The Seven Fountains Spirituality Center in Chiang Mai, Thailand witnessed the gathering of a few of the Jesuits who are engaged in the area of Buddhism. It was for them, a first-time opportunity to communicate with fellow brothers face to face. The occasion was the Workshop on Buddhist-Christian dialogue held last April 23 – 25. The participants including Fr. Mark Raper were ten, of which two were from India. Fr Cyril Veliath (JPN), JCAP Coordinator for Dialogue with Buddhism, gave this report.
“On the opening morning we visited the Chiang Mai campus of the Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, and had a friendly exchange with the Vice-Rector who was a Buddhist monk, and in the afternoon, after an introductory talk by Fr Mark we had the first address by Fr Noel Sheth (BOM), on Buddhist Approaches to Inter-religious and Cross-cultural Relations. Later we discussed our reasons for attending the workshop, and what we hoped to get out of it. The day ended with a Zen Mass by Fr AMA Arokia Samy (MDU).
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Sitting on the floor (L-R): Sr. Saowanee, Joseph Chun, Noel Sheth, Jorge Beneito, Petrus Puspobinatmo, Paolo Yong, Ama Samy, Bernard Senecal, Paul Agung. Sitting on the stand (L-R): Phra Thanaphiwat (Phra Chai), Venerable Phra Ajahn Tong Sirimangalo (Abbot of Wat Phradhatu Sri Chom Tong Voravihara). |
The next day, Fr Bernard Senecal (KOR) described the situation of Buddhism in Korea, and Fr Michael Amaladoss (MDU) spoke on the Theology and Practice of Dialogue. The talks were all deeply inspiring. Then, after some personal sharing by participants, suggestions were made for renewing the Buddhist apostolate, forming Jesuits, and enlivening Buddhist-Christian dialogue.
As for the Workshop as a whole, the participants unanimously declared that they were deeply satisfied with it, and that more such meetings should be organized. Considering the fact that so far Jesuits involved in Buddhism had never met as a group, it was felt that this workshop was long overdue, and a great step forward. We are blessed with talented men who should be effectively used for the good of the Church and Society. The greatest crisis facing the Catholic Church today is not the pedophilia issue, but the fact that vast numbers of Christians are turning to religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism, having grown disillusioned with Christianity.
The workshop ended with a Holy Mass by Fr Paul Kriangyot Piyawanno (TAI), who incorporated symbols from Thai Buddhism in the Mass. On April 25th Sunday, some of the participants led by Fr Petrus Puspobinatmo (IDO) visited the Wat Sri Comthong Temple and Meditation Center. There they had an audience with the chief monk, who guided them in a brief meditation session.”
Talks and articles used in the workshop can be found at http://web.me.com/cyrilveliath/Site/Christianity,_Buddhism,_and_the_Jesuits_of_East_Asia.html