October–December 2009, Volume 36
Features
Religion and Prayer
Prayer Brings Out the Buddha-Nature in Yourself and Others
by Hiroe Kikuchi
Scripture and Prayer
by Joseph S. O’Leary
Today our spiritual reading of scriptures requires a critical discernment between what is obsolete in the old texts and what can still speak to us and challenge us.
Zen and the Art of Prayer
by Ruben L. F. Habito
All the classic forms of prayer are fully activated as we sit in silence, breathing in and breathing out. Zen practice in this way can be considered a form of prayer that does not have recourse to words.
The Islamic Concept of Worship and Prayer
by Kazuko Shiojiri
A scholar of the theology of Islam describes the Islamic view of humanity and the role of worship in that faith and points out that it is possible to see in the religion’s fundamental beliefs a common concept with those held by Judaism and Christianity.
Prayer in Spiritual Caregiving
by Vimala Inoue
When we feel hostile toward the person we are trying to love and care for, we need prayer as a way to forgive ourselves and give ourselves time to let kind feelings revive within us.
The Spiritual Language of Each Human Being
by Alberto Quattrucci
Prayer as a source of peace is a complex theme. The circumstances in which we live make a difference. How can we be united in prayer, how can prayer be a source of peace for us?
Interviews
Religion Can Unite People and Alleviate Alienation
An Interview with Ms. Shirley Alphonse, a spiritual leader-healer of the T’Sou-ke Nation, Canada
Ms. Shirley Alphonse visited Japan in June 2009 for cultural exchange with the Japanese people and to share T’Sou-ke tribe and Shinto ceremonies. She spoke and performed the T’Sou-ke smudge ritual on the University of Tokyo main campus and also at Tanashi Shrine in Tokyo. The following interview took place via e-mail after her around-the-clock schedule during her visit to Japan had ended.
Shedding Light on Each Other’s Beliefs
An Interview with Dr. Gotthard Fermor, a joint leader of a German interfaith dialogue group
In April, twenty-six members of a German interfaith dialogue group led jointly by Dr. Gotthard Fermor, visited Rissho Kosei-kai in Tokyo. They visited Japan to study religious- and humanity-related themes in Japanese culture and discuss them with Buddhists and Christians. Dharma World interviewed Dr. Fermor as follows on the significance of interreligious dialogue.
Seminar Report
The Lotus Sutra and Interfaith Relations
by Joseph M. Logan
Conference Report
Promoting Dialogue for “Shared Security”
Essay
Buddhism: The Way to Dialogue
by Pablito A. Baybado Jr.
In a region of diverse cultures and religions, dialogue has to be both the way of life and the mission of each culture and religion if peace is to reign in Asia.
Reflections
Forging Ties with the Buddha
by Nichiko Niwano
When we are first able to put our hands together reverently for ourselves, then we can truly put our hands together reverently for others, and understand the preciousness of the lives of others.
