In the spirit of inter-religious dialogue, a recent symposium for Jesuit scholars of Buddhism began with an Aarti or ‘lamp lighting’ ceremony. Each delegate came forward and lit a lamp to symbolize the enkindling of knowledge and love within the hearts of one and all.
The 15 Jesuits from the Conferences of Asia Pacific and South Asia, together with a Protestant pastor from Korea, were gathered for the second JCAP workshop on Buddhist Christian Encounter. It was held in the Tulana Research Centre for Encounter and Dialogue, in Kelaniya, Sri Lanka from August 13 to 15, 2011.
The presentations made for rich discussion. Fr Aloysius Pieris SJ spoke of the necessity for dialogue with Buddhists, the hurdles we are likely to encounter in realising this dialogue, and the prospects that lie ahead. He also touched upon the fact that scholarship is needed in Sri Lanka, that Buddhism in Sri Lanka is politicised, and that the “rich needed to be liberated from their riches, the poor from their poverty, and both from their greed”, making references to ‘Liberation Theology.’ Fr Pieris also showed a DVD of a dialogue he had conducted in English with a Buddhist monk of his acquaintance.
Fr Lawrence Soosai SJ reported on his current doctoral research in Buddhist studies, chiefly on the subject of ‘correct mindfulness.’ Fr Jerry Cusumano SJ drew on his knowledge of Zen Buddhism, Yoga, Tai Chi, and other oriental disciplines, providing a detailed account of the philosophy and practice of Zen as he has experienced it over some decades.
The delegates also heard from a guest speaker, Venerable T Sumangala, a Sri Lankan Buddhist monk and University professor of Christianity. In a humorous way he described the many obstacles he faced while he was pursuing his doctorate in Christianity in the Philippines and in so doing revealed some of the practical challenges of inter-religious dialogue.
The delegates had the opportunity to experience Buddhist meditation twice – Fr Paul Kriyangot Piyawanno SJ led a Buddhist-style meditation using techniques made famous by the late Fr Anthony De Mello SJ, while Fr Thierry-Jean Robouam SJ led an hour of Buddhist meditation following the techniques of the Shingon sect.
In addition, Fr Joseph Fung SJ incorporated several Shamanistic symbols and customs in his Eucharistic sacrifice. Fr Fung said the aim of the Shamanic mass, which he calls a re-envisioned liturgy of sacred sustainability, was to share with fellow Jesuits an experience of indigenous religiosity and how this dialogue shaped the way the liturgy is conducted.
Read about the Shamanic Mass.
Read more about inter-religious dialogue within the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific.