8:00am ~ 9:00am

 

Registration.

 

9:00am ~ 9:15am

 

Welcome address by Venerable Hui Chi, the Abbot of Hsi Lai Temple.

    9:15am ~ 10:00am

      Keynote speech by Dr. Robert Lawrence Kuhn, Creator and Host, Closer To Truth                                          and Chairman, The Kuhn Foundation.

      Title: What Does It Mean to Get Closer To Truth?

 10:00am ~ 10:30am

 

Refreshments.

 

10:30am ~ 12:00pm

 

Panel 1

 

Theme: Compassion and Youth

 

Facilitated by Rev. Dr. Terry Mathis, University of California, Riverside.

 

                                Speakers:

 

Dr. Muhamad Ali. Assistant Professor, Religious Studies(Islam), UC Riverside.

Rev. Dr. James Feliciano. Pastor, Manna Church, Moreno Valley, CA.

Imam Mahmoud Harmoush.Professor of  Arabic Language and Islamic Culture, California State University, San Bernardino. Director, the Islamic Center of Temecula Valley.

Rabbi Sabine Meyer. Director, Introduction to Judaism, Union for Reform Judaism- West District.

Lawrence Slusser. Second Counselor to the Temecula Stake and President of Jesus Christ of Latter-day-Saints (Mormon).

John Shin Jin Byrne. Soto Zen Buddhist practitioner.

Panel 2

Theme: A Life of Compassion: from Birth to Death

Facilitated by Dr. Helene Slessarev-Jamir, Claremont School of Theology.

Speakers

Chaplain Bryan Ferry. Interfaith chaplain, Children's Hospital Los Angeles.

Chaplain Tahara Akmal. Interfaith Chaplain Resident (Muslim), Ronald Reagan                           UCLA  Medical Center, Los Angeles.

Rev. Dr. David Jamir. Senior pastor, United Methodist Church.

DJur. Varun Soni, Dean of Religious Life, USC.

                                

 12:00pm ~ 1:00pm: Lunch

 

* Theravada monks’ lunch will be served at 11:30am.

 

1:00pm ~ 2:30pm

 

Panel 3

 

Theme: Compassion in Practice – Sing, Chant, Dance, Other

 

Facilitated by Dr. Richard Rose, University of La Verne.

 

Speakers:

Maharaj Nithya Bhaktapriyananda, disciple of Paramahamsa Nithyananda, Nithyananda Vedic Temple.

Dr. Deborah Roberts, Campus Minister, University of La Verne.

Steve Kinzie. Interim Director of the Learning Enhancement Center and adjunct Professor of Peace Studies and Writing, University of La Verne.

Rev. Shawn Kindorf. Ministers in Religious Science.

Dr. Ahmad H Sakr. President of the Foundation for Islamic Knowledge; Director, Islamic Education Center in Walnut, California, etc. 

     Ven. Miao Hsi, Director, Hsi Lai Temple (Fo Guang Shan), Hacienda Heights.

 

 2:30pm ~ 3:00pm

 

Refreshments.

 

3:00pm ~ 4:30pm

 

Panel 4

 

Theme: Compassion in Charity & Social Work - Exhibits/Projects

 

                Facilitated by Dr. Michael Kerze, Professor of History and Religion, Los Angeles Valley 

                College and Santa Monica College

 

Speakers and exhibitions:

 

Mike Kennedy & Richard Garcia's project, California Province of the Society of Jesus.

Alex Wu and BLIA (Buddha's Light International Association) LA chapter's charitable projects.

Glen Peterson and the project of "Job Quest Ministry," Whittier Area Community Church.

Steve Kemp and the project from Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Pasadena Stake).

Mary Helen Monarrez and Whittier Area First Day Coalition's "Keeping Families Together" project.

Veronica Hernandez and Interfaith Food Center's “Food Pantry” project.

Pastor Jim Ortiz and My Friends House Assembly of God's project.

Dottie Andersen and St. Matthias Episcopal Church(Whittier)'s "Soup Hour” Project.

Mike Wong and Buddhist Chaplaincy Program, University of the West.

Ms. Irem Choksy and the exhibition from UWSA (University of the West Student Association). 

Mr. Rex Qing Song Goh and the exhibition from BudaWest (Buddhist Association of University of the West).  

 

4:30pm ~ 5:00pm

 

                Group prayer.

Appreciation and concluding remarks.