By Acharya S.P. Dwivedi
It’s quite an encouraging fact that multifaith movement is gradually picking up momentum in BC. Since last couple of years several organizations have been formed in Greater Vancouver to cultivate culture of peace and harmony.
Multifaith Action Society has been quite active for three decades in this field. It has recently launched a project-“Power of Spirit” which will include monthly discussion forums from January 2013 to June 2013. The theme of this is-‘A Multifaith Exploration of Triumph over Adversity and Persecution’. Society aims to bring spiritual and cultural communities together to explore the various ways how their beliefs and traditions have helped them to overcome the problems of adversity and persecution and what we have learnt from the history. It is meant to educate and know another about their faith and experiences.
Actually, each session will be hosted by a different community and features a revolving a “guest” community. Consequently, it will help diverse communities in developing intercultural and multifaith relationship.
The participating speakers from various communities are selected by the MAS. Ten major communities of religions of the world will take part in this project which is financed by Government. Event is free and open to all.
In its first discussion forum on 23rd January Jack Bastow of Baha’i and Sukhvinder Vinning of Sikh religion were the speakers. The second event was held at Laxmi Narayan Temple in Surrey on February 20, 2013. The delicious food was served to guests in the beginning of program at 6.30 PM. The host speaker was a well known television reporter and communication expert –Shachi Kurl while the guest speaker was an eminent Unitarian scholar –Phillip Hewett.
President of MAS – Mr. Derek La Croix welcomed the guests followed by Treasurer, Acharya Dwivedi’s invocation. He also introduced the keynote speaker –Shachi Kurl and Director Sukh Johal introduced P.Hewett. Their presentation was very impressive, enlightening and inspirational. Maureen Croix introduced the dialogue component. Fourteen circles were formed who discussed on the theme of Adversity and Persecution; and their facilitators later read the summarized report. More than eighty people of various faiths and communities participated in the forum discussion.
