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Dharamshala: A group of Chinese Buddhists and devout followers of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from mainland China sought His Holiness’ spiritual advice on ways to contain the spread of Coronavirus, a recently discovered airborne disease which has gripped national attention as well as globally after it spread rapidly across China and to other parts of the world.
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Words have an impact on human consciousness, something scientists have long studied, and many researchers and health services are committed to. Articulation and eloquence have long defined culture. And ‘having a way with words’ is a way of either praising special capacity – or bemoaning ‘spin’. Words, and how they are used, is a large part of what many bemoan as ‘fake news’. So, we know that words matter. Now that we move into virtual communication for everything from trade to learning, from industry to worship, words will matter more than ever, writes Prof. Azza Karam is Secretary General, Religions for Peace International.
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Easter is approaching, but Christians won’t be able to assemble in any traditional place of worship. In the Catholic tradition, all masses have been suspended by order of the archdiocese. Funerals are one of the few services that the governments are allowing, but they must have no more than 10 people.
Do the measures of social distancing being imposed by governments all over the world in response to the COVID-19 pandemic mean the end of conventional religious practice? If mortality were to increase to the situation we see in Italy and Spain, it will not be possible to remember the dead by any but the most cursory means.
“I feel like the world has just gotten a little smaller and my heart has gotten a little larger.” As the COVID-19 pandemic sweeps the globe, I keep remembering that comment from Luciana, an educator and small business owner in Brazil, during the first online meeting of our small, mindfulness-teacher mentoring group.
One of the great gifts of my teaching life over the last few years has been my role as the director of mentoring for an online, international mindfulness teacher certification program led by Buddhist teachers Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach. As a mentor, I meet face-to-face via Zoom in monthly, 6-person groups with students from Singapore, China, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Brazil, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and both coasts of the United States.
My dear brothers and sisters,
I am writing these words in response to repeated requests from many people around the world. Today, we are passing through an exceptionally difficult time due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.
Here, we bring you up to date with prayer and devotion in Shepparton’s places of worship for the current time of Covid 19 with Stage 2 restrictions. Christian, Buddhist, Muslim and Sikh communities are referenced.
Update: There are a number of new links added for Christian worship in languages other than English.
The health of the Council’s employees, volunteers and the Greater Shepparton community is the Shepparton Council’s top priority. Council’s response to the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) is being guided by the latest advice from Commonwealth and State authorities.
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All over the world, places of gathering for the faithful for prayer, devotion, offering and morning puja – are silent and the faithful are urged to stay away during this time of coronavirus. Here, we bring a collection of photographs from Reuters “Photo of the Day” of different places of worship in many different nations. They are empty spaces amid coronavirus.
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Joined by Orthodox, Anglican and Protestant leaders and faithful from around the world, Pope Francis led the recitation of the Lord’s Prayer, imploring God’s mercy on humanity amid the coronavirus pandemic.
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The Fo Guang Shan temple in Perth shut down in February, more than a month before the Australian government announced social distancing measures. Nuns there have been using social media and chat groups to lift the spirits of the community ever since.
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The three elements needed for praying well … Pope Francis told them to faithful worldwide to welcome his invitation, during his private daily Mass at his residence Casa Santa Marta, again offered for the victims and those affected by the Coronavirus, praying especially today for those struggling financially at this time. The Pope’s Mass can be watched at any time on the Vatican Youtube Channel.
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Ours is a world of hope, care and wonder. Here, we bring prayers, reflections and poems from around the world in this time of pandemic, lockdown and for some, worry. These reflections – prayers, really, come from around your world.
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Reflecting on our shared humanity: Covid-19, like the refugee crisis, is a global problem. It requires a global solution. No one chose to create it. No one chose to be infected by it. But we all have a choice in how we respond.
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Due to coronavirus concerns a number of local churches have made special arrangement for their services. Some will hold funerals outdoors, and memorial services later. Others, funerals for family only; memorial services. Some Churches will have more services where there would be over a hundred at a time. Social spacing in all worship places.
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Several Hindu Temples in India are offering daily live darshan and avoid travelling during coronavirus and have darshan from home. Majority of the temples have live webcasting during the arati period and important puja periods. Here is a list of temples and links to the live darshan. Notices are also given for darshan with Mother Meera in Germany, and a notice from the Mata Amritanandamayi Math is also given.
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Resting is a very important practice, says Thich Nhat Hanh. Our physical body needs rest to restore itself, and our consciousness is no different!
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Dr Robert Svoboda, well-known speaker and author, Ayurvedic practitioner and guide to Hinduism, writes about the Mind and keeping calm in this time of “catching” emotions and thoughts from others. In this climate of uncertainty however many people are freaking out, and acting in ways that will ultimately benefit neither them nor their loved ones, in particular buying up everything they can.
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The Australian Religious Response to Climate Change issues a Call to Prayer:
Let us pray that governments make wise decisions to protect their populations both from the disease itself and the economic impact on vulnerable workers. From this crisis, may humanity grow in wisdom such that we work together more effectively for a fairer, more sustainable world, one in which all people can flourish. Amen.
Along these lines, Avaaz has a great People’s Pledge that’s worth signing and sharing around.
The University of Melbourne, Department of Rural Health regrets that they have made the decision to postpone their forthcoming Public Lecture by Mr Warren Davies ‘The Unbreakable Farmer’ at The University of Melbourne, Department of Rural Health due to the evolving situation with COVID-19. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to rescheduling at a later date.
Life has never been that easy. In Buddhist practice, you learn never to shy away from facing the pain of the human condition. At the same time, you also learn not to shy away from the beauty and value of life in all its forms.
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