Tasmania, October 2017

Tasmania Logo

In October, members of Religions for Peace Tas are invited to join the Australian Walk Together event: https://www.walktogether.com.au/     In Hobart, Walk Together will be held at Parliament House lawns at 11am on Saturday 21 October 2017. We will meet at the venue.


Greetings of peace!

From the Walk Together FB site:

Walk Together is Welcome to Australia’s annual national celebration of Australia’s diversity, designed as a tangible expression of the welcoming, fair and compassionate society we are committed to building. Faced with unjust policies towards people seeking asylum, it is more important than ever for us to amplify the values of compassion and welcome. This is especially true for our friends who now face a looming and unreasonable October deadline to lodge their claims for protection in Australia.

In its sixth year, and building on the success of the past, we hope to coordinate Walk Together in as many as 30 cities and regional centres around Australia.

 

In 2017, we will be walking together in the name of freedom:
The freedom to belong and be respected equally. Freedom of religion, of
expression, beliefs and opinions. The freedom to be yourself and the freedom to
hope.

 

Here are the highlights from Walk Together 2016:

 

 

Preparing for the Unexpected

On Monday November 6 from 5.00-6.30pm, there will be a session entitled Preparing for the Unexpected at the Brahma Kumaris Meditation Centre 51 Risdon Rd., New Town (Cnr of Bell St).

Would you know what to take with you if authorities suddenly asked you to evacuate from your home? Would you know what you would need to have stored in your house if power went down for several days and you could not leave your home?

Colleen Ridge, the Senior Officer, (Planning and Education) of the Tasmanian State Emergency Service Emergency Management Unit will talk to us about how to prepare for an emergency.

Examples of emergencies include fire, flood, severe storms, hazardous material spills, explosions, terrorist attacks, loss of electricity, water or telecommunications and outbreak of contagious disease and transport accidents.

Knowing how to prepare and understanding emergency procedure protocols can lessen the stress at such a critical time.

It will help us to know how many people will be attending, so booking on 6278 3788 or hobart@au.brahmakumaris.org is essential.

Festivals this Month

The special days in October are

     

  • 19 October Diwali (Festival of Lights) Hinduism; Bandi Chhor Divas (Celebration of Freedom) Sikhism
  • 21 October Birth of the Bab, Baha’i
  • 22 October Birth of Baha’ullah, Baha’i
  • 1 November All Saints’ Day, Christianity
  • 4 November Birth of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Founder of Sikhism.

Diwali in Hobart

Join in the celebration of Diwali, the Indian Festival of Light, with the Indian Communities from 4.00-9.00pm on Friday 20 October 2017 in Franklin Square, Hobart. Everyone is welcome to join the festivities!

Street Eats Franko is proud to partner with the Multicultural Council of Tasmania to present Diwali – the Indian Festival of Light, symbolising the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil, hope over despair.

Diwali brings the community together in a dazzling display of lights, with rich and colourful performances that reflect the depth and diversity of our Indian Cultural groups here in Tasmania – from Indian classical dancing and music, to a Bollywood spectaular.

 

Meditations offered for Seniors Week: Caring for our Inner Selves in the Age of Wisdom

Practical and interactive sessions with an introduction to a simple form of meditation. We will share how to connect with our own inner peace and explore resources of inner strength and resilience in challenging times.

Triabunna: Monday 16 October, 1pm – 2pm, Community Health Centre, 7 Esplanade St.

Oatlands: Friday 20 October, 1.15pm – 2.15pm, Midlands Community Centre, 68 High St.

Burnie: Saturday 21 October, 11am – 12pm, Burnie LINC, 30 Alexander St.

Please book by phone: 6278 3788 or email: hobart@au.brahmakumaris.org

 

Acharya Prabhamitra in Hobart

Aryasamaj in association with the Hindu Society to Tasmania is hosting a Lecture series by Acharya Prabhamitra in Hobart from 19th to 24th October 2017.

The venue for the lectures will be the Red Lounge, Red Cross Building, 40 Melville St. Hobart. The tentative timings of the programs will be: Thursday 19th October 6.15 pm to 8 pm, Saturday 21st October 3pm to 5pm, Sunday 22nd October 3pm to 5pm, Monday 23rd October 6.15pm to 8pm, Tuesday 24th October 6.15pm to 8pm

The topics of the programs and discussions will cover the following: Yoga and Meditation, Peace and Harmony, Trita Philosophy of the Vedas, Yogasana and Pranayama, Wealth and Prosperity, Vedic Daily Prayer, Q & A on Vedic Literature.

The topics will be decided based on the interests of participants. There will be an opportunity to ask questions after each of these lectures. Lectures in Hindi will be translated into English.

