Interfaith Harmony for Peace & Nonviolence Conference 2015 Reports
Reports on the International Conference on Interfaith Harmony for Peace & Nonviolence; India International Centre, New Delhi, February 6-8, 2015
Report by A. K. Merchant
A two day conference of Temple of Understanding USA & India was held in the backdrop of the United Nations interfaith harmony week which is commemorated every year in the first week of February. Scholars and interfaith practitioners from the US and India representing different religious communities addressed the topics of contemporary relevance particularly focusing on Peace and Nonviolence in their respective countries and the world, largely from a Gandhian perspective.
The event began with a gala reception and screening of the documentaries featuring the activities of The Temple of Understanding worldwide centered the life-journey of Juliet Hollister, its founder, who established this global interfaith association in 1960 at the Cathedral of St. John in New York. Hon’ble Dr. Karan Singh, MP and President of Temple of Understanding—India along with Dr. Anindita Balslev and Dr. A. K. Merchant, both members of the Executive Committee and the latter, its General Secretary, as well as Ms. Alison Van Dyk, Executive Director, Temple of Understanding—USA, warmly welcomed all the guests at the Reception with Dinner on 6th February evening. (report)
Keynote Addresses:
Dr. VIMLA S LALBHAI
As I stand in front of you, in the midst of (thought) leaders of spirituality and faith of the highest calibre, there is a feeling of deep humility within me and also to feel nervous as how I will add value to this August gathering.
To begin with I most sincerely thank Respected Alyson and Respected Laxmiben who have responded to this little booklet, which was prepared with the help of Respected Munishri Kirtivijayji and Respected Vivekji. Also My Pranams to these Respected Saints. (report)
Dr. ANINDITA N. BALSLEV-
In a world which is so divided, so full of strife and conflict, where nations compete with each other in the mastery of the art of violence by innovating ever more advanced forms of lethal weaponry and that too with the help of cutting-edge scientific research, it seems to me to be nothing short of a miracle that the concept of Ahimsa, nevertheless, has been with us from time immemorial. (report)
feature image: “Interfaith Prayer Service for the Children” by diofw is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0