Why hundreds of people from Taiwan are visiting P.E.I.

About 500 people, mostly from Taiwan, are visiting P.E.I. right now as part of a retreat and the group includes some parents who haven't seen their children in years.

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People are here learning more about Buddhist teachings and to see how their donations are used.

"Our spiritual teacher, MasterZhen-Ru, she's on the Island for half of the year so alot of them come over to listen to not only the monks' and nuns' teachings, but also teachings from our spiritual leader," saidMolly Chang, aco-ordinatorfor the retreat.

The air so fresh and the trees so green.Hui-ChenTsao

Hui-ChenTsaoand Wen-ShuoYang are the parents of both a monk studying withTheGreat Enlightenment Buddhist Institute Society and a nunstudying withThe Great Wisdom Buddhist Institute.

Family reunions

The couple hasn't seen their children in years. The siblings havebeen learning at monasteries on P.E.I. for the past couple of years.

"My husband, the first time he come to P.E.I. he cried like a baby and the heart is just strong and I hold his hand," saidHui-ChenTsao.

"As a father I will miss my daughter every day," saidWen-ShuoYang.

They wererelieved to see where their kids are living.Monks and nuns typically study for 14 years.

Shoulder season boost

"My daughter told me we have friendly neighbour and friendly people just like Taiwan people," said Yang.

"The air so fresh and the trees so green," saidTsao.

Thevisitors are also touring and learning about P.E.I.This is the first timeGEBISandGWBIare working with Tourism PEI andMeetings and Conventions P.E.I.

Historic sites such asOrwell CornerHistoric Village andRomaat Three Rivers National HistoricSiteopenedup early for the visit a boost during the shoulder season.

"We've talked to them and said 'hey we have a group of people here who are quite interested in learning about your culture and your history and they're very touched by the way you try to preserve your history here on the Island,'" said Chang.

Hundreds more expected

The nuns saidthe visit is comforting for them as well.

"Well they're pretty excited about it,"saidVenerable Yvonnewho has been studying on P.E.I. as a Buddhist nun for five years.

"Because the way we show our appreciation to our parents is to tell them that how much we have been growing here on the Island and some of the parents, they told me that they've seen some of their daughters here on the Island they become more mature."

The group has been on P.E.I. since May 25 and will leave June 9. About 600 people are arriving for another similar retreat later this month. Organizers are also working on a retreat for the fall.

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