The Community of Religions: Voices and Images of the Parliament of the World’s Religions

Description

The papers in this volume form a record of the 1993 Parliament of the World's Religions, which was one of the largest interfaith gatherings ever held. Representatives from minority, ethnic and tribal religions took the podium as equals alongside representatives from the world's largest religious traditions. This volume contains major addresses and reflections of this parliament, set in context by an introduction and conclusion by the editors. Cover Half-title Title Copyright Contents Introduction: Harmony in the Midst of Great Diversity Part I: HISTORICAL CONSIDERATIONS 1. The Importance of Religious Harmony 2. The Two Parliaments, the 1893 Original and the Centennial of 1993: A Historian's View The Spirits of Two Ages Institutional Setting, Form, and Intention Patterns of Dominance and Inclusivity Continuities and Discontinuities A Chain of Parliaments Part II: THE 1993 PARLIAMENT OF THE WORLD'S RELIGIONS 3. Dancing Honeybees and Sacred Snakes The Life of a Symbol in the "Forest of Signs" Stories and Memes The Image, the Sacred, and the New Paradigm 4. A Parliament of the People Overview of Process The Program and Plenaries Major Presentations, Workshops, and Special Symposia Fine Arts Communications and Networking The Parliament of the People Commentary 5. Voices of Vision: The Parliament and Beyond 6. Gazing into the Cosmic Soul: A Participant's Reflection on the Parliament Part III: MAJOR PRESENTATIONS AT THE SECOND PARLIAMENT 7. In Darkness Grows the Green 8. What Shall We Do? The Millennial Moment: Thinking Like Earth and Our Gifts Optimism, Hope, and Confidence 9. The Catholic Church and Other Religions 1. Aspects of Truth and Goodness Present in All Religions 2. Dialogue: Pope Paul Vl's Teaching in Ecclesiam Suam 3. Salvation 4. Peace 10. Elements of Nirvana 11. Inward Journeys: Life as Art Form 12. Until the Pain Is Over 13. Sharing Our Visions: An Open Letter 14. Socially Engaged Christianity: One Example of Contemplation and Action 15. The Qur'anic Formula: To Save Humankind 1. The Tawhidic^ Concept of One Community 2. The Epistemic Dimension of Tawhid 3. However, in Leading the Evolution of Human Society God Has Been Working on Two Planes 4. Unlike Angels Men Create Corruption and Cause Bloodshed! What is the Divine Wisdom in Creating Such a Creature? 5. How Are the Hereafter and the Present Phase of Life Mutually Related? 6. In the Light of the Above Elaborations the Meanings of the Surah #103 of the Qur'an Should Become Quite Clear Part IV: MODELS FOR THE FUTURE 16. The Parliament Experience: 1993 and Beyond Identity, Dialogue, and the Critical Issues What Are the Traditional Teachings— and the Range of Other Opinions—within Your Faith on the Following Issues Beyond 1993 The International Initiative The International Initiative Has Three Essential Components: 17. Toward a Global Ethic: An Initial Declaration: Its Making and Its Future 18. The Peace Council: An Initiative Inspired by the Parliament The Nature of the Peace Council Mission and Goals Methods, Activities, and Initiatives 19. The Chicago Model 20. Religions on the Eve of the Twenty-First Century The Axial Period Axial and Primal Spirituality The Second Axial Period The Task of Religions Part V: VISIONS FOR THE FUTURE 21. The Planetary Parliament A Good Conversation Similarity, Complementarity, Implementarity The Symbiotic Model: Communication and Community 22. The Role of Religions in the Twenty-First Century 23. The Great Circle Dance of the Religions 24. Pluralism and Oppression: Dialogue between the Many Religions and the Many Poor To Make Dialogue Possible To Make Dialogue Authentic To Protect Dialogue from Exploitation by the Powerful Works Cited 25. The Interspiritual Age: Global Spirituality in the Third Millennium Global Spirituality The Elements of Global Spirituality The Capacities of a Universal Spirituality 26. Toward the Dialogue of Love 27. Music as a Way of Intuitive Wisdom and Self-Knowledge 28. Possibilities for an Ongoing Program The Renewal of Religions Unity of Humanity as Growing Community in the Good The Civilization of Tomorrow Epilogue: Continuing the Dance Appendices A. Towards a Global Ethic B. Resources for Study and Networking Contributors