Parliament of Worlds Religion 2009 Melbourne Australia

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

Page 146

PROGRAM
Friday, December 4, 2009
Numen: The Nature of Plants
Matthew Hall, Respondent
Room 107
Film
This documentary film explores the healing power of plants around the globe and throughout human history. It focuses on the importance of preserving traditional methods of herbal healing and the plants that provide these remedies. It includes interviews with herbalists, ethno-botanists, naturopaths, journalists, and many other experts from the herbal world. The film was directed by Terrence Youk and Ann Armbrecht.
Matthew Hall is a postdoctoral researcher at the Royal Botanical Garden Edinburgh's Centre for Middle Eastern plants. Matt's research includes ecological surveying and developing botanical field guides, as well as philosophical work on conservation theory, interspecies ethics and attitudes to plants in religious traditions. He is a founding member of the ecological humanities research group.
Reviving Indigenous Spirituality: Reclaiming Strength and Identity (Session 1)
Dr Joseph Henry Suina, USA: Cochiti Pueblo, Moderator Constantino Pinto, East Timor: Timorese
Mandaza Augustine Kandemwa, Zimbabwe: Shona/
Ndebele
Room 108
Panel Discussion
For most Indigenous communities, spirituality cannot be separated from culture. However, Indigenous spiritual beliefs and practices have been a special subject of persecution over the centuries. These pressures have caused some sacred rites and ceremonial activities to move from the public into the private sphere. Policies of assimilation and cultural pressures have separated Indigenous peoples from their spiritual practices. In this session, panel members will explore the ways in which their respective Indigenous communities are maintaining or reviving their unique spiritual beliefs and practices.
Dr Joseph H Suina is a Professor Emeritus in the College of Education at the University of New Mexico and has numerous publications on culture and education. He directed the Institute for American Indian Education at UNM for tribes throughout the Southwest. He is a former governor and a current tribal council member, who continues to advocate for Native American tribes in the areas of health, museums, language retention, sacred sites, economic development and housing.
Constantino Pinto is co-founder and current director of Fundacao Lafaek Diak (FLD The Good Crocodile Foundation), an Indigenous Timorese non-profit, non-government community development organisation. He and his family lived through the Indonesian military invasion and occupation of Cast Timor
Mandaza Augustine Kandemwa was born a Svikiro lin Shona, his native tonguel-a carrier of many earth and water spirits, and a Mhondoro-one who is in constant prayer on behalf of others. As a vessel of the Spirits, Mandaza receives visions and dreams, makes offerings, performs healing rituals, and serves as messenger for the Ancient Ones. Mandaza teaches us to become "living prayers in service of the One Spirit.
PWR- Parliament of the World's Religions
142
9:30-11:00am INTRARELIGIOUS SESSION
Interfaith Understanding in Sikh Theology and History
Dr Balwant Singh Hansra, Moderator Dr Harnam Singh Shan
Dr Sangat Singh Syalee
Dr Devinder Singh Chahal
Dr Balwant Singh Dhillon Room 110
Panel Discussion
Interfaith understanding and respect are an integral part of the Sikh faith. Not only Sikhs but also Hindus and Muslims held the Sikh Gurus in high esteem. A Muslim Sufi saint is said to have laid the foundation of Sri Harmandar Sahib at Amritsar. The Sikh scripture, which includes the writings of the Sikh Gurus as well as Muslim and Hindu saints of South Asia, is the only known interfaith scripture in the world. This session will discuss the universality of the Sikh faith and its theological underpinnings along with the role of interfaith understanding in Sikh history during and after the time of the Sikh Gurus.
Dr Balwant Singh Hansra has been an At-Large Executive Committee Member of the Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions and Chair and Professor of the Natural Science Department at Daley College in Chicago. He has also been Chair of the Sikh Host Committee and Appointed Chair of the Administration & Finance Committee.
Dr Harnam Singh Shan is an eminent Sikh scholar, formerly professor, chairman, Guru Nanak Chair, and head of the departments of Punjabi Studies and Sikh Studies at Panjab University, Chandigarh. He is the author of numerous books on the Sikh faith and was honoured by The Sikh Review journal with a special issue celebrating his scholarship. His forthcoming book is titled 'Universality of Sri Guru Granth Sahib
Dr Sangat Singh Syalee has served as Vice President of Guru Nanak Foundation, New Delhi, India and as President of Gurmat Prachar Sabha. He is a Fellow of the Multifaith Organization of Long Island, New York and President of the Interfaith Council of Southwest Queens, New York. He is also the author of many papers and co-author of the book 'Gems of Gurbani. He has participated in the past three Parliaments of the World's Religions.
Dr Devinder Singh Chahal is President of the Institute for Understanding Sikhism and editor-in-chief of the publication Understanding Sikhism. The Research Journal'. He has written many articles on the interpretation of Gurbani. He has also written a few critical analyses of some works on Sikhism and Gurbani and has authored four books on the philosophy of Guru Nanak Sahib
Dr Balwant Singh Dhillon has a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania. He taught at the University of Delhi, Punjab University and at Old Dominion University. Dr Singh has written several articles for distinguished papers and journals. He is a member of the Community Alliance for Respect and Equality.
People Call Us Pagan -
The European Indigenous Traditions Angie Buchanan Andras Arthen Phyllis Curott Room 111
Panel Discussion
As the world confronts environmental devastation, we are beginning to appreciate the wisdom of Indigenous peoples who have lived for thousands of years in sustainable harmony and spiritual connection with the Earth. After