Developing a deeper faith with the help of Indigenous Peoples
26 Jul 2016

Developing a deeper faith with the help of Indigenous Peoples

by | posted in: Indigenous Ministry, Interreligious Dialogue, Spirituality | 0

A group of 17 consisting of 10 Jesuit scholastics, one priest, five Religious sisters and one lay woman came together recently to learn, re-learn and unlearn with our Indigenous sisters and brothers in Tarlac, Philippines. Their two-week immersion was part of the Asia Pacific Contextual Theology for Engagement Programme (ACOTEP) planned for students of the Loyola School of Theology but Religious sisters and lay students of the Institute of Formation and Religious Studies and Institute for Consecrated Life in Asia were invited to participate.

Islamic principles for sustainability and the environment
22 Jun 2016

Islamic principles for sustainability and the environment

by | posted in: Interreligious Dialogue, Reconciliation with Creation, Spirituality | 0

The environmental problems we face today are complex and the Church’s concern is shared by other faiths. In Islam, for example, we can find some principles of environmental ethics that deal with nature and creation. These principles are: tawhîd (God’s unity), âyat (sign of God’s presence), mîzân (balance), khalifat (God’s vicegerent) and amânat (trust).

JCAP’s 2016 annual report now available online
26 Apr 2016

JCAP’s 2016 annual report now available online

by | posted in: International Works, Interreligious Dialogue | 0

In our latest annual report, we look back on a year of key milestones throughout the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific, recall the Pope’s visit to the Philippines, review the history of the Arrupe International Residence, continue our dialogue with Buddhism, and learn about the impact of the Spiritual Exercises in China.  Also, JCAP President Fr Mark Raper SJ reflects on the Conference’s growth and the importance of collaboration in mission. 

Dialogue with Buddhists on ecology and faith
22 Mar 2016

Dialogue with Buddhists on ecology and faith

by | posted in: Interreligious Dialogue, Reconciliation with Creation, Social Justice | 0

Jesuits and Buddhist monks and nuns came together in early March to share and dialogue on ecology and religions in a workshop organised by the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific.

Organised locally by Fr Lawrence Soosai SJ of the Patna Jesuit Province, the three-day workshop was held in India, in the city of Bodhgaya where the Buddha is believed to have attained enlightenment, and which is one of the holiest of Buddhist cities.

Encouraging Buddhist-Christian dialogue
1 Mar 2016

Encouraging Buddhist-Christian dialogue

by | posted in: Interreligious Dialogue | 0

The Christian-Buddhist Workshop group of the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific (JCAP) has produced its first book, to showcase its work over the last several years and to encourage younger people to study Buddhism. Titled The Buddha and Jesus: An anthology of articles by Jesuits engaged in Buddhist Studies and Inter-religious Dialogue, the collection of 16 essays discusses Buddhist traditions, inculturation, meditation methods, issues in Chinese Buddhism, doctrinal interpretations in early Buddhism, the spirituality of indigenous peoples and more.

Buddhist-Christian dialogue and the sustainability of life
26 Feb 2016

Buddhist-Christian dialogue and the sustainability of life

by | posted in: Interreligious Dialogue, JCAP News, Reconciliation with Creation, Social Justice | 0

Sustainability is a hot word today among scientists, economists, politicians, religious leaders, and others especially concerned with humanitarian values. It has been linked to economics, ecology, social welfare, social justice, gender equality, financial security, conserving energy, eradicating poverty, and, of course, finding meaning in life.  And it is a topic of concern for the Jesuits engaged in dialogue with Buddhists.

My God becomes bigger and bigger
26 Aug 2015

My God becomes bigger and bigger

by | posted in: Interreligious Dialogue | 0

Taiwanese Scholastic Aloysius Hsu SJ shares his experience of Vipassana Meditation and the 2015 East Asia Theological Encounter Programme (EATEP) held from July 22 to August 17 in Chiang Mai, Thailand. EATEP is a programme of the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific that provides Jesuits in formation with opportunities to deepen their dialogue with other faiths, particularly Buddhism, and to enrich their perspectives on theology in Asia. 

Being open to dialogue, to change, to transformation
28 May 2015

Being open to dialogue, to change, to transformation

by | posted in: Interreligious Dialogue | 0

Sri Lankan Jesuit Scholastic Anthony Prathap Raj participated in the recently concluded Asia Pacific Theological Encounter Programme in Indonesia. Now back in the Philippines where he is studying theology at the Loyola School of Theology, he shared this reflection of his one-month immersion experience of Islam with us.

As a Jesuit scholastic rooted in Ignatian Spirituality, I went to Indonesia ready to see God in every encounter I had with our Muslim brethren, and open for change and transformation.

Learning Asian theology through an experience of Buddhism
17 May 2015

Learning Asian theology through an experience of Buddhism

by | posted in: Interreligious Dialogue | 0

Jesuit scholastics are invited to join a four-week programme designed to guide them in examining issues of Asian theology, and understanding interreligious dialogue and the inculturation of the Catholic faith in Asia. They will do this through an intensive experience of Buddhism in the specific context of Thailand, which is predominantly Buddhist.

Now on its 10th year, the 2015 East Asia Theological Encounter Programme (EATEP) will be held from July 22 to August 17 at the Seven Fountains Spirituality Centre in Chiang Mai, Thailand.