Admission is free and all are welcome. For more information please contact Gloria Smith (0409214170), Ramesh Narayana (0406384796) or Ajit Ramadas (0411300630). You can also email us at hsot@hotmail.com or ajitasr@gmail.com.

Download a Flyer about Acharya Prabhamitra.

 

TCC Emergencies Ministry

The Emergencies Ministry project encourages the involvement of people from all faith traditions to train to be spiritual/emotional support personnel
during times of emergencies and disasters in Tasmania.

The South: and the East Coast of the state are forecast to have an above normal fire potential this summer, with an early start to the fire season. So, we are keen to have as many volunteers available as possible. Hopefully, we won’t be needed but we want to be prepared if we are.

We are running a fast-track (half day) Refresher Course in Rokeby on Saturday October 21. If you are in the south of the state and are due for a refresher please join us.

Further details and the registration form are available at http://tccem.org.au/register_for_training/ Please register by Tuesday next week.

Other Initial Training courses are also listed on the website (Nov 21 in Claremont and Nov 25 in Launceston). If you know of people who might be suitable and interested, please let them know.

See Tasmania Council of Churches Emergency Ministries Website

 

Medicine Buddha Mandala & Mantra Garland Art Course

Chagtong Chentong Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Centre announce a Medicine Buddha Mandala & Mantra Garland Art Course with internationally renowned artist ANDY WEBER. This is a ​Weekend Course and Public Talk ~ suitable for all levels of interest October 27-29.

You definitely do not need to be an ‘artist’ to attend this course.

This presentation, with Andy Weber , an astute and experienced long time Buddhist practitioner and artist, will offer an opportunity to help demystify the symbolism found in Tibetan Buddhism, to make more tangible, understandable and relevant the mantras (depicted in often foreign Sanskrit characters) and also give explanation of the mandalas, meaning and place within our established practice or our newly emerging interest in Dharma practice and also offer invaluable step by step ways to enhance visualization techniques.

Learn about the interconnectedness of all things from art, music, gestures, colours, words and more. A wonderful opportunity especially for those in any caring position, individually or professionally and generally for those interested in the power of Medicine Buddha More details HERE

Possibly useful References: HOW HOLY OBJECTS WORK and BENEFITS OF MEDICINE BUDDHA MANTRA

  • Event: Medicine Buddha Mandala & Mantra Garland Art Course
  • Dates: October 27-29 Art tuition, meditation and mantra recitation
  • Accommodation: This is a non-residential Art Retreat weekend
  • Lecture: October 30 – General Public lecture
  • Venue: Kickstart Art Centre, St Johns Park, New Town.
  • Program details: HERE for registration, course schedule and materials required.
  • Facebook Event: HERE
  • Inquiries – e: ctctprogram@gmail.com
  • Registrations: ctctregistration@gmail.com

 

Soul Food

soulfoodtas

The next offering from Soul Food will be on Sunday 5th November 3pm at the Baha’i Centre of Learning for Tasmania. This will have the theme “Children – Shining Lamps of the Future” and will highlight the importance of education of children. Music will be JMae Parr and Yvette Cross/Violin. Soul Food is found at 1 Tasman Highway Hobart. As always we do our best to provide a thought provoking relaxing pleasant program for all, so please join us at the Baha’i Centre of Learning. Refreshments served. For more information call Val 0404 080 768.

Dancers of Universal Peace:

Dancing will be held on Tuesday 7th November at 7.30pm.

We dance upstairs at Wesley Hall , 58 Melville St. There is parking in the car park. You will need to enter through the side entrance via the car park and head up the stairs.

  • Dancing is held on the First Tuesday of each month 7.30 – 9.30pm
  • Suggested donation $10
  • Enquiries ph 62 393499 or 0400051963

 

Hobart Buddhist Meditation Centre

Hobart Buddhist Meditation Centre are offering The Power of the Heart Retreat from 12th – 18th November, 2017 at the Dorje Linig Retreat Centre, Lorinna.

The heart is a potent and often under-valued resource. When the heart engages tremendous warmth, energy and power can enter our practice. Our minds
settle with the pulsing of the heart. In this retreat, anchoring ourselves in foundational meditative practice, we will expand to explore practices to uncover the ‘aliveness’ of the heart.

