RfP Tasmania – August 2014

Download Hobart flyer here (200kb pdf)

Please book with Stuart Lord Ph: 0488 487 526 or email: tas.khachodling@gmail.com

HEALTH, HEALING and the BUDDHA-DHARMA

The analogy of seeing the Buddha as the doctor, the Dharma as his prescription and the Sangha as our health-carers & supporters is often used to describe the process of taking refuge in,or relying upon, the various aspects of the Buddhist path.

The Buddha-Dharma provides us with a rich tapestry of techniques, from grounding and mindfulness through to positive healing visualisation, which we can use to extend our systemic approach to healing.

For the four Tuesday nights through August from the 5th to the 26th, Roger McLennan will host a wide-ranging discussion on the nature of health and healing and the ways in which we can positively influence and enhance our well-being.

About Hobart Buddhist Meditation Centre :

• Meditation and Discussion 7.30-9 pm, every Tuesday.
• 71 Liverpool St, [down the lane towards the gym, in the door between the bamboo pots and up the stairs to the 2nd floor]
• email info – at – hobartbuddhistmeditationcentre.com
• website www.hobartbuddhistmeditationcentre.com

Launceston News

I would like to explore a community event we are gauging interest in/support for, for World Peace Day on September 21st – the extent of which will determine whether it is held this year or postponed till next.

As you mentioned when we spoke, I’m aware you have activities happening down South in honor of Peace Day, but feel it is important to inform you of our event regardless.

We would be absolutely delighted to have a representative/s from RfP speak at our event – I believe it will be the first of it’s kind in Launceston and we would like to hold it annually.

Either way, I look forward to any feedback, wish you well with your upcoming activities, maintaining our connections and seeing you in the near future.

Many thanks, yours in Interfaith
Shari Landeg (facilitator)Ph: 0431 909 172
Launceston Interfaith Friendship Circle
Interfaith Tasmania
http://interfaithtasmania.blogspot.com

Soul Food

Soul Food Session at the Baha’i Centre

Soul Food – Sunday September 7th, at 3pm.

This month’s program “Peace – Planet, Dreams,” is dedicated to International Day of Peace and will explore the importance of World Peace which is necessary but unattainable until we obtain complete unity of thought.

The music for this program will be delightful and inspiring with the Bryan family musical group.

So come and share this unique event, invite family and friends and contemplate the great promise for mankind given to us to enhance our understanding of God’s promise and continuous Divine Guidance.

Soul Food is a unique, monthly, community event featuring live music, audio-visual pieces and readings from faiths and philosophers, authors, leaders and indigenous cultures from all around the world specially chosen to inspire us to work towards understanding and unity of nations, commencing in our homes, our Communities, States and Countries.

Hosted in the tranquil ambience of the Bahá’í Centre of Learning, (Behind A.B.C. building) 1 Tasman Highway, providing an opportunity to be inspired, uplifted and to celebrate our humanity and oneness in a spirit of friendship and unity.

This pleasant meditative afternoon is a free Community inspired event.

When: Sunday July 6th, 3pm. Great refreshments served. For more information please phone 6234 7654
Website: http://www.soulfood.com.au/tas/

Crisis in Religious Freedom

Three-quarters of World’s Population Affected

“Religious freedom is human freedom,” stated U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, last Monday when he presented the International Religious Freedom Report for 2013.

We have a long journey ahead to achieve this freedom, he added, given that 75% of the world’s population lives in countries that do not respect it.

Kerry emphasized that with the report the United States is “not arrogantly telling people what to believe.”

“We’re asking for the universal value of tolerance, of the ability of people to have a respect for their own individuality and their own choices,” he explained.

The report stated that in 2013 the world experienced “the largest displacement of religious communities in recent memory.”

These events affected millions of people, including Christians, Muslims and Hindus, along with other religions.

Syria rated a special mention, where the report said, “the Christian presence is becoming a shadow of its former self.”

In the city of Homs, for example, the Christian commu
nity has gone from approximately 160,000 to barely 1,000.

Then, in the Central African Republic, civil strife and conflict between Christians and Muslims has caused at least 700 deaths and the displacement of more than a million people.

The threats to religious freedom took a number of forms, ranging from the criminalization of religious expression, prohibitions on conversions, blasphemy laws, and onerous registration laws for religious organizations.

You can read more of Father John Flynn’s article on Zenit.org

Coda

This month’s Coda is an example of the work of our guest speaker,
Marianne (Maz) Gill-Harper, an artist and evangelist:

The Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed
that a man planted in his field.
Although it is the smallest of seed,
it becomes the largest of garden plants,
a tree in which the birds of the air may perch.

In peace,
Terry
Convenor RfP Tasmannia Branch
6272 6521

Religions for Peace Tasmania