Parliament of Worlds Religion 1999 Capetown SA

Author(s): Parliament of the World’s Religions
Publisher: USA Parliament of the Worlds Religions

Page 71

1 9 9 9 PARLIAMENT OF THE WORLD'S RELIGIONS MAJOR PRESENTATIONS
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5
2:00 PM–3:15 PM IN THEATER 1 The Worldly Spirituality of the Lotus Sutra Dr. Gene Reeves The modern world is increasingly plagued by the three-fold problem of rapid population growth, depletion of the earth's resources, and pollution. The Buddhist Lotus Sutra, many believe, provides a spiritual basis for overcoming this environmental crisis. What is especially interesting about the Sutra in this connection is its use of stories, especially highly imaginative, fantastic stories to express a special affirmation of this world. We will consider two of these stories in an effort to understand this spirituality as both earthly and cosmic. Retired from University of Tsukuba Japan: former head, Meadville/Lombard Theological School at the University of Chicago. He regularly writes and speaks about the Lotus Sutra.
4:00 PM–5:00 PM IN THEATER 2 The Beauty of all Religions Dr. S.N. Subha Rao The lecture will concentrate on how religious fanaticism has historically caused hatred, and consequently intellectuals have reacted by calling for the abolition of all religions. Countries who went on to abolish religions soon realized after a few decades that there was a need for religions. Dr. Rao will address the significance of religions and the need for them in world provided they are not used to hate. No biographical statement available at time of printing
4:00 PM–4:45 PM IN THEATER 5 The Family In Today's Society Dennis E. Simmons The presentation explores and outlines The Family: A Proclamation To The World, issued Sept. 23, 1995 by the First Presidency and The Quorum of The Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Elder Simmons looks at the state of the family in contemporary society Elder Simmons received a B.S. from Utah State University and a JD from George Washington University Law School. He was a Commissioned Officer in the United States Air Force; a Legislative Assistant to US. Senator Alan Bible, Bishop, Stake President, Mission President, General Authority, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Days Saints. He has had a private law Practice in Las Vegas, Nevada for the past 27 Years. He is married with 6 children and 10 grandchildren
3:00 PM–3:45 PM IN THEATRE 3 How the Hindus Define "Soul" during Lifetime and after Death Prof. Nepal Lodh This presentation shows that Hindus, by using yoga and religious practice will overcome fear of death, and as a consequence, attain salvation of the soul. Furthermore, by paralleling these practices to their day-to-day work, the Hindus can occupy themselves intensely with the question of death. The Hindu death ritual inevitably unites the soul of the deceased with the universal soul. Nepal Lodh, of Indian birth, grew up in two cultures (Indian and German). He is a social scientist and collcgc lecturer with the status of Professor and Coordinator for cooperation between Indian and German colleges. Dr. Lodh is a master of yoga and President of the Indo-German Hindu Society
Major Presentations
3:00 PM-4:30 PM IN ENGINEERING 1.31 Voices into the Millennium: the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt Cleve Jones; H. H. Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati The display of the AIDS Memorial Quilt is a powerful, emotional, and spiritual reminder of the enormity of the AIDS pandemic. Cleve Jones and Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati will speak about the impact of AIDS in the world. The experience of the Quilt provides a creative means for remembrance and healing. Each participant at this event will feel the "call to remember and to serve what the Quilt engenders. This presentation and display will coincide with World AIDS Day and AIDS Awareness Week, December 1-8. 1999. South Africa is among those nations hardest hit by the pandemic disease with over 14% of
population of 32 million estimated to be infected with HIV. AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa has already orphaned over eight million children. The Quilt, like the Parliament, is a tapestry that both connects us to one another and transcends all boundaries The AIDS Quilt exhibit is presented by the River Fund and sponsored by the Green Family Foundation Cleve Jones is a AIDS Activist and Founder of NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Ouilt Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati is the founder of Kashi Ashram an interfaith spiritual community that embraces the sacred practices of many traditions. Ma's teachings are based upon a commitment to humanity through service She founded the River Fund dedicated to serving people with AIDS and other life challenging illnesses and the River School which educates students in an environment that weaves spirituality and service into the curriculum. Ma is a Trustee of the Parliament of the World's Religions and works with other religious and spiritual leaders to promote interfaith dialogue and global cooperation for peace. In 1997. Ma established World Tibet Day to raise awareness of the plight of the Tibetan people and support for international freedom of religion for everyone.
4:00 PM–4:45 PM IN THEATER 6 The Forgotten Why Mr. Jonathan Granoff (Ahmad Muhaiyaddeen) Public institutions derive their authority from fulfilling the human calling to becoming fully human. This is particularly true for religions. We live in a time in which methodology show] has overshadowed purpose (why). The manifestation in philosophy is postmodernism and the manifestation in government is insensitive bureaucracy. Religion has a particular specialized function to remind us of our universal and higher calling. There is simply no social development possible without spiritual awakening. If we are to have a global civilization that treats the living biosystem as more important then we must affirm the underlying principles of grace, mystery, and beauty we know as sacred and which define the purpose of all human initiatives. The ethical and political implications required to attain this will be the focus of this inspirational presentation Jonathan Granoff Whmad Muhayaddeen) is an attorney, author, awardwinning screenwriter, and a public advocate for the legal, ethical, and spiritual dimension of human development and peace. He has studied with the Sufi Master Bawa Muhaiyaddeen since his youth and is honored with his namesake. He is an executive of the Bawa Muhaiyaddeen Fellowship. the Temple of Understanding, and the Middle Powers Initiative as well as an advisor to the International Association of Sufism and Inner Directions
4:00 PM–5:00 PM IN THEATER 4 Quest for Peace and Cooperation among Faith Communities: Case of the Balkans Dr. Mustafa Ceric The presentation examines the experience and achievement of Bosnia-Herzegovina statehood. It extends the discussion on the current level of cooperation among Croat, Muslim, and Serb communities in the country, and examines its applicability in other Balkan countries. Prof. Mustafa Ceric is a graduate of the University of Chicago(Ph.D.) and has taught at various institutions including the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He is the current Rais al-Ulama in the Republic of Bosnia-Harzegovina
Jain EducaYon International 2010_03