the temple’s reception hall. It was time for formal introductions, speeches, expressions of gratitude, and the exchange of gifts. The ambassador began by offering beautiful words of gratitude for the warm welcome and the excellently conducted visit. The Vice President of the Daoist Association of China, 郭汉文 道长 guō hàn wén dào cháng, then spoke, thanking the delegation from the Daoist Association of Mexico for their presence and emphasizing the importance of the World Federation of Daoism (WFD) in spreading Daoism throughout the world. At this point, I delivered a concise speech explaining the purpose of the meeting, the shared interest in uniting our two great cultures, and concluding with the paramount importance of seeking peace and harmony among all people. The speeches concluded with General Secretary 匡盛 kuāng shèng, who provided an overview of the WFD’s constitution, highlighting the significant role of the Daoist Association of Mexico in this movement and sharing the vision of Daoism with future generations.
At the end of this reception, the ambassador wanted to add some beautiful words about the union of our countries and try to create an image that solves a difficulty, in response to a comment made during the presentation: «The Pacific Ocean separates our two countries.» To this, he replied: «This ocean is more like a river; we have to build the bridges that unite us.» This image clearly shows that difficulties always have a solution; it just depends on the perspective from which we approach them. After this wonderful meeting, we were invited to have lunch at the temple’s restaurant, a vegetarian meal full of flavors and textures that brought us closer to the concept of 养生 yǎng shēng: cultivation of life, once again demonstrating that «we are what we eat.»
A great moment for the history of these two cultures, the beginning of a relationship that thrives on the drive to cultivate the spirituality of humanity.
