Parliament of Worlds Religion 2009 Melbourne Australia

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

Page 305

PROGRAM
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
8:00-9:00am MORNING OBSERVANCES
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness ISKCONI was established in 1966 by His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Srila Prabhupadal. ISKCON has since developed into a worldwide confederation of 10,000 temple devotees and 250,000 congre. gational devotees.
Understanding the Wisdom of Muslim Obligatory Prayers: Salaat and Inner Peace Dr Suhair Al-Qurashi Room 207 Religious or Spiritual Observance
Convocation of Hindu Spiritual Leaders: Opening Ceremony Tara Rajkumar Rajarathina Sarma Premakantha Kurukkal Bsc Ni Ketut Arini HH Dadi Janki Dada JP Vaswani Dr Chanderbhanu Swami Parameshananda International Society for Krishna Consciousness Room 202 Religious or Spiritual Observance A special feature of the Melbourne Parliament will be an assembly of a number of the most outstanding spiritual leaders of India. The convocation of saints will begin with Vedic chanting, prayers, meditation and music. These opening observances will be followed by a number of eminent speakers on universal themes such as spiritual values and peace as well as current issues such as humanitarian work, education and the environment. All are welcome at this very inspiring and enlightening gathering! Tara Rajkumar, OAM, has made distinguished contributions to dance in Australia, the United Kingdom and India for over three decades. In Australia, her original work includes major new repertoires in Mohiniattam and contemporary works in the South Asian idiom. Her Natya Sudha Company productions have toured widely in Australia and overseas. Under Tara's direction, the Natya Sudha School has developed a reputation for maintaining high standards and the purity of the Mohinattam and Kathakali styles. Rajarathina Sarma Premakantha Kurukkal Bsc is the Chief Priest of The Hindu Society of Victoria Australia Inc. since the year 2000. He has been a lecturer in Sanskrit and a Priest for over 40 years. He hails from a traditional Hindu Priest family dating back to 1864 Ni Ketut Arini of Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia is a distinguished performer, choreographer and teacher of classical and modern Balinese dance. She was a faculty member at the Indonesian Conservatory of Performing Arts KOKAR and then a supervisor for National High Schools throughout Bali. In 1973, she founded Sanggar Warini, a traditional studio in her birthvillage Lebah, where she continues to guide hundreds of young artists. She has toured extensively in Asia, Europe, USA and Australia. Dadi Janki is a master Raja Yogini. Now 94 years of age, she has studied and practiced meditation since childhood. She first came to London in 1974 and has since overseen the expansion of the Brahma Kumaris into over one hundred countries. She is also a Patron of the World Congress of Faiths and a member of the Global Peace Initiative of Women. She is now based in India Dada JP Vaswani is the spiritual head of the Sadhu Vaswani Mission. He is acclaimed as a humanitarian, philosopher, educator, writer, orator and spiritual leader, and his books have been translated into several languages. The Sadhu Vaswani Mission is a nonsectarian institution that believes in the unity of all religions and reveres the Great Ones of all faiths. The mission serves all sectors of society, regardless of caste, creed or race. Dr Chandrabhanu has choreographed almost fifty major choreographic works, productions and performances in Bharala Nalyani, Odissi, and contemporary dance styles, including Bharata Natyam solo recitals. Chandrabhanu is currently artistic director and principal of Chandrabhanu Bharatalaya Academy of Indian Classical Dance and Music, Melbourne. He is a recipient of the prestigious Monash University Graduate Scholarship and holds a PhD (1981) in Social Anthropology Swami Parameshananda is the United Nations and International Representative of Bharat Sevashram Sangha, a charitable, nonprofit organisation engaged as a consultant by the UN Economic and Social Council. Bharat Sevashram Sanga was founded in 1917 by Shrimat Swami Pranavandaji Maharaj The organisation is run mainly on a volunteer basis, initiating humanitarian missions throughout the world
Many people familiar with Islam are aware that Muslims are required to perform formal obligatory prayers (Salaat) daily. However, very few understand the wisdom behind this daily obligation, its predetermined times throughout the day, the preparation required, the reasoning behind facing toward Mecca, the various prayer positions and movements, and the utterances made during the prayer. In this Observance, Dr Suhair Al Qurashi, president and CEO of Dar Al-Hekma College in Saudi Arabia, will highlight the wisdom in these actions and how their practice can lead to inner peace. Dr Suhair Hassan Al-Qurashi is the president and CEO of Dar Al-Hekma College, one of the leading private colleges for women in Saudi Arabia Dr Al-Qurashi received a PhD and MPE from Cambridge University, an MSc from United States International University, and a BA from Richmond College, London. She is a civic and social leader who has organised three major international conferences in the Middle East on women and development issues through the 1990s.
Observance on Zimbabwe Shona/ Nodebele Spirituality Mandaza Augustine Kandemwa, Zimbabwe:
Shona/Ndebele Room 208 Religious or Spiritual Observance The Shona tribe is Zimbabwe's largest Indigenous group and is the most culturally dominant tribe. Their language is called Shona (Bantu). The Shona believe in two types of spirits: the wandering spirits known as Shave and the ancestral spirits known as vadzimu. The shave spirits are those that exist outside the Shona territory or are connected to neighbouring peoples; the vadzimu are the spirits that inspire individual talents associated with healing. music or artistic ability. Spirits influence ideals and moral aspects as well as serving to protect society-when the Shona moral ideals are not respected, that protection is lost. During this observance, the spirits will be honoured. Mandaza Augustine Kandemwa was born a Svikiro sin 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
Jain Education Intemational
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