Cultures transcend national boundaries: We are one world
The Puntarenas Commission from Costa Rica visits Tai Ji Men
2015-05-02
The Puntarenas Commission from the Municipality of Puntarenas of Costa Rica and Tai Ji Men members make the hand gesture of conscience in support of the movement of An Era of Conscience.
The Chinese Tomb Sweeping Festival and Easter coincided on April 5, 2015. On this important day in both Chinese and Western cultures, from Costa Rica, known as the Switzerland of Central America, the Puntarenas Commission especially paid a visit to Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy in Los Angeles, California, U.S.A. to conduct cultural exchanges.
Led by Mr. Randall Chavarria, president of the Municipality of Puntarenas, the capital city of the Province of Puntarenas in Costa Rica, the Puntarenas Commission visited Tai Ji Men, an ancient menpai (similar to school) of qigong, martial arts, and self-cultivation, to experience the quintessence of traditional Chinese culture. As soon as the commission stepped into the academy, they were warmly received by Tai Ji Men members. Following an ancient ritual, Tai Ji Men members served Tai Ji Men’s unique ""kung fu tea."" The commission members were invited to maintain the horse stance while sipping fragrant Chinese tea, and they felt impressed with this tea ritual, containing the spirit of martial arts.
Tai Ji Men member Pamela Chen (left), on behalf of Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, president of Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy, presents to Mr. Randall Chavarría (right), president of the Municipality of Puntarenas, a Chinese lucky charm with the words
Afterwards, the commission members were invited to watch short videos about Tai Ji Men’s trips of cultural exchanges across the planet. In the past 10 plus years, led by Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, Zhang-men-ren (leader) of Tai Ji Men, Tai Ji Men members have toured around the five continents of the world, conducting cultural exchanges to enhance mutual understanding among people and nations and spread the ideas of love and peace. Since its inception, Tai Ji Men has never received public donations; Tai Ji Men members have used money out of their own pockets to fund all the trips and events. After viewing the videos, president of the Municipality of Puntarenas said that he was very honored to visit Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy and was moved to tears by what Tai Ji Men did. He said that the community of Puntarenas is willing to improve itself in many ways and Tai Ji Men has set a great example for his community to follow. Since the municipality of Puntarenas is at the forefront of the development of Costa Rica, he is willing and eager to lead his community to grow and build international friendships with people from other nations.
The Puntarenas Commission members are having Tai Ji Men’s unique “kung fu tea.” Ms. Noemy Monge (left), Mr. Randall Chavarría, president of the Municipality of Puntarenas (middle), and Mr. Franklin Suares, a Costa Rican attorney (right).
The visitation of the Puntarenas Commission was made possible by the assistance of Mr. Eduardo Valverde, director of Alma Tica Costa Rican Folk-Dance Group and founder of the Costa Rican American Cultural Center. In Jan. 2013 Alma Tica dance group was invited to perform in the world-renowned Tournament of Roses Parade held in Pasadena, California. Later on, recommended by General Counsel of Costa Rica in Los Angeles, Mrs. Sylvia Ugalde Fernadez, the dance group was invited to perform in Tai Ji Men Chinese New Year Gathering. To date, the dance group has participated five times in Tai Ji Men’s functions for public welfare. Eduardo Valverde mentioned, ""We are very thankful for counting on us to showcase our performance and representation of Costa Rica in Tai Ji Men’s amazing cultural events.""
Eduardo Valverde (left), director of Alma Tica Costa Rican Folk-Dance Group, and his group members present several folk dances; their lively and fun performances win warm applause from the audience.
In addition to the Alma Tica dance group and the Puntarenas Commission, Tai Ji Men also has meaningful interactions with the presidents of Costa Rica since 14 years ago. At the time, H. E. Oscar Arias Sanchez, former president of Costa Rica, had been awarded the1987 Nobel Peace Prize for his remarkable contribution to world peace as he helped defuse conflicts in Central America. On Aug. 15, 2001, H. E. Oscar Arias Sanchez rang the ""Bell of World Peace and Love,"" and made the wish: ""For the whole world to enjoy peace."" Additionally, H.E. Laura Chinchilla Miranda, former president and the first female president of Costa Rica, also rang the ""Bell of World Peace and Love"" in 2012 during the Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development held in Brazil. She made her wish: ""For peace to prevail amongst the peoples of the world and between humans and nature.""
In the cultural exchange activities on April 5, 2015, Alma Tica Costa Rican Folk-Dance Group presented several folk dances. Their lively and fun performances won warm applause from the audience, and everyone in the audience clapped and swayed to the upbeat music. Tai Ji Men members presented a peaceful and beautiful song titled ""Love and Peace Song"" and an inspirational song called ""The Era of Conscience."" Through the songs, Tai Ji Men conveyed encouragement and care to the world and hoped that the world’s people can work together for a genuine era of conscience. Although there are language barriers between the commission and Tai Ji Men members, the heart-to-heart communication transcended national boundaries, enabling them to feel close like a family.
Mr. Randall Chavarría (right), president of the Municipality of Puntarenas gives a warm hug to a Tai Ji Men member.
Near the end of the exchange program, the commission and Tai Ji Men members joined the movement of An Era of Conscience; they also took a group photo with the ""Smiley Earth,"" symbolizing their support of the movement. Through participating in the movement, they hoped to instill more positive energy into the world to awaken the conscience in more people and create a brighter future for all!
This event of cultural exchange and heart-to-heart communication touched the hearts of the commission, and they were reluctant to leave the academy. When about to leave, Mr. Randall Chavarria, president of the Municipality of Puntarenas, with tears in his eyes gave each Tai Ji Men member a warm hug and said, ""I cordially welcome you to visit my city, so I can entertain you. Please bring Tai Ji Men to Costa Rica!"" The event showed again that cultures transcend national boundaries and the world’s people are close like members of a big family!
