The Pan Asian School of Dialogue with Oriental Religions (SOR), held from March 2-5, 2017 in Mariapolis Peace, Tagayty, was a fitting conclusion for the 50th Anniversary of the arrival of the Focolare Movement in Asia. More than 200 participants came from different parts of the world, and particularly from Asian countries.
First Day, March 2
Roberto Signor and Lolita Castillo, co-directors of SOR, welcomed the participants, wishing them 4 days of light and life! Nar Plaras and Rev. Fr. Chun Boc tay, co-directors of Mariapolis Peace, then explained the choice of Mariapolis Peace, the event’s venue which Focolare foundress Chiara Lubich on her first visit to Asia in 1981- 82, already envisioned as a place of witness to dialogue, and of encounter among different cultures and religions in Asia.
Afterwards a moving inter-religious prayer represented and performed by a Hindu, a Moslem, a Buddhist monk and a Christian, culminated in the singing of the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi : Make Me a Channel of Your Peace.
The Inter-religious Prayer was followed by greetings and messages from the Focolare Center in Rome, read by its representatives Francisco Canzani, Renata Simon, Roberto Catalano and Rita Massoulem.
Cardinal luis Antonio tagle’s came to highlight the first day, expounding on the very theme of the 4-day conference, Harmony among Peoples and Religions Today. With Vatican II documents as his starting point, Tagle urged everyone to read Vatican II documents especially Lumen Gentium which calls for the search for what is common among world religions, and also another special document Nostra Aetate, on dialogue with the other religions.
Referring to an asian theologian Edmund Chia whose essay has been published in a book called Harvesting from Asian Soils, Tagle then enumerated four components of harmony.
First, is the openness to change. To be agents of Harmony one has to be agile, at home with changes.
Second is acknowledging diversity.
Third, when one is faced with anti-thesis, choose the weaker, the underdog or the shameful, for the weak will overcome the strong.
Fourth, one has to relax, as all things come in their own way. There is a time for everything. This doesn’t mean not doing anything. According to the water logic, those who are working quietly, and in a hidden manner, will effect change. Water can move gigantic mountains – a truth can best be expressed by the Law of Graduality, and by being process-oriented, not only by expecting, but also in active non-violence.
Afterwards, Tagle then offered four recommendations.
First, personal change of mind or metanoia which is change in our perception and understanding of others, which will lead us to understanding ourselves.
Second, we cannot separate religions or religious experience from social reality.
Third, to maximize the non- verbal method of pedagogy-like friendship.
Fourth and lastly, not to give up on working for harmony in a time of spreading fundamentalist tendencies, or in times of fear, rigidity, narrow-mindedness, indifference, and disregard for humanity.
In the afternoon Bishop Roberto Mallari, The Dean of SOR, formally welcomed everyone and explained the Filipino greeting Mabuhay – which means to live life greatly, to live in harmony and to live in that sacred place – that point of convergence and to write convergent lines.
Bishop Mallari’s welcome remarks were followed by a video clip on the dialogue of the Focolare Movement in India entitled weaving threads of unity. Retracing Chiara Lubich’s visit to India in 2001, it showed Chiara’s attitude towards our Hindu brothers and sisters, which consists in an attitude of listening.
Subsequently, a beautiful artistic number, a piece of Indian classical music and another devotional song sung by Miss Mitali of Anam Prem, engaged the participants in a unique and memorable moment of Hindu culture.
Later, some beautiful impressions came from our Hindu friends: Dr. Meenal Katarnkar of Anam Prem, Dr. Lalita Namjoshi of KJ Somaiya, and G. Vijayaragavan of Shanti Ashram.
Second day, March 3
The second day was dedicated to the presentation of the Focolare’s dialogue with Buddhism and taoism. First
Was an exchange of experiences on dialogue with our Buddhist friends and a panel of experts on Buddhism. This was followed by a thai violin performance, and ended with a book presentation about dialogue of Silvio Daneo’s, Paths Beyond Imagining, from New City Press Philippines.
