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Interfaith
Dialogues
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The
Sixth International Conference of the
Society of Buddhist-Christian Studies
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The Society of
Buddhist-Christian Studies (SBCS) held its sixth International
Conference from August 5-12 in Tacoma, Washington. The
conference, with some 170 participants from Asia, Europe and
the U.S., was held under the theme: "Buddhism,
Christianity and Global Healing." According to Paul
Ingram, a professor of religion at Pacific Lutheran
University, which hosted the conference, the participants' aim
was to raise awareness of common issues and concerns.
"The goal of dialogue is never evangelism, never
conversion," he said. "It's openness to the truth of
your partner and sharing your truth in the process."
SGI-USA began
participating in the SBCS conference in 1992. The SGI
representatives who attended this year's event were SGI-USA
Executive Adviser Fred Zaitsu, Boston Research Center Director
Virginia Straus, and SGI-USA vice general directors Al
Albergate and Bill Aiken. Mr. Zaitsu read an excerpt from SGI
President Ikeda's greetings to the conference. Ms. Straus gave
"A Buddhist Response to the Earth Charter," which
described Mr. Ikeda's vision for this "people's
treaty" and the contributions it has inspired among SGI
members. In addition, SGI-USA members in Seattle organized an
optional tