Audio guide for D  

1、In Praise of the Three Teachings and Nine Schools of Thought Intercultural and Interfaith Harmony has been realised in China since Ancient Times.

There have been successful cases of intercultural and interfaith harmony in China since ancient times. Such wealth of experience offers relevant references for society today. There is a famous stele in China titled “In Praise of the Three Teachings and Nine Schools of Thought”. The stele is inscribed with the words of Emperor Suzong of the Tang dynasty (711-762AD): “The Three Teachings [Confucianism, Taoismand Buddhism] are one. The Nine Schools of Thought share the same origin. There are many approaches to the one truth, and many paths to the same door.” This concept of multiculturalism is the intercultural harmony that has long been advocated by UNESCO, and was promoted by Chinese President Xi at UNESCO in 2014: “Civilisations are enriched through dialogue and learning from one another.”

▶ A famous stele of the Shaolin Temple -In Praise of the Three Teachings and Nine Schools of Thought. This stele was erected in 1565 by a renowned scientist and musician Zhu Zaiyu, a member of the royal family during the Ming dynasty. The image depicts one person in which can be seen as three separate people, there by creatively conveying the truth that all faiths and traditions are one and the same. Sitting cross-legged in the centre is Sakyamuni Buddha, Laozi (or Lao-Tse)wears a Taoist capon the right and Confucius wears a Confucian head-cover on the left. The three great traditions of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism are united as one.

In order to save mankind from the consequences of technology inspired by greed, I believe that we need worldwide cooperation among the adherents of all religions and philosophies.

                      

— Arnold J. Toynbee

2、Toowoomba: A Model Multicultural City of Peace and Harmony

Toowoomba is a beautiful garden city of Australia with a population of 120,000 residents. The population comes from various countries around the world with over 80 ethnic groups and 100 different spoken languages. Despite the diversity of culture, customs and religious beliefs, Toowoomba’s residents treat one another equally and they live in harmony.

The Pure Land Learning College Association was established in Toowoomba, Australia in 2001 by Venerable Master Chin Kung as founder and president. Every Saturday night since then, for over ten years, the Pure Land Learning College Association has hosted Friendship Dinners and Intercultural Forums where local residents engage in harmonious dialogue transcending distinctions of ethnicity, religion and language. Visitors feel at home, like a family. During interfaith forums in Toowoomba, delegates from the public sector and various religions, together with the residents, aspired to establish Toowoomba as a “model city of multicultural peace and harmony”.

▲Friendship dinner at the Pure Land Learning College, Toowoomba (September 2014). Venerable Master Chin Kung said: “Two years ago, Toowoomba’s faith leaders said that they wished to create the world’s first model city of multicultural harmony in Toowoomba. This was facilitated by the College’s weekly friendship dinners over the last thirteen years. It proves that interfaith harmony is truly possible.”

Scriptures and Human Relations Symposium 2015

▲Diversity is full of richness and blessings if we continue to relate to each other with an open heart


Women’s Forum: Woman, Family, Education

▲Our MC, Kim Walmsley, leading Yarn Time (Dislogue circles)

▲Guest speakers from left, Dawn Currey, Judy Antonio, Christina Peak and Venerable Wu Ping in a panel discussion


Women Encounter-A Compassionate Day of Retreat

▲Kim Walmsley led us through the copper wire art activity

▲Reflecting on compassion in our lives led by Nicole Rangiira after we were all relaxed

Spirituality, Morals and Virtues Seminar at Toowoomba, Australia

In late 2014, Pure Land Learning College Association started a monthly seven-day seminar on Spirituality, Morals and Virtues in Chinese, and since March 2015, a similar five-day seminar in English. These seminars have proven highly effective in helping participants to learn about moral ethics, virtue and causality. They learn to love and respect their parents, care for siblings, be loyal and trustworthy, and are inspired to change improper thoughts and conduct.

Toowoomba the model for a world of peace and harmony

'A Matter of Faith' on ABC
Radio Belinda Sanders hosted this series since 2014.
Past series are avaliable at http://bit.ly/1Ieksnj

'Voices of Faith' on FM102.7
A young Muslim sharing the values of a good citizen Past series are avaliable at http://interfaith-harmony.org/voices-of-faith/






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