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1st December, 1999
Dear Dr. Howard Sulkin, Chair, CPWR Board of Trustees,
Please allow me to and please allow me to represent myself to most sincerely send our regards and ardent congratulations to all participants, for convening this sacred Parliament. It carries a special meaning in convening this Parliament session nearing the end of the twentieth century, at the moment of the turn of the century. Looking back at the Century The 20th century, which is going to become a part of the past, is an extraordinary century. The twentieth century is the most glorious century in the course of human history. In the first half of this century, there were worldly scale wars. However, what people can be proud of is that wars were eventually stopped by mankind's notion and effort for peace. All mankind's peaceful efforts have all along been aimed at ending all regional wars of the world. In the latter half of the 20th century, up to the ending of Kosovo crisis, it was evident that the effort of mankind in striving for peace has succeeded. Mankind's scientific achievement in the 20th century was even more impressive. Many epoch-making scientific advancements took place in this century. The era of electronics, digital, space, aviation, atomic (nuclear), Buddhist revolutionary, replication of living organs etc, the century has been given too many era names, derived from the plentiful extraordinary performance which resulted in an ever heightened leap of the value of existence of mankind. Each one of us can proudly describe to our descendants that: It was a glorious era. Within this 20th century which:-
we cherish the memory of,History nurtured us, we created history. Each one of us seriously participated in and shared the development of human civilization of the twentieth century. 20th century is a monumental great era. All mankind hold the opinion that the last hours of 31st December, 1999 should carry a significance. In fact, like any other point in time, there is nothing special about it. However, also like any other point in time, it might burst forth highly brilliant bright spots, illuminating all humanity to an entirely new look. At this ordinary but very special midnight, all mankind will, with heads raised and shoulders squared, proudly stride into 21st century. War or Peace In the 21st century, owing to the development of high technology, space technology will be the leading technology in war weaponry. Nuclear, biochemical and bionic weaponry (like robots controlled by bionic intelligent computers) will function in future wars. All mankind are going to face the important choice between war and peace, destruction and co-existence. Various religions predict what they call the end of the world. Although the universe has had various disasters, the end of the world has not actually begun. Whether the end of the world will arrive or not, in the next two thousand years, in fact depends on mankind's own choice. "Consciousness" Revolution 21st century is the great century of "consciousness" revolution. "Consciousness" revolution will give rise to fundamental advancements in life science, the rapid development of which will break new ground. "Consciousness" revolution will include two major aspects. With improvement and progress of religious science, consciousness science and spiritual science, human's deep level consciousness developed, potentials of the human body will be further discovered. The other aspect lies with the crystallization of artificial intelligence, computer science uniting with the human brain. A lot of science fantasies of 20th century are going to be realized in the 21st century. Under the study of science of the human body, phenomena like supernatural power, mind functions etc, though being doubted for over a millennium, will no longer be a controversial subject. It can be objectively understood and monitored and will be a common knowledge held by everybody. Methods for training supernatural power and mind functions, which involve inner reflection and clear understanding of wisdom of the universe, will be effectively applied for the uplifting of quality of life for humanity and perfecting levels of ethics. The authenticity of "operators" of supernatural powers and mind functions will be correctly appraised by computers. I hereby predict that the achievements of consciousness revolution will bring forth to the physical world a comprehensive, thorough, extensive and new scientific revolution. Within consciousness revolution, religious science will be one of the key elements. Super-intelligent Computers The new century is near. In the next millennium, robots with computers as control centres (computerized humanoid) would become more refined. Intelligence, feeling and disposition will be reflected on these computerized humanoids. Man uniting with computer or robots may generate immortal combined life forms. In the case of these super ordinary constructed scientific men where components can be replaced, super humans are formed. They possess super wisdom and the ability to re-organize their own lives. In the next fifty years, human brain nerve units will link up with computers, information of the brain can reside in independent external information banks. Prototypes realizing this tentative idea may be available in the next twenty years or even earlier. Thus, it is possible that brand-new methods would be used in curing various diseases. However, what is worth considering is a series of unfair competition brought along by high technology. How can human life span be compared with that of machines? Beware of Hackers Life, bio and computer technology might lead mankind to a new crisis of unfair competition. Once brain information banks are established outside the human body, the individuals' thinking and private matters are prone to be intruded by computer hackers. Future governments, religions, immoral organizations, terrorist organizations and totalitarian nations might apply high technology, using robots organized and constructed of micro-computers, to invade into human bodies for attaining their aim to rule over others. Therefore, while the whole mankind are sharing and enjoying the fruit of science, they should also be fully rational in recognizing that scientific achievements can also bring in negative impacts. This recognition will facilitate mankind to actively and effectively make science work for the advancement, safety, prosperity and well-being of the human race. Contributing Ideology Even though mankind produces robots of high intelligence, we would need to let them learn the notion of human benevolence and compassion and establish bodhicitta (the determination to attain Buddhahood to help sentient beings). We should also educate them to effectively avoid the evil. When mankind are approaching the twenty-first century, as religious people, we should contribute more ideas to humanity. We should offer more directives in spiritual life. This is the common need of mankind in improving life, controlling life and uplifting the quality of life and, hand in hand together, enter the ideal future. I hereby predict that, with the joined effort of all mankind, love, peace, benevolence, compassion, bodhicitta and wisdom of prajna sunyata nature will become the most important achievements of humanity, which are to be shared. Here, Cape Town of South Africa, is where the torch of the life of ideology of the 21st century is ignited. Therefore, I wish the 1999 Parliament of the World's Religions in Cape Town, South Africa, a fulfilling success.
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