October–December 2010, Volume 37
Features
Dialogue Draws Religions Closer
The Significance and Direction of Interreligious Dialogue
by Keiichi Akagawa
Not surprisingly, all religions and sects are fundamentally based on an exclusionary absolutism that holds that their own doctrines and practices are the best. Consequently, it would stand to reason that most religions and sects are at times exclusive and dogmatic. In fact, if viewed from the perspective of world history, one could say that the history of religion is a history of disputes concerning each religion’s exclusionary absolutism. . . .
Recent Developments in Christian-Muslim Relations
by Michael L. Fitzgerald
In many parts of the world the social climate is not conducive to closer ties, but religious leaders have an important part to play in improving this situation.
Critical Challenges in Interreligious Dialogue
by A. Rashied Omar
An Islamic authority warns that religious pluralism, unlike religious plurality, is not a given fact in any society. It constitutes an ongoing process in which different religious traditions learn to interact positively with each other.
Peace with Justice – an Interfaith Perspective
by Olav Fykse Tveit
When we are mutually accountable to one another, engage both firmly and openly, speak clearly, and listen carefully, our dialogue becomes robust. It challenges, stretches, tests, and renews.
Some Reflections on Interreligious Dialogue
by Andrea Bellandi
Dialogue does not involve only theoretical thinking, necessary as it may be. It must be . . . a meeting at the level of spiritual life and religious experience, which are at the heart of all religions.
From Encounter to Dialogue
by J. P. Mukengeshayi Matata
During the second half of the last century, the manner of thinking of religions changed from one of intolerance and exclusivity to a new pluralistic understanding. This was largely due to the increase in research and knowledge about religions outside of Western Christianity.
Spiritual Growth Through Interfaith Encounters
by Hans Ucko
Religion is a player in this world and society. It has a tradition of ethical and moral values to offer for the discourse in society. Every religion has a contribution to make.
Building a Common Ground for Religious Encounters
An interview with Rev. Juan Masiá
Rev. Juan Masiá has spent most of his life in Japan since 1966 and was ordained a Roman Catholic priest in Tokyo in 1973. Since that time, he has been a leading proponent of interreligious dialogue in Japan and his native country of Spain. When Father Masiá visited Rissho Kosei-kai in June of this year, Dharma World interviewed him on how dialogue between people of different cultures and religions can be successfully promoted.
The Task That Interreligious Dialogue Presents
by Nichiko Niwano
Rissho Kosei-kai’s president, Rev. Nichiko Niwano, delivered an address in the guest palace of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Rome on June 16, 2009, during the opening ceremony of the Fourth Summit of Religious Leaders, held before the G8 summit of leading industrialized nations convened in July in L’Aquila, Italy. The following are adapted excerpts from that address.
Applying Buddhist Values for Successful Interreligious Dialogue on Ethics
by Parichart Suwanbubbha
One of the most important values in Buddhism is tolerance, not a “lazy tolerance,” but rather accepting everything and everyone as they are. This value implies an acceptance of plurality.
Reflections
Working Together for Lasting Peace
by Nikkyo Niwano
Speech
Self-Defense and Defense Against the Self
by Jack Miles
Opening remarks at the Symposium on Religion and Peace, held under the theme “Global Militarization – Religions’ Response,” at the Student Center of the University of California, Irvine (UCI), on May 13, 2010.
Interview
The Significance for Today of Gandhian Philosophy
An Interview with Ms. Ela Gandhi
Ms. Ela Gandhi, a South African peace activist and a granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi, visited Japan from October 30 to November 7, 2009, to call at Rissho Kosei-kai’s headquarters and Dharma Centers and to meet Japanese parliamentarians. Dr. Pema Gyalpo interviewed Ms. Gandhi in Tokyo for Dharma World on her long-standing involvement in social work in South Africa and on the unfading significance of the Gandhian philosophy in the twenty-first century.
