Greater Shepparton Women’s Charter Alliance Advisory Committee in collaboration with Shepparton Library, will host a view and chat event focussed on Gender Rights and Related Issues at the Shepparton Library on the Evening of Friday, 29 November.
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For a modern Buddhist practitioner, the developed story and figure of the Buddha is a bit like a venerated piece of antique furniture, with a fine patina on it from centuries of handling by previous generations. We are also adding our own fingerprints to it. But trying to dig back to the “bare facts” of the Buddha’s life can be like stripping the patina off a fine antique—something many people would be wary of doing, since it might be disrespectful to the original. However, perhaps it is necessary, as the “antique” Buddha needs restoring, and doing so may reveal the various decorations that have been added over the centuries.
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The Australian society has changed significantly since cemeteries in Victoria were planned and designed 150 years ago. But there haven’t been any major redevelopment or review of the community’s changing requirements for what happens to our bodies when we die. Here, the migrant community’s preference for cremation is having an effect.
Whether it’s for the sake of animal welfare, reducing your carbon footprint or health reasons, becoming vegetarian is an admirable decision. However, if you’re just starting out, it’s important to keep a few things in mind. (We are not advocating a vegetarian diet for any spiritual nor religious reason; it simply makes sense to be vegetarian you can reduce your carbon footprint considerably if you do this…)
At 11am on 11 November 1918 the guns of the Western Front fell silent after more than four years of continuous warfare. This is commemorated every year in Australia with Remembrance Day events at cenotaphs in every village, town and city. Remembrance Day is a significant memorial in the life of Australia as a nation. The photo on the right is The Australian National Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, France.
The Jewish people have tikkun olam, repair of our broken world. Tikkun olam is a Jewish concept defined by acts of kindness performed to perfect or repair the world. The phrase is found in the Mishnah, a body of classical rabbinic teachings.
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The goal of Shin Buddhism’s central practice, nembutsu, is not to attain buddhahood for ourselves, but to express gratitude for all we have received.
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A new publication, The Sustainability Book offers online texts and resources about the Sustainable Development Goals for use by congregations, gatherings, and individuals.
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Monash University are looking for volunteers to help implement a world-leading study that seeks to reduce social exclusion. This is an opportunity to visit households and engage in conversation.
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The University of Melbourne, Department of Rural Health invite you to attend a Public Lecture Mr Warren Davies ‘The Unbreakable Farmer’ at The Learning & Teaching Centre, The University of Melbourne, Department of Rural Health & Northeast Health, Dixon St, Wangaratta VIC 3677 at 5:30 – 6:30pm on Tuesday 19th November, 2019. *This is a community event and there will be no charge to those who attend.
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Several years ago, our synagogue orchestrated a “Blessing of the Animals” event that coincided with this week’s Torah portion, Parashat Noach. The result was a sacred moment, not only for members, but also for the animals we care for and love.
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‘Welcoming Each Other: Guidelines for Interfaith Education in the Schools of the Archdiocese of Melbourne’ is a document of the Ecumenical and Interfaith Commission of the Archdiocese of Melbourne which has the full support of Catholic Education Melbourne. It is a companion document to ‘Promoting interfaith relations’ and has been prepared with thorough consultation. These guidelines contain excellent reflections and considerations for those seeking to incorporate multifaith education in lessons.
Halloween is an unofficial holiday celebrated each year on October 31, and Halloween 2021 occurs on Sunday, October 31. The tradition originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honour all saints. Soon, All Saints Day incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as All Hallows Eve, and later Halloween. Over time, Halloween evolved into a day of activities like trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, festive gatherings, donning costumes and eating treats.
Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs to mark different historical events, stories and myths. They all symbolise the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil, hope over despair. Diwali for 2019 will take place on the weekend of 26-27 October 2019.
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A coalition of peace-building organizations in Finland has launched a campaign to crowdsource an emoji that symbolizes forgiveness. The idea was created by the Evangelical Lutheran church of Finland, which is also one of the founding organisations of the #forgivemoji campaign.
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The 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, is being celebrated worldwide — and for the first time in Bendigo. A colourful parade with a decorated mobile Gurduara float complete with priest, hymn singing, and martial arts displays made its way through Bendigo, followed by hundreds of people from Melbourne to Mildura on Sunday.
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Latrobe University – Department of Humanities – will present a one-day symposium in Bendigo on 12 November 2019 which will discuss research and practice insights for socially sustainable regional migration and multiculturalism.
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St Georges Road Food Festival is an important event that helps bind those of different cultures and nations to come together in a common feast – the world on a plate. Join us at St Georges Road shopping precinct for the annual St Georges Road Food Festival which celebrates the diverse flavours and cultures that make Greater Shepparton. The Festival will take place at St Georges Road between 11AM and 4PM on Sunday 27 October.
The Torah considers old age a virtue and a blessing. Throughout the Torah, “old” (zakein) is synonymous with “wise”; the Torah commands us to respect all elderly, regardless of their scholarship and piety, because the many trials and experiences that each additional year of life brings yield a wisdom which the most accomplished young prodigy cannot equal. It describes Abraham as one who “grew old and came along in days” (Genesis 24:1)–his accumulated days, each replete with learning and achievement, meant that with each passing day his worth increased. Thus, a ripe old age is regarded as one of the greatest blessings to be bestowed upon man.