Buddhist Meditation and the future of contemplation

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Buddhist schistThe Australian Association of Buddhist studies presents a lecture series on Meditation and the future of contemplation. Professor David Germano from the University of Virginia is the holder of the 2024 University Buddhist Education Foundation (UBEF) Visiting Professorship in Buddhist Studies. As part of this Professorship, there will be a lecture series in the John Woolley Rogers Room (N397) of the John Woolley Building (A20) at the University of Sydney on 17, 22, 24 and 29 October. These lectures will be hybrid sessions.
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Spiritual awakening after COVID

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AlphaThe Combined Churches of Greater Shepparton offer an evening session exploring deeper spiritual questions and seeking meaningful answers at the Salvation Army, each Wednesday evening at 6pm. A free dinner is given at the session. You are cordially invited to a combined Christian churches “Alpha” group each Wednesday evening.
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Cultivating Taqwā: Moral Integrity and Respect for Human Dignity

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Dr Adis DuderijaAsma Lamrabet is a Moroccan female liberation theologian whose exploration of the concept of Taqwā in the context of the Qur’anic vision of equality offers profound insights into the nature of humanity’s spiritual journey. She posits that the Qur’an presents an unequivocal stance on the equality of all human beings before the Creator, transcending factors such as race, ethnicity, skin colour, and gender. Dr Adis Duderija gives an account of the work of Asma Lamrabet of Morocco.

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A year of devastation: with hope and trust shattered, what can bring an end to the violence in Israel-Palestine?

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Violence in Gaza, Lebanon and IsraelShould the tit-for-tat cycle of violence continue, the blow-back will hurt not only Israel’s efforts to attain safety and security for its citizens, but the prospects for a political future for the Palestinians. A year has passed, what will bring peace to this region? Here, Eyal Mayroz, Senior Lecturer in Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Sydney writes this Op-Ed.

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Cultivating a Culture of Peace: World Day of Peace 2024

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Cultivating a Culture of Peace: World Day of Peace 2024The International Day of Peace, also officially known as World Peace Day, is a United Nations observance every year on 21 September. The theme for World Peace Day 2024 is Cultivating a Culture of Peace. The faith communities of Shepparton – and the Shepparton Interfaith Network – actively seek peace and harmony in our nation, Australia, and in the World.

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Pope Francis’ Singapore Mass fuels hopes for future papal visits to China, Vietnam, Malaysia

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Pope Francis in Singapore
Catholics from China, Vietnam and Malaysia who attended Pope Francis’ September 12 Mass in Singapore are hoping the pontiff might also become the first pope to visit their respectives countries, as well.
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World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel 2024

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World Council of Churches LogoThe World Council of Churches (WCC) invites people and churches all over the world to pray, advocate, and stand in solidarity with people in the Holy Land during the World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel. The week includes the UN International Day of Peace on 21 September.
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Who is the ‘Laughing Buddha’? A scholar of East Asian Buddhism explains

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Porcelain ‘Laughing Buddha’ image, China, 17th-18th century.
Metropolitan Museum of Art


With his delighted expression, round belly, bald head and monastic robes, the “Laughing Buddha” is instantly identifiable. However, astute observers might wonder why this buddha does not look like the historical Buddha, who lived in India about 2,500 years ago.

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Nearly half of world’s migrants are Christian, Pew Research shows

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Nearly half of world's migrants are Christian, Pew Research shows
While Christians make up about 30% of the world’s population, the world’s migrants are 47% Christian, according to the latest data collected in 2020. The study found that Muslims make up 29% of the migrant population but 25% of the world’s population. Jews, only 0.2% of the world’s population but 1% of migrants, are by far the most likely religious group to have migrated, with 20% of Jews worldwide living outside their country of birth compared to just 6% of Christians and 4% of Muslims. Four percent of migrants are Buddhist, matching the general population, and 5% are Hindu, compared to 15% of the world population.

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Positive Peace: Religions and Peace

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Positive Peace: Religions and PeaceMeet Positive Peace, the post-COVID recovery framework. Created by the non-partisan and internationally renowned think-tank the Institute for Economics & Peace, this free short course introduces the transformational framework — Positive Peace. Rethink peace with the Institute’s data driven approach and discover how Positive Peace is associated with better performance on ecological sustainability, improved wellbeing, stronger GDP growth rates and better business outcomes.
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Family violence conference

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Ten Commitments to Prevent Violence - Australian Anglican Program Ten Commitments to Prevent Violence – Australian Anglican Program hill hold a conference on September 2-3, for everyone who wants to learn more about what churches can do to prevent violence against women, what initiatives are working for churches and how we can best care for those impacted by domestic violence.
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Kamala, a common name in India, is associated with several deities and is a symbol of wisdom

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Relief of the Hindu goddess Lakshmi from a temple in India.
Godong/Universal Images Group via Getty Images


Ever since Vice President Kamala Harris became a presence on the national scene, her name – a common one for women in India – has attracted a lot of attention, most specifically for its pronunciation. Kamala as a word in Hinduism has significant associations with divinity, response to divinity and worship. One form of surrender to divinity is charana kamala.

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An anthem for peace and justice from Israeli and Palestinian youth

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A Different Way - Jerusalem Youth Chorus

 

A Different Way – The Jerusalem Youth Chorus: Palestinian and Israeli young singers from the Jerusalem Youth Chorus teamed up with GRAMMY- and Emmy-winning artists to write a powerful anthem of non-violence in times of war, and a call to action to choose a shared future over destruction.
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