Ion Ștefanovici, CAPDR: A Meeting of Spiritualities – From Hangzhou, China: A Thought of Ascension for the Heroes of the Nation
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Chinese Spirituality Day within the CAPDR Delegation – Reflection, Harmony, and Continuity
While the CAPDR delegation follows a dense itinerary of strategic cooperation and international outreach, a special day during the visit to China was dedicated to spirituality and reflection. Providentially, this day coincided with the Ascension of the Lord – a celebration of the Orthodox Christian faith – and Heroes’ Day, a moment when the Romanian people honor the memory of those who fought and sacrificed for freedom and identity.
In the spiritual heart of Hangzhou, among age-old temples and hills wrapped in greenery, the delegation stepped into a space of tranquility and remembrance: the Lingyin Scenic Area, a complex of sacred sites that includes the Lingyin, Taoguang, Yongfu temples, the traditional Fayun Village, and the stone carvings of Feilai Feng – a true sanctuary of the Chinese soul.
Lingyin – “Temple of the Soul’s Retreat”
Founded in 328 AD, Lingyin Temple is one of the oldest Buddhist centers in China. Steeped in history and the meaningful silence of meditation, the temple reflects the same search for verticality and inner peace that defines the Christian Ascension – a symbol of man’s rise above earthly conditions through faith and sacrifice.
Fayun Village – Living Tradition in the Heart of Nature
At the foot of the sacred hills, Fayun preserves the values of a mountain community: simplicity, communion with nature, respect for the cycles of life. This harmony is reminiscent of Romanian villages which, on Ascension Day, remember their heroes to the sound of church bells and the scent of basil.
Taoguang & Yongfu – Temples of Memory and Wisdom
Taoguang Temple, a retreat place of the immortals in Taoist tradition, and Yongfu Temple, considered the most blessed site in the Qiantang region, offer not only impressive panoramas but also spaces of silence where time seems suspended. Just like a wooden cross on a Romanian hill, these places fill the visitor with a profound, inexpressible emotion.
Feilai Feng – Pilgrimage for Truth
The millennia-old sculptures of monks who set out for India to bring back the sacred scriptures of Buddhism are a symbolic equivalent of sacrifice: a long journey, hardship, and a purpose beyond oneself. An image that deeply resonates with the faces of Romanian soldiers on the crosses in heroes’ cemeteries – all seekers of a higher truth.
The Symbol 福 – Prosperity and Peace
The character “福” (fu), in bright red, surrounded by blooming hydrangeas, is an iconic image of the day. It concludes the spiritual journey with a tone of blessing – a promise of hope, much like the roadside crosses in Romanian villages, where locals light a candle for those who have passed on.
A Thought from China for Romania
“From the spiritual gardens of Hangzhou, we send a thought of Ascension to all those who today remember the heroes of the nation with dignity. In a world of transformation, spiritual continuity and respect for sacrifice remain the deep bond that unites civilizations.”
— Ion ȘTEFANOVICI, President of CAPDR