Fr. Raph Ling from Taiwan subsequently expounded on Taoism and Christianity.
Dr. Chiaretto Yan, a Chinese focolarino, presented briefly the Chinese point of view and culture. His book, Sharing the Joy of the Gospel in China, translated into and published in four different languages was also launched.
Fr. Emmanuel Mijares presented a Japanese Buddhist philosopher Kitaro Nishida and his theory of pure experience.
Third day, March 4
FABC Executive Secretary Fr. William Larouse, MM, presented the position of the Federation Asian Bishop’s Conference (FABC) on dialogue in Asia today. This was followed by a morning meditation drawn from Chiara Lubich’s various meetings with Muslims.
In one of those video-clips, Lubich said, “for those who know how to love, dialogue is possible, but for those who don’t know how to love, dialogue becomes impossible… “
A prayer ritual presentation came next – Pangalay (also known as daling-daling or Mengalai in Sabah). Pangalay is the traditional “fingernail” dance of the Tausug people from the Sulu Archipelago and Sabah, which dance was performed by a Muslim family, Dr. Jul Kipli, and his wife Joi Wadi and their children.
In the afternoon, Dr. Cresencia Gabijan presented her book, Dialogue, light and fire. In it, Gabijan “insightfully captured the life and vision of Chiara lubich in her book, integrating Lubich’s unique spirituality with her passion for unity through dialogue.”
Fourth day- March 5
The Pan Asian SOR concluded with a Eucharistic Celebration, and an interview with some participants from India,Thailand, Korea, Italy and the Philippines.
The harmony of cultures, and among peoples, expressed through dance and music, helped everyone dream of what was possible and work for it.
More than two hundred participants signed a document as a pledge of their commitment to the ideals of SOR. Here is the text of the document:
Premise
- It is with gratitude that we—the 235 participants of sor 2017—have come together from 24 countries, for a common journey to celebrate and rediscover our cultural and religious diversity, as well as our common destiny as one human family, thus building stronger bridges of friendship, mutual understanding, and sincere dialogue from the horizon of Asian harmony.
- There are many conflicts and disruptions of cultural, religious, and ecological harmony in our society today due to greed, fear, indifference, and violence, extremism, marginalization, and lack of solidarity. It is against this backdrop that we have listened to one another, taking every opportunity to get out of our comfort zones, in the spirit of the Golden Rule, in order to create an environment of good will and to initiate a process of transformation that starts with us, with each small step taken toward peace, reconciliation, solidarity, and encounter, inclusion, generosity, and trust.
Universe of Harmony in Constellations of Peoples and Religions
- We recognize that our world is increasingly fragmented and divisive. Our common reflection and profound moments of sharing have made us understand that harmony is an essential part of our cultures and religious traditions in Asia. Also, we have been enriched by exploring the different experiences of dialogue and reflections from various countries. We have been given the rare opportunity to enter the universe of harmony in spite of the diverse constellations of our cultures, traditions, food, customs, beliefs, and languages.
Commitment to Action
- Thus we commit ourselves to a greater harmony among us all, peoples of Asia, through our efforts:
- To cherish the rich diversity among us as a pathway to peace and tolerance;
- To welcome and respect the others because of our shared humanity, hoping for an inclusive model of development and economy that liberates and uplifts the least, the last and the lost in our communities; and a development that protects and cares for our environment;
- To be agents of a culture of dialogue and unity by involving government and religious leaders, as well as the youth in shaping a more just, humane, and peaceful world;
- To create living spaces of dialogue in the midst of indifference and apathy, and also to welcome oases of fraternity in the desert of hopelessness through a respectful encounter with the “other” who is different, and through concrete gestures of solidarity and life- nourishing relationships beginning with our sphere of influence;
- To make our collective voice heard in public spaces — often saturated by more powerful voices of ideologies — through critical, creative and collaborative initiatives that impact on the process of change in our global, yet local, communities.
- We are passionate about our hope and vision, and are thus calling on all our brothers and sisters in Asia to journey with us toward a new humanity.
