New Religions and Globalization Opening Remarks at “2011 International Conference of New Religion in a Globalized East”

　　新兴宗教与全球化“世界新兴宗教研究中心2011国际年会”开幕辞

　　释昭慧(台湾宗教学会理事长)

　　Principal, Dean, distinguished guests, scholars and students,

　　校长、院长、各位贵宾、学者以及同学们:

　　It is my pleasure to be invited to the opening ceremony for The 2011 International Conference of the Center for Studies on New Religions (CESNUR), co-organized by Aletheia University, ISAR (Institute for the Study of American Religion) and the International Association for the Study of New Religions.

　　本人很荣幸!受邀参加“世界新兴宗教研究中心2011国际年会”开幕典礼。本次会议由真理大学、美国宗教研究中心(ISAR)及新兴宗教研究国际协会共同合办。

　　The theme of the conference is “New Religion in a Globalized East: Taiwan, Southeast Asia and the World”. This is a very meaningful and interesting topic. Since ancient times, new religions have arisen periodically around the world. Before the era of globalization, the content and form of new religions have taken shape from both the spiritual experiences of their leaders and their local culture. Now as we enter the era of globalization, how will new trends in mass media and multicultural exposure impact the genesis of new religions? This is a matter worthy of academic attention.

　　本次会议主旨是“在全球化的东方看见新兴宗教:台湾、东南亚与全世界”,这是非常有意义而有趣的主题。古往今来,世界各地的新兴宗教一直层出不穷,在全球化的时代以前,新兴宗教的内容与形态的塑造,来自领导人的冥契经验及在地文化。而现在,我们进入了全球化时代,在大众传播媒体及多重文化的影响之下,如何形成新兴宗教的新趋势呢?这是一个值得学术界关注的课题。

　　However, the emergence of new religions also brings about religious pluralism. And with globalization becoming ever more pervasive, the blurring of cultural boundaries pushes us closer towards cultural homogeneity. In light of this progression, will the content and form of new religions become increasingly similar? Will they draw from multiple regions and inherit common traits from international influences?

　　无论如何,新兴宗教的出现也带来宗教的多元主义。并且,随着全球化越来越遍布,文化界线的模糊促使我们越来越趋近文化的同质性。在这一进展之下,新兴宗教的内容与型态会变得更相似吗?它们将被多重区域形塑,且承接国际影响而会有共同的特征吗?

　　New religions may still have a strong personal touch and localized color, but it is possible that globalization will impact the nature and function of new religions in our society. Thus 新兴宗教容或仍然具有强烈的个人风格与地方色彩,但在我们的社会中,新兴宗教的性质与功能可能会受到全球化的冲击。是以,我们必须仔细考虑这些影响,以决定如何恰当因应未来各种新兴宗教事件。

　　I believe that the scholars in this conference will arrive at their own fair conclusions, and will have many engaging viewpoints to share.

　　我相信,在这次会议中的诸位学者,将会得出公允的结论,并且将分享许多精采的观点。

　　Principal, Dean, thank you for the opportunity to speak here today. Fellow guests, please enjoy the conference. May all of us have a healthy, happy and harmony lives.

　　感谢校长及院长,给予本人与会致辞的机会。请各位来宾愉悦地享受本次会议,并祝福大家有个健康、快乐与和谐的人生。

　　2011.6.21,于真理大学“世界新兴宗教研究中心2011国际年会”