Bringing together different faiths, professions and nationalities
Friday, 27 July 2007, 12:26 p.m.
Dharamshala: In its quest to “bring together men and women of different faiths, professions and nationalities, through a range of initiatives and mutually sustaining collaborations,” the Foundation of Universal Responsibility of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, a not for profit, non-sectarian, non-denominational organization established with the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to His Holiness in 1989, has successfully concluded two of its major annual events: The Gurukul-Dharamshala Programme 2007 and Interfaith Dialogue Programme 2007.
The Gurukul-Dharamshala Programme is a month-long programme held every year in June, during which some 10 students of higher secondary schools and colleges selected from across the nation through the Society for Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture Amongst Youth, are accommodated in the monasteries, or nunneries in case of girl students, located in and around here.
During this sojourn, the students interact with their host communities, attend Buddhist philosophy classes at the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives and study the traditional Tibetan craftsmanship at the Norbulingka Institute, while at the same time, teaching English and Hindi to their host communities.
The Foundation hosts its Interfaith Dialogue Programme in Karnataka in between May-June every year. This ten-day programme is “for college students to embrace religious diversity, build cross-cultural understanding and encourage spiritual growth through the firsthand exploration of different faith traditions”
The programme includes lectures, discussion and films on religious tenants, practices, rituals and history of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam & Jainism, in addition to spending 2-3 days at centers of the respective faiths and the opportunity to participate in various rituals.
Both the aforesaid programmes have been extremely beneficial for the students, according to Programme Manager Thubten Tsewang. Those who undergo these programmes come out with a whole new perspective, be it on the Tibetan issue, or on religion diversity, he said.
Although an overwhelming number of students continue to apply for the programmes, because of limited infrastructure, the Foundation has been able to furnish only about a dozen students, Mr Tsewang added. Details of the two programmes, along with various other initiatives of the Foundation, are posted on www.furhhdl.org