Japanese Buddhist Organization Convenes Religious Leaders From India and Pakistan to Discuss Peace Through Religious Unity

KYOTO, Japan, Nov. 16, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Spiritual leaders from India and Pakistan are gathering today through November 18th in Kyoto, Japan, for the third dialogue in a year-long effort to deepen understanding of the underlying unity of religions as a framework for global peace.  The first two dialogues held earlier this year included Muslim religious leaders from Pakistan and Hindu religious leaders from India.  For the third meeting, Buddhist leaders from Japan have been asked to host a retreat for delegates from two religious traditions whose home countries have been in conflict.  

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The Global Peace Initiative of Women (GPIW), a US-based NGO, organized the first dialogue in February 2010 in Rishikesh, India and focused on the shared wisdom of the Muslim (Sufi) and Hindu (Yogic) traditions.  The second meeting took place in Kathmandu, Nepal in April and focused on the nature of the times in which we live and how the Muslim and Hindu traditions can help address some of the critical global challenges.  The third meeting in Kyoto is focusing on how Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist leaders can come together in a new sense of unity to inspire peace in regions around the world.  

"The deepening of our human unity is essential now as we strive to meet the challenges facing our world.  Religions can no longer afford to focus on that which differentiates and separates.  We must come to our common source and realize we are all part of the One," said Dena Merriam, founder of Global Peace Initiative of Women and organizer of the three-part interfaith dialogues. "Only through this consciousness can we hope to gain the wisdom needed to achieve a more peaceful and sustainable world."

As the dialogue continues over the next two days, delegates will search their traditions for insight into the roots of conflict and the possibilities of peace. As Dr. Doudou Diene of Senegal, former UN Special Rapporteur on matters of racism related topics, pointed out, "Part of the cause of human conflict may be the regarding of human beings as the highest achievement without including the spiritual wisdom that tempers that point of view."

Hindu delegates from India include Sraddhalu Ranade from the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Swamini Pramananda, a teacher of Vedanta, Swami Bodhicitananda, from the Divine Life Society, and Swami Medhasananda from the Ramakrishna Math. Muslim delegates from Pakistan include Mohammed Suheyl Umar from the Iqbal Academy, Ayeda Naqvi of the Chishti Sufi Order and Ejaz Akram from the Shadhili Order.

Shinnyo-en, a Buddhist community with roots in Japan is the host of the Kyoto interfaith dialogue.  The three-day dialogue will be held at Ryukyo-in in the city of Kyoto, one of the most important spiritual centers of Japanese Buddhist traditions.  

"Shinnyo-en is committed to altruism and peace building efforts all over the world and across religions.  It is our honor to host this important interfaith dialogue, and to be able to bring our Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist friends to our Ryukyo-in, which we feel will have lasting effects," said Reverend Minoru Shitara, Associate Director of Planning Department, Shinnyo-en.  

About the Global Peace Initiative of Women

The Global Peace Initiative of Women (GPIW) is a non-profit inter-religious organization that emerged from the summit of religious leaders held at the United Nations in 2000 – the Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders.  For the past decade it has been organizing inter-religious gatherings around the world, often in places of conflict and tension, with a focus on the contemplative traditions.

For further information, see: www.gpiw.org

About Shinnyo-en

Shinnyo-en is practiced by around one million practitioners worldwide and has 168 temples in sixteen countries.  Shinnyo-en has been involved in philanthropic causes since its creation, working closely with organisations such as the Red Cross and the UN.  Under Her Holiness Shinso Ito's leadership, Shinnyo-en has established and supported a number of foundations that promote education, health, the arts, economic empowerment for the underprivileged, environmental awareness, and interfaith dialogue.  

For further information, see: www.Shinnyoen.org

SOURCE Global Peace Initiative of Women