A Soulful Dialogue on Peace, Energy, and Love
On the evening of October 27th at 6:00 PM, the special Venice edition of the World Peace Culture & Arts Festival 2025 — a dialogue forum between Venerable Master Wu Le and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Leymah Gbowee — was grandly held at the Scuola Grande San Giovanni Evangelista di Venezia.
The ancient palace, illuminated under the night sky, was brought to life by music.
The event commenced with a symphonic performance by the WuLe Symphony Orchestra, whose solemn and serene melodies immersed the audience, drawing waves of applause and cheers.
As the final piece, The Radetzky March, resounded through the hall, the entire audience clapped, smiled, and resonated with the rhythm.
Music and spirit became one, lifting the atmosphere to a climactic close for the first half of the evening.
Following the music came the dialogue of souls.
As the final notes faded, the conversation between Venerable Master Wu Le and Ms. Gbowee began.
Excerpts from the Dialogue
The two guests explored themes including “the meaning of peace,” “violence and human nature,” and “compassion in action.”
Ms. Gbowee reflected,
“Each of us carries within us a certain energy, a force.
It is like a bottle of water, and our emotions and actions are like different cups.
We can choose which cup to pour it into — ‘violence,’ or ‘non-violence.’
Sometimes, it is a decision made in just one moment that determines the direction.”
She added with a smile:
“So, in that moment — pause, breathe, calm yourself, and only then decide.”
Venerable Master Wu Le expressed deep agreement, responding:
“Between those two cups, there is actually a third — the ‘Cup of Peace.’
Only when we pour our energy into peace
can true goodwill flow throughout the world.”
Through different metaphors, the two conveyed the same essential truth:
it is how we channel our energy that determines whether we move toward peace and goodness.
A Moment of Mutual Understanding
In the second segment — a mutual Q&A — neither guest posed a question to the other.
Instead, they chose to share their reflections — as if words were unnecessary, and their hearts already understood.
Venerable Master Wu Le expressed his admiration to Ms. Gbowee:
“I wish to learn from you — to learn that energy
which moves people through the power of character, guiding them toward the right path.”
Ms. Gbowee responded with equal sincerity:
“And I wish to learn from the Master that tranquility and inner peace —
to find peace with oneself, deep within.”
In that moment,
the wisdom of the East met the resilience of Africa — in Venice.
A silent understanding spoke more than a thousand words.