緣起於「媽祖事件」的佛教界「聯合文告」
  
 

   近來備受各界關注的沙巴州古達「媽祖事件」，雙方人士皆各有說辭。五月七日上午十一時，沙巴州首席部長邀請沙巴各宗教界領袖出席一項閉門會議。據悉亞庇區有十二個佛教團體受邀出席。 

     寂靜禪林住持開印比丘於五月六日晚上七時，假亞庇慈音寺召集有關佛團，針對相關課題進行討論與統合意見。十個代表出席的佛團是：寂靜禪林信託基金會、大愛道比丘尼信託基金會、亞庇彌陀寺、馬佛青沙州聯委會、沙巴與納閩聯邦直轄區佛教基金會、國際佛光會沙巴協會、佛教慈濟功德會馬來西亞沙巴聯絡處、沙巴佛教會、亞庇佛教居士林普陀寺、亞庇慈音精舍佛法研修會（慈音寺）。 

   大家齊聚一堂為維護宗教自由、社會和諧而集思廣義。以下的「聯合文告」，是這一場交流會後的具體成果，它不只代表我們的立場，也展現出佛教的團結、和合。(註：這一項文告在首長會議後，已再修訂，並發佈於東、西馬各大中、英、巫報章。)

聯合文告
   在國家憲法上，馬來西亞是一個多元種族與宗教自由的國家，而華人社會也有不同的宗教信仰。若能讓各宗教並存，和諧共處，即顯出馬來西亞在國際平台上的特色與包容性。在今天的對話中，我們對首席部長再三的對上述做出保障感到欣慰。首長透過增加常年宗教及教育撥款，以證明他的誠意。

   在正常情況下，政府的任何決策和實施應該保持其一貫性。當然我們也不排除非常特殊情況的可能性。聆聽過首席部長今天解說的媽祖造像停工事件，我們對整個事件也有了進一步的了解。 

   關於媽祖事件，身為宗教團體的一份子，我們感同身受。我們會密切關注整個事件的發展，並吁請大家理性的看待這件事，也希望州政府和媽祖籌委會能誠懇協商，以謀求一個圓滿的解決方案。我們呼籲相關人士停止將此課題政治化，以維護種族和平共處及宗教和諧。 

寂靜禪林信託基金會
亞庇慈音精舍佛法研修會（慈音寺）
佛教慈濟功德會馬來西亞沙巴聯絡處
亞庇彌陀寺
亞庇佛教居士林普陀寺
國際佛光會沙巴協會
馬佛青沙州聯委會
沙巴佛教會
大愛道比丘尼信託基金會
沙巴與納閩聯邦直轄區佛教基金會

………………………

曾郁文局紳
沙巴與納閩聯邦直轄區佛教基金會主席

JOINT STATEMENT 

The Malaysian Federal Constitution guarantees the freedom of religion in our multi-ethnic and multi-religious nation. Members of the Chinese community have many different religious beliefs and practices. We should encourage the peaceful co-existence of different religions to promote mutual respect, understanding and harmony to build a better society in Sabah, and in Malaysia as a whole. We are happy the YAB Chief Minister has given us the above reassurances. He has proven his conviction through the increased allocation of annual grants to the schools, temples and churches. 

Under ordinary circumstances, any government administrative decision should always be consistent. This will instill public confidence in the government. Of course we do not rule out the possibility of exceptional circumstances. In the case of the stoppage of the construction of the Mazu statue, the YAB Chief Minister has clarified the reasons during the meeting and has given us a better understanding of the situation. 

As religious bodies, we empathize with the Mazu Foundation being put in such a difficult position. Nevertheless, we will closely observe the development of the matter. We call on all parties concerned to view the matter rationally. We sincerely hope the State Government and the Mazu Foundation will seek an amicable solution. Above all, we urge all the parties concerned to avoid politicizing the issue in the interest of upholding inter-religious harmony and peaceful co-existence.  

Jointly issued by:
1.          The Registered Trustees of Santavana Forest Hermitage
2.          KK Tzer Ying Buddhism Research Society
3.          Buddhist Tzu Chi Merit Society Malaysia
4.          K.K Amitaba Monastery
5.          Pertubuhan Ugama Buddha Che Sze Lim KK
6.          BLIA Buddhist Association Sabah & F.T. Labuan
7.          Young Buddhist Association of Malaysia Sabah State Liaison Committee
8.          Persatuan Buddhist Sabah
9.          The Registered Trustees of The Maha-Prajapati Bhiksuni Foundation
10.        Buddhist Foundation of Sabah & The Federal Territory Of Labuan 

Signed 

……………………………………
Tsen Nyuk Vun JP
Chairman
Buddhist Foundation of Sabah & The Federal Territory Of Labuan