Week of Global Interfaith Dialogue -- 2008

Buddhist-Muslim Dialogues


TOWARDS A GLOBAL FAMILY
MUSLIM-BUDDHIST DIALOGUE SERIES
United Nations, September 3 and 4

In 2008, as an introduction to the Week of Global Interfaith Dialogue, Global Family for Love and Peace, in cooperation with the Permanent Mission of the Republic of the Philippines to the United Nations organized the 10th Dialogue in a series of Buddhist-Muslim Dialogues. To have the opportunity to hold this event at the United Nations makes this Dialogue a special event, one that will resonate to bring about a sharing of common traditions, facilitate greater understanding of our interconnectedness and of our responsibility for each other, and enable us to work toward a more peaceful and cooperative future.

The Buddhist-Muslim Dialogue series was initiated to foster a new global communication on how Buddhism and Islam can respond together to the challenges created by the political, religious, economic and cultural crisis facing the world in the 21st century. The Dialogue's goals are to create a partnership between Buddhist and Muslim communities in order to face these challenges on a peaceful basis of cooperation and friendship.

Wednesday, September 3rd

Opening at the UN. Moderator: Bawa Jain

Opening addresses by Philippine Ambassador Hilario Davide, Dharma Master Hsin Tao, Jean Marc Coicaud.

Short Introduction to the series of Buddhist-Muslim Dialogues by Maria Reis Habito

Panel 1: Moderator: Robert Hunt Peace and Human Rights:

What are some dimensions of the Buddhist and Muslim understanding of peace that can be contributive to our current global situation? What do women’s perspectives have to bear on these issues? What are Buddhist and Muslim contributions to the understanding and active promulgation of Human Rights in the world today?

Buddhist speakers: Sharon Salzberg, Rev. Hogen Bays

Muslim Speakers: Daisy Khan, Shaykh Kabbani, Salwa Kader

Panel 2. Moderator: Bawa Jain

Poverty and Social Inequality: What are Muslim perspectives on poverty and social inequality? What are the Buddhist perspectives on these issues? What do women’s perspectives have to bear on these issues? What are some Buddhist and Muslim contributions to the understanding and active promulgation of Human Rights in the world today?

Muslim Speakers: Mona Siddiqui, Robert Hunt

Buddhist Speakers: Rev. Alan Senauke, Maria Reis Habito

Thursday September 4th

Panel 3. Moderator: Jean Marc Coicaud III

Ecological Healing and Earth Rights: What can Buddhists contribute to ecological healing and a better understanding of Earth Rights / What can Muslims contribute to the same? Is there a distinctive contribution that can be made by women of both traditions?

Buddhist Speakers: Rev. Jan Chozen Bays, Dharma Master Hsin Tao

Muslim Speakers: Imtiyaz Yussuf, Nawal Ammar  

Participants:

Buddhists

Rev. Jan Chozen Bays, Pediatrician, Teacher in the Zen-tradition, Co-founder and Co-abbot of the Great Vow Zen Monastery, Oregon

Rev. Hogen Bays, Zen-Teacher, Co-founder and Co-Abbot of Great Vow Zen Monastery, Oregon Sharon Salzberg, Spiritual teacher and Author, Co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society (IMS) in Barre, Massachusetts.

Rev. Hozan Alan Senauke — Soto Zen Priest, Vice Abbot of Berkeley Zen-Center, founder of Clear View Project, Senior Advisor to Buddhist Peace Fellowship.

Dr. Maria Reis Habito, International Program Director, Museum of World Religions, Global Family for Love and Peace, Dallas Office

Dharma Master Hsin Tao, Founder of the Global Family for Love and Peace

Muslims

Ms. Daisy Khan, Executive Director, American Society for Muslim Advancement

Dr. Nawal Ammar, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Dean of Faculty of Criminology, Justice and Policy Studies

Prof. Mona Siddiqui, Professor of Islamic Studies and Public Understanding, Director of the Centre for the Study of Islam, University of Glasgow Ms. Salwa Kader, President, U.S. Federation of Middle East Peace

Shayk Muhammed Hisham Kabbani, Founder and Chairman of the Islamic Supreme Council of America

Dr. Imtiyaz Yussuf, Head, Dept of Religion and Lecturer, Graduate School of Philosophy and Religion, Assumption University, Bangkok, Thailand

Dr. Robert Hunt, Director of Global Theological Education, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University

Facilitators: Bawa Jain, Secretary-General of The Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders. The World Council of Religious Leaders

Dr. Robert Hunt, Director of Global Theological Education, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University

Dr. Jean-Marc Coicaud, Acting Head of the United Nations University Office to the United Nations in New York.  

OTHER DIALOGUES