2005 Lunar New Year message from
The Colloquium of Six Religious Leaders of Hong Kong

Time keeps moving on and the seasons change. The advent of spring brings brightness and charm to the earth. The Six Religious Leaders wish the people of Hong Kong prosperity, harmony and stability. We wish the New Year will bring you good luck, good health and good fortune.

At present, we are deeply concerned about the deterioration of traditional moral values in our community. Domestic violence in the face of adversity is an issue to be regretfully acknowledged. The ancients rightly said that self-cultivation of personality would put the family in order. Parents should make the upbringing of their children their primary obligation. Parents are models for their children. To teach by personal example is better than precepts. In these ever-changing times, parents need to equip themselves with practical skills in educational and technological advancement in order to guide the children of today to be the better parents of tomorrow. Children today will one day become parents. Children should behave well and respect their parents and elders. Domestic harmony will help bring stability to the community. Charity begins at home.

Respect for teachers and elders are the tenets of Chinese culture. Zeng Shen once said that he practised self-introspection three times a day - confused is the one who learns without meditation and practice. If pupils make untiring efforts to learn and teachers demonstrate unflagging patience in instruction, then the teacher-pupil relationship will be a sound and happy one.

The legalisation of football betting invites evils into the lives of our children, damaging their bodies and their minds. To minimise the negative impact of this on society, we urge the government to issue guidelines reminding the public of the detrimental effects of gambling.

For 25 years, the leaders of the Colloquium of Six Religious Leaders have unequivocally committed to the goal of promoting fraternity and harmony and inspiring others in the spirit of respect and equality. On the occasion of the 25th Anniversary of the Colloquium, a memorial plaque is being placed at Hong Kong Park. The inscription "To be united and to work in concert; to keep the differences and to seek the similarities", by Professor T. I. Jao, is our pledge to move forward with the people of Hong Kong towards a just, righteous and caring society.

Let us unite in the spirit of love and work in concert to preserve our traditional moral values for a better and brighter Hong Kong.

19 January 2005