In the video linked below, you will
get to hear an incredible witness to thriving Catholic- Buddhist dialogue
between Bishop Wester of Salt Lake City and Reverend Hung Sure. They discuss how two of the world’s major
religions are able to find many commonalities in their teachings and/or
practices. I especially appreciated when
the two discussed that “we can be united and different at the same time.” I think it is important for religious people
today to realize that in discussing faith or religion with those whose opinions
might differ from yours, no one is pushing agendas on each other. It is okay to think differently than others,
so sometimes we just need to accept that reality rather than trying to push what
we believe are correct beliefs on others.
Wester and Heng Sure mention that it is this interfaith dialogue that simply
allows us to listen and open our posture to learn and support one another.
When the two reached discussion of ‘conversion’ I was interested to see what they would say, because often when people hear conversion they assume the conversation pertains to leaving one religion in order to belong to another; however, the two had a new and beautiful approach to the topic. Bishop Wester told personal accounts of his Buddhist brothers and sisters having what he calls a ‘conversion to new life’. This kind of conversion allows those of other religions to take aspects from that interfaith dialogue and become renewed in their own faith. Often times I think that people might be afraid to engage in interfaith dialogue because they think it will turn into a heated argument about which religion is correct and why, so it is certainly refreshing to hear that not every interfaith discussion has to be centered on the differences being irreconcilable or one religion being superior to another, and rather about which aspects that they can take from one another and adapt in order to better themselves in their own faith lives and traditions.
In Gaudium Et Spes, intercultural dialogue is mentioned with caution in that there is a fine balance required to preserve tradition, yet expand culture, and I think that Wester and Hung Sure do a good job of displaying how that is possible. Neither of them are compromising their values, beliefs, or traditions, yet they are able to listen to each other and expand their mind sets. For example, Bishop Wester speaks to the fact that understanding Buddhist mentality and engaging in that conversation has allowed him to think deeper, muse over certain concepts better, as well as exposed him to a very trusting and accepting environment. I feel as though watching this video gave me a positive attitude towards interfaith dialogue. I do not think I have ever heard such a testimony from two figureheads of their faith, and this truly goes to show that the spirit is working in us and through these dialogues. I believe, and I think Bishop Wester and Reverand Heng Sure feel the same way, that if this kind of conversation between faiths continues, the world will be better for it.
When the two reached discussion of ‘conversion’ I was interested to see what they would say, because often when people hear conversion they assume the conversation pertains to leaving one religion in order to belong to another; however, the two had a new and beautiful approach to the topic. Bishop Wester told personal accounts of his Buddhist brothers and sisters having what he calls a ‘conversion to new life’. This kind of conversion allows those of other religions to take aspects from that interfaith dialogue and become renewed in their own faith. Often times I think that people might be afraid to engage in interfaith dialogue because they think it will turn into a heated argument about which religion is correct and why, so it is certainly refreshing to hear that not every interfaith discussion has to be centered on the differences being irreconcilable or one religion being superior to another, and rather about which aspects that they can take from one another and adapt in order to better themselves in their own faith lives and traditions.
In Gaudium Et Spes, intercultural dialogue is mentioned with caution in that there is a fine balance required to preserve tradition, yet expand culture, and I think that Wester and Hung Sure do a good job of displaying how that is possible. Neither of them are compromising their values, beliefs, or traditions, yet they are able to listen to each other and expand their mind sets. For example, Bishop Wester speaks to the fact that understanding Buddhist mentality and engaging in that conversation has allowed him to think deeper, muse over certain concepts better, as well as exposed him to a very trusting and accepting environment. I feel as though watching this video gave me a positive attitude towards interfaith dialogue. I do not think I have ever heard such a testimony from two figureheads of their faith, and this truly goes to show that the spirit is working in us and through these dialogues. I believe, and I think Bishop Wester and Reverand Heng Sure feel the same way, that if this kind of conversation between faiths continues, the world will be better for it.
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