inter Fath Dialogue at Shivanand Ashram
Inter Faith Dialogue at Shivanand Ashram
“Clean the mind, Green the Environment”
With the initiative of Rt. Rev. Thomas Macwan, Bishop of Ahmadabad, An Inter Faith Dialogue was held at Shivanand Ashram, Ahmadabad on May 4th, 2013. The religious leaders who participated, include Rt. Rev. Thomas Macwan, Bishop of Ahmadabad, Swami Adhyatmanandaji from Shivanand Ashram, Shri Ushadidi from Brahmakumari, and Dr.Jyotikare from Buddhist Community. Fr.Joseph Appavo, director of Kaira Social Service Society, in his brief introduction, highlighted the purpose of the dialogue which was the continues event of this religious solidarity group.
The dialogue highlighted that our Country faces very difficult and challenging problems like polarization of the communities based on bias and prejudices, female foeticide, environmental degradation, HIV/AIDS, T.B., and so on. Rt. Rev. Thomas Macwan and Swami Adhyatmanandaji expressed their deep concern, feeling of oneness and solidarity to continue to commit themselves to address these life threatening issues. The people living with HIV/AIDS need our compassion and selfless service so that they can live with dignity. Dr.Jyotikare, in his sharing expressed that the poor and marginalized especially the T.B. infected, slum dwellers need our special attention and care to address their root problems of hunger and disease. Shri Ushadidi told that change is possible only through the change of one’s own dhrusti (attitude):
“Clean the Mind and Green the Environment”
All agreed in one voice that Global Warming and environment degradation is one of the biggest challenges today. So we need to sensitize the communities through all our functions, special events, and religious ceremonies. “Plant more trees, even welcome the people with a gift of plant and protect the environment which will protect and save the lives of every human person and our Mother Earth back.” It was suggested that the International Peace Day can be celebrated by all the religious leaders unitedly on this issue. It was also felt that this fellowship dialogue must continue. At the end Swami Adhyatmanandaji shared his fellowship meal with the religious leaders present.
(Shailesh Khambhalia)