Event Details
Dates: 12th – 18th November, 2017
Cost: Base cost $495 + dana – monetary contribution for teacher
Where: Dorje Ling Retreat centre, Lorinna Rd, Lorinna, Tasmania.
Bookings: contact Kevin Englefield – tasmania@jesshuon.com

About Jess Huon:

Jess has been engaging in meditative and embodiment practices since she was seventeen years old in Asia, Australia, Spain, and the USA. She has trained in traditional Buddhist monastic settings and also within long periods of solitary forest practice. Holding a Bachelor of Creative Arts, (VCA), and a post grad in the therapeutic arts practice, (RMIT), Jess brings traditional teaching alive in a fresh, accessible, and transformative manner. A natural orator, her talks have been described as ‘street language for the soul.’ Jess teaches regularly with the Melbourne Insight Group, (www.Melbourneinsightgroup.org)

Spiritual Care Australia:

Here is your chance to explore new horizons… by leading a workshop or seminar at the Spiritual Care Australia National Conference, 6 – 9 May 2018 City Hall, Newcastle, NSW.

Send us your idea! – It must:

  • Support the conference theme – “Towards New Horizons”
  • Explore innovative approaches to spiritual care
  • Confront the challenges to our evolving profession
  • Consider differing contexts for spiritual care.

Consider what you could present. What are you doing or learning or researching in your place that will help your colleagues in spiritual care?

In a workshop we expect to actively participate; in a seminar we expect to learn something new and ask questions.

Presenter/s will have one hour. The due date for all submissions is 22 November 2017. Submissions may be completed online. See here for submissions.

Byakko Shinko Kai

Great news; Masami SAIONJI is coming to visit Australia and it’s only happning in GEELONG, Victoria. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to spend time with the spiritual chairperson of Byakko Shinko Kai; a rare treat for us in Australia and especially Geelong.

Her dates for workshops and the public lecture are Wednesday November 29th and Thursday 30th.

Wednesday November 29th: Our time with Masami Saionji for teaching the new Divine Spark IN is 1pm-4pm.      An IN, similar to a mudra or a blessing, is a way to bring harmonising energy into this world. We form an IN with our hands and fingers, like a ‘divine sign language’. She says that when we form the noble, radiant Divine Spark IN, we are selfless and pure, at one with the divine. We become a ladder of light connecting all humanity in oneness.

Public Lecture: 7pm to either 8 or 8.30pm: This will be a more general presentation, focusing on her life story. It is fascinating and inspiring. Anyone can attend this evening and it would be a delight to welcome you into her uplifting presence.

Thursday November 30th: General dialogue…questions, etc.      1pm to about 3pm. This is a special time where attendees can ask questions, or just listen to whatever she feels led to share with you. It’s an informal time for those who know within themselves that they are divine beings, no matter whether you follow a traditional belief system, have no formal belief system; are a compassionate person, love nature, or whatever.

VENUE: Eastern Hub Geelong, 285a McKillop Street (corner of Humble Street), East Geelong, Victoria 3219 Australia, in the Hinchcliff Room
Enquiries: jennyfunston@gmail.com See www.peacepossibilities.blogspot.com.au

Australian Religious Response to Climate Change

At the moment, we’re launching our first crowdfunding campaign to employ two Community Organisers. Can you help? Double your impact! Your donation will go twice as far as the amount you donate. Someone has very kindly offered to match whatever is donated, dollar for dollar, up to a total of $6000. So, we only need to raise $6000 in order to reach our overall goal of $12,000!

The most effective way of mobilising people of faith to take action on the climate crisis is to employ professional Community Organisers. This year, ARRCC has done that and it has made a huge difference.

ARRCC’s Community Organisers have held trainings for people of faith, organised a sit-in and then a meeting with the Environment Minister, published our views in the Guardian, brought faith leaders together to agree on common actions, shown films and promoted climate change action kits for various faith communities.

ARRCC has employed two Community Organisers at different times this year – Angela Merriam and, more recently, Tejopala Rawls. They have both proved invaluable. Now we’d like to pay both of them to work together as a team.

For just $12,000 we can hire both of these wonderful organisers for three more months. That will make a huge difference as the campaign against the Adani mine intensifies.

Please help ARRCC raise $12,000 so that we can hire both of these wonderful organisers for three more months and keep up the pressure to move away from fossil fuels, stop the Adani mine and care for the Earth that we share. You can read more and donate here

From Zenit:

https://zenit.org/articles/pope-francis-receives-president-of-germany/ – Pope Francis expresses his appreciation of the ecumenical and interreligious dialogue happening in Germany during the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s Reformation.

https://zenit.org/articles/rohingya-frequently-asked-questions-by-cardinal-charles-bo/ – the first every Cardinal of Myanmar speaks about the Rohingya people’s crisis.

From Parliament of the World’s Religions – An Invitation to the first ever Faith-Based UN-Habitat Urban Thinkers Campus (UTC) from Nov. 13-15, 2017 in Singapore.

In peace,
Terry
Convenor RfP Tasmania Branch
Vice Chair, Religions for Peace Australia
Phone 6272 6521


Religions for Peace Tasmania

Religions for Peace Tasmania

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