Latest News Articles
 2010
Interfaith Dialogue was witnessed as a great success
Conflict is both common and of great interest to many people, and the news media covers it extensively. But, collaboration is also of great interest to the public, although much less publicized. Collaboration was
strongly emphasized Saturday,
March 13, as leaders of many diverse religions explored the benefits of
collaboration. At the University of the West, Rosemead, they
participated in an Interfaith
Dialogue to explore the role of compassion
in daily activities. Hindus, Jews, Muslims, Christians, Buddhists and
many
other socially conscious groups used lectures, songs and rituals to
focus on
the potential benefits of compassion for the individual and society. 212 registrants and 166 participants had a great time to enjoy a comprehensive whole day interfaith program in this event: dialogues and conversation, performance and ritual presentation, sharing of social and charitable projects, and much more...
 The Panel 1 discussion have attracted many youngsters
*** Robert Lawrence Kuhn, creator and host of the television series Closer to Truth, began the daylong discussion by describing how his journey began at the age of 12, when he was frightened by the thought: “Why not nothing.” That is, why is there something, anything that exists, instead of nothing at all. “Why is there anything at all?” is the question, according to Kuhn, that has dominated his life ever since. And in his quest for answers, he has visited “120 of the world’s leading physicians, cosmologists, philosophers and theologians” in an attempt to find an answer. Kuhn did not offer any absolute answers, but shared with the audience some of what he has discovered about religious beliefs: we need to learn to be tolerant of other religions; contradictions among religious views doesn’t mean that one is right and the other is wrong.  What Does It
Mean to Get Closer to Truth?
***
During a panel discussion on “A Life
of Compassion from Birth to Death”, Varun Soni, dean of Religious Life
at University of Southern California stated: “Compassion
is not passive but pro-active.” This statement was echoed by the three
other
panel members -Tahara Akmal, Interfaith Chaplain Resident (Muslim),
at
Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles; Bryan Ferry, Interfaith
Chaplain at Children’s Hospital, Los Angeles; David Jamir, Senior Pastor
at
United Methodist Church, Santa Ana -who explained their ongoing
struggle to
infuse compassion into decisions made by them and others.Compassion and Youth were the
focus of the discussion in Panel 1. The panel moderator, Dr. Terry Mathis,
set the tone by asking panel members to talk about the importance of
relationships between young people and adults. Dr. Mathis suggested
that a child’s early relationships create the bedrock for other
experiences
of life, and that children need an environment in which it is safe to
explore their natural boundaries. The way in which religious tradition
may provide such a safe environment was explored from the vantage point
of each of the panelists: Dr. Muhamad Ali and Imam Mahmoud Harmoush
talked about the influence of Islam; Rabbi Sabine Meyer brought Judaism
into the discussion; the Christian tradition was represented by Dr.
James Feliciano and LDS Bishop and Counselor Lawrence Slusser; and Mr.
John Shin Jin Byrne, who has the unique perspective of one who was
raised
as a Christian, now identifies as a Buddhist and articulated the
Buddhist
way of life. Each of the panelists agreed that a person’s capacity
for compassion is often importantly the result of their own parenting.
They agreed that, ideally, primary relationships between children and
their parents and religious leaders should be based on love and care.
Appropriate love was seen as a kind of elixir in relationships with
children, even when such relationships are accompanied with strict
religious
restrictions that are usually intended to protect and enhance the
quality
of a child’s life. Such relationships were seen to potentially
have far reaching effects, perhaps to heighten the capacity to center
one’s self in meditation or to simply be compassionate with those
who are different and in need, and there was agreement among panel
members
that responsible sustained love of parents and religious leaders for
their children is foundational for compassion. Such primary
relationships
eventually result in a similar capacity in future generations to carry
on in much the same compassionate way.  Panel 1 discussion ***  Panel 2 discussion
Varun Soni, Dean of Religious Life at USC: “Compassion is not passive, but pro-active” ***
Music was a strong component of
another panel: “Compassion in Practice --- Sing, Chant, Dance, Other.”
After
participating in a song about compassion and diversity, the Rev. Shawn
Kindorf
of Ministers in Religious Science said: “Just as we have a category
called
food … religious diversity shows up because we have different tastes.
But
still, the basis is Oneness. We are all one.” And Maharaj Nithya
Bhaktapriyananda,
disciple of Paramahamsa Nithyananda, Nithyananda
Temple, added that people
should “pick the flowers from all the [spiritual] gardens and make your
own
bouquet.” Other panelists added their voices to this common theme:
Deborah
Roberts, campus minister, University of La Verne said: “We can learn
from all
religions;” Venerable Miao Hsi,
director, Fo Guang Shan, Hsi Lai Temple, Hacienda Heights, said: “We
embrace
everyone;” and Ahmad H. Sakr, president of the Foundation for Islamic
Knowledge
and director of Islamic Education Center, Walnut, said: “Diversity is
the
beauty of life. We can improve by learning from others.” Rev. Shawn Kindorf shining the auditorium and audience with compassion
 Steve Kinzie: the song of "compassion"
 Maharaj Nithya
Bhaktapriyananda:
“pick the flowers from all the [spiritual] gardens and make your own bouquet”
 Dr.
Ahmad H Sakr: "compassion begins with a smile" *** The
last panel of the daylong
activities was “Compassion in Charity and Social Work.” Panelists
explained how
their organizations attempt to deal with the health issues, homeless
people,
alienated groups, imprisoned youth, and hundreds of other problems that
plague
communities throughout Southern California.
These panelists told of how compassion for the down-trodden men, the
battered
and bruised woman, and the neglected and abused children has changed the
lives
of many who were hopeless. Many of the group’s comments seemed to urge
the
audience to participate in activities for social change.  Panel four: filled with wonderful speakers and discussion
*** Throughout the day, example after example emphasized that acts of compassion benefit not only the receiver of compassion, but also the provider.
Venerable Jue Wei: the initiator and major booster of the Conference planning her schemes with emcee Dr. Bruce Long
 The "Hello" from the organizer to the honorable guests speaker:
Rev. Dr. Terry Mathis and Rabbi Sabine Meyer
Where is my name?  Participants enjoying their conversation during the refreshment break
 of Hsi Lai Temple, for the University of the West Library's Collection  What a wonderful lunch! Organizers' Thanks
Hsilai Friends
and BudaWest |
