MCM College Cultural Lecture Series: Women’s Buddhist College – Documentary Heritage of Kong Tac Lam Temple and UNESCO Memory of the World Register
滿珍紀念書院文化講座系列: 佛門女學院──功德林文獻遺產與UNESCO 《世界記憶名錄》
University of Macau Moon Chun Memorial College (MCMC) is honored to collaborate with Macau Documentation and Information Society and Kong Tac Lam Temple, and has invited Prof. Helen Hoi Keng Ieong, President of Macau Society of Social Sciences, Director of Macau Documentation and Information Society and Adjunct Assistant Professor of the University of Macau, to give a lecture on “ Women’s Buddhist College – Documentary Heritage of Kong Tac Lam Temple and UNESCO Memory of the World Register ” at Kong Tac Lam, Macao, as part of the MCMC Cultural Lecture Series. With the generous support from Kong Tac Lam, 12 students, together with Prof Kwok-cheung Cheung, MCM College Master, Mr Mai Zhicheng, Director of the Working Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Xiqiao Town, Nanhai District, Foshan City and Chairperson of the Xiqiao Town Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, Mr Zhang Wenyuan, Secretary-General of the Xiqiao Town Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, and Dr Pui Kei Lau, MCMC Resident Fellow, explored the precious cultural treasures inside.
The “Documents and Archives of the Kong Tac Lam Temple in Macau (1645-1980)” was successfully included in the UNESCO Memory of the World International Register in May 2023. The temple houses over 6,000 documents that testify to the establishment of the first women’s Buddhist academy in the Lingnan region.
The lecture began with an exploration of the research on these documents, highlighting Kong Tac Lam’s significant role in enhancing the status of women and the involvement of reformers, renowned monks, and social elites. Through these discussions, it showcased Macao’s historical value and the importance of its international recognition.
In addition to lecturing, Dr. Ieong led the group into the temple’s scriptures pavilion to explore valuable texts, including palm leaf manuscripts, personal letters from Liang Qichao and other notable figures, archives and regulations of the women’s Buddhist College, manuscripts by Master Yin Guang, and documents related to the founding family of the Nanyang Brothers Tobacco Company. This experience further highlighted the significance of Macao’s cultural heritage.
Some participating students said that this event gave a detailed introduction to the history of Macao Kong Tac Lam Temple as well as the achievements and honors it has won internationally, allowing them to better understand the history of Buddhism in Macao and its influence.
澳門大學滿珍紀念書院很榮幸與澳門文獻信息學會與功德林寺合辦文化講堂，邀請到澳門社會科學學會會長、澳門文獻信息學會理事長兼澳門大學兼任助理教授楊開荊博士，在澳門功德林進行「佛門女學院──功德林文獻遺產與UNESCO 《世界記憶名錄》」文化講座。與滿珍紀念書院院長張國祥教授、中國人民政治協商會議佛山市南海區西樵鎮工作委員會主任、西樵鎮歸國華僑聯合會主席麥志成、西樵鎮歸國華僑聯合會秘書長張文源、澳門滿珍紀念書院導師劉沛棋博士以及12名學生，一同深入院內參觀院內瑰寶。
《澳門功德林寺院檔案文獻（1645-1980年）》於2023年5月成功入選UNESCO《世界記憶（國際）名錄》，寺內館藏的文獻遺產共6,000多件，見證了嶺南地區首座女子佛教學院的誕生。
講座從其文獻研究工作出發，介紹功德林在提升女性地位的重要作用，以及參與的維新人士、著名高僧、社會賢達。這些文獻內容充分展現出澳門的歷史價值及其在國際上獲得認可的重要意義。
楊博士在講解的同時，也帶領師生們深入寺院藏經閣，了解珍貴典籍，包括貝葉經、梁啟超和著名人士的親筆信函、女子佛教學院的檔案和規章、印光法師的手稿、南洋兄弟煙草公司創辦人家族的檔案等，體現了澳門文化金名片的重要意義。
有參與學生表示，是次活動詳細介紹了澳門功德林的歷史以及至今獲得的成就與榮譽，讓參觀的學生更了解澳門佛門歷史與其影響。