Parliament of Worlds Religion 2009 Melbourne Australia

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

Page 194

PROGRAMS Saturday, December 5, 2009
9:30-11:00am INTRARELIGIOUS SESSION
Shirley Paulson's religious practice is a healing ministry open to anyone. As a Christian Science practitioner, she relies on the Bible for spiritual guidance. She is a member of the Board of Governors for the Religion Communicators Council (United States and a classroom speaker for the worldwide Board of Lectureship for the Christian Science Church. She holds an MTS degree.
Mamaa: The Untouchable Ones Heather Winter Paddy Neowarra Pansy Nulgit Matthew Martin Room 215 Religious or Spiritual Observance The spiritual beliefs of the sacred Wanjina are the found ing commandments that govern the Ngarinyin Aboriginal Corporation's model of reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Together. Ngarinyin custodians, Paddy Neowarra and Pansy Nulgit, with human rights advocate Heather Winter, mentor Ngarinyin youth to preserve the spiritual beliefs of the Wanjina and Gwion through visual expression. The Ngarinyin elders translate their spiritual laws-depicted in painted images in caves-from their memories onto canvas using the earth pigment, ochre. Removed by the government in the 1950s from their traditional country, where the cave paintings are located, it is difficult for the elders to transmit knowledge to their youth today. Painting is a medium in which elders can focus their spiritual teaching, the 'Mamaa'taboo, which guards this sacred imagery from use by outsiders. As a religious initiative, the projects associated with Mamaa enable the community to advocate their human rights outside their remote communities. In 2005, Julian Burnside QC and AO awarded a national Humanitarian Award to the organisation. Traditionally, the Wanjina were not shown to those outside the family. Today we want to share our history and tell that the Wanjina is our God who created the law in Australia, Heather Winter is a human rights advocate. Paddy Neowarra is the co-founder of the spiritual Ngarinyin initiative at Bush University and chairman for the Ngarinyin Aboriginal Corporation He is a performer at Ngarinyin Jumba and Judmee performances. Mr Neowarra has presented his work internationally at the Museum National Historie Naturelle, Paris. He has been a keynote speaker on Ngarinyin spiritual perspectives at Australian National University, Canberra, from 1995 to 2007 Pansy Nulgit is senior executive Kimberley Aboriginal Law and Culture. Western Australia and Senior Advisor to the Ngarinyin Aboriginal Corporation on Mamaa. With expertise on women's spiritual law and Jumbaa Ceremonial Dance, she directs as song leader at the Mowanjum Community Festival. She has presented at the Australische Kunstlerinnen in Engiadina, Switzerland, the Australian Embassy in Paris and the Centre for the Moving Image in Melbourne. Matthew Martin is a Ngarinyin lawman and singer who assists Ngarinyin elders training to be co presenters. He presented at BBC London on the spiritual importance of the Wanjina/Gwion, performing the official cultural Bedgagun smoking singer performance. Matthews second language is English: Heather Winter will co-present and assist with translations,
Interfaith and Multinational Reflections on Aging and the Human Spirit Ronald Nakasone Larry M Taylor Chao-Ti Wu Heng Sure Janet Bregar Pinit Ratanakul Room 216 Interactive Workshop This program is an interactive workshop on elderhood and aging. Aging is a common human experience. Increased longevity offers individuals and communities unparalleled opportunities to cultivate and transform the human spirit, expand their collective moral imaginations, and mentor future elders so as to realign our public and religious institutions to their global responsibilities. In addition to sharing their respective reflections on aging, the multinational, interfaith panel will briefly instruct the audience in exercises such as meditation, tai chi, and journaling that promote spiritual cultivation and transformation. The pilgrimage of self-cultivation and self-transformation in becoming an elder mentors future generations of elders. Elders and their experiences embody the collective wisdom of humanity, which can inspire individuals (the young, middle aged, and old) and communities to forge a better world. Strengthening the rhythm of generations and strengthening their mutual responsibilities is the first step in sustaining communities. Healthy communities in turn are the basis for justice, sustainable living and healing the earth. This is a grave responsibility for present day and future elders. Ronald Nakasone is a Buddhist cleric IJodo, Shinshu, Pure Land). ethicist, calligrapher, and professor at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California, Professor Nakasone is also a member of the faculty at the Stanford University Geriatric Education Center. He is an expert in Okinawan Shamanism, his ancestral tradition. Larry M Taylor is currently a doctoral student of art and religion at the Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley. His areas of specialisation include American art, minimalism, Native North American art and spirituality in modern art. His most recent publication was an interview with TurkishAmerican artist Fatih Benzer. Mr Taylor has delivered talks on such topics as The Apocalypse through Art and the role of photography in the 1890 Lakota Ghost Dance. He is interested in Native American spirituality Chao-Ti Wu (Dharma name: Hsin Chien) is the founder of the Enlightenment Institute of Buddhist Studies in Taipei, Taiwan. She taught at Dharma Drum Mountain from 1996 to 2001 and currently teaches Buddhist thought and practice at Shih Hsin University and Chin Min Institute of Technology in Miao-Li in Taipei. She practices Chan (Zen and Pure Land traditions. A leading student of Ner-Tien, she actively engages in social welfare in her community Rev Heng Sure is the Director of the Berkeley Buddhist Monastery and a former Global Councilor of the United Religions Initiative. He has been a Buddhist monk for 33 years, and holds a PhD from the Graduate Theological Union, in Berkeley, California USA) and an MA from the University of California, Berkeley. An author and musician, Rev Sure recently released the CD 'Paramita. American Buddhist Folk Songs Rev Dr Janet Bregar is the Pastor of Village Church in Los Angeles and an instructor in Comparative Religions at California State University Fullerton. Dr Bregar is the past executive director of the Santa Monica Bay Interfaith Council and a current Board Member. She has been active in interfaith work both in the United States and internationally for over
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