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Students to participate in journey toward peace
Students of Pacific Buddhist Academy will share their various faith traditions and ways to break down barriers to peace in an interfaith service Thursday at the Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin temple in conclusion of the United Nations’ World Interfaith Harmony Week, which began Friday.
Prayers, chants, poetry and songs will be on the Thursday program from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the temple at 1727 Pali Highway. Students will take on different speaking roles in delivering a 44-verse poem, "In Which Language Does God Speak?" written by Saleem Ahmed, president of All Believers Network. Here are two excepts:
In verse one, a child asks:
"Mummy, In which language does God speak?
"Sanskrit, Swahili, Tajik?
"Hebrew, Arabic, or Greek?
"English, Mandarin, Yupik?"
The answer from his mother:
"Dear, His speech is spiritual;
"He talks to our heart and mind.
"He is omni-lingual
"And loves all of humankind."
An excerpt from verse 34 follows:
"Every faith has good teachings
"And guidance that’s inclusive;
"Let us follow these preachings
"And discuss what’s exclusive."
For more information on Thursday’s event, call Liane Viloria at 532-2649.
Another event for World Interfaith Harmony Week is a symposium today at the Honpa Hongwanji temple. Registration for the symposium, "Moving from Exclusion to Inclusion in My Faith," closed Thursday.