When Prime Minister Scott Morrison visits India in January 2020, he will take with him three stolen artefacts (statues) from the National Gallery of Australia (Canberra). The National Gallery of Australia is voluntarily returning pieces procured unethically. These include a pair of dvarpalas (door guardians) from 15th century Tamil Nadu, and a statue of Nagaraja (serpent king), believed to be from 6th to 8th century Rajasthan or Madhya Pradesh.
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16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence – Day 12
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is a global initiative running from 25 November through 10 December, annually. In Hinduism there is prevalent worship of God as Mother. Thus, each woman is considered a manifestation of the Divine Mother. In the words of Swami Vivekananda, “It is not possible for a bird … Read more
2019 Parliamentary Interfaith Breakfast in Melbourne
The importance of championing diversity and inclusion were key themes at ACU’s fifth Parliamentary Interfaith Breakfast at Parliament House in Melbourne on Tuesday 26 November. Over 150 guests attended, including more than 45 faith leaders and 40 parliamentarians.
16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence – Day 11
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is a global initiative running from 25 November through 10 December, annually. Muhammad was orphaned at an early age. He once remarked that, “Heaven lies at the feet of mothers.” As the father of four daughters in a society that prized sons, he told other fathers … Read more
Spain: Interfaith Dialogue for Hope and Action
Representatives from multiple faith and religious backgrounds came together in Madrid, Spain on 1 December to find common ground in preparation for the United Nations Conference of Parties (COP) 25 in Madrid, Spain.
Thich Nhat Hanh travels to Thailand for health check-up
“We are grateful that Thay is so clear and engaged with respect to his medical care, which helps us make decisions to support his needs,” Plum Village writes in a new letter to students.
On November 28, Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh traveled from Huế, Vietnam to Thailand for a medical check-up at a hospital in Bangkok, a letter to his students from Plum Village reports.
16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence – Day 8
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is a global initiative running from 25 November through 10 December, annually. Zoroastrianism is a peace-loving and peace-supporting religion. Prophet Zarathushtra greatly opposed raids, oppression and all kinds of violent, hostile and wrongful behaviour. The Avestan Zoroastrian Creed explicitly says that supporting the “nidhasnaithishem” (non-violence) is … Read more
16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence – Day 7
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is a global initiative running from 25 November through 10 December, annually. I would love to see a world where pride wasn’t necessary, that we didn’t have to fight for our rights. I wish that everyone, regardless of gender, race, religion, beliefs or sexuality, had equal … Read more
16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence – Day 6
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is a global initiative running from 25 November through 10 December, annually. “When I came out as trans I was going to a Catholic school. The Catholic school promised me that they would have the utmost support. I soon found they didn’t when they wouldn’t let … Read more
ECAJ annual Report on Antisemitism in Australia
The Executive Council of Australian Jewry’s Report on Antisemitism in Australia in 2019 has now been released, covering the 12 months to 30 September 2019. A marked increase in anti-Semitic activities has been reported.
16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence – Day 5
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is a global initiative running from 25 November through 10 December, annually. In the early 1980s, shameful revelations of sexual, financial, and substance abuse by several respected Zen masters and other teachers of the dharma first came to light. These teachers were idolized by their communities. … Read more
Scanlon report: Taking Australia’s temperature on migration attitudes
The Scanlon Foundation conducts an annual 90-question report to assess Australian community attitudes to migration over time. On the whole, Australians feel better about themselves than news bulletins might suggest.Positive attitudes towards immigration have continued to predominate. Most respondents agreed that “multiculturalism has been good for Australia”. Respondents have been equally divided on the question “Do you think the government is too harsh in its treatment of asylum seekers?”. Australians are most likely to feel uneasy about Muslim immigrants than other faith groups. Concern about the environment and climate change has almost doubled – the largest annual increase since the survey began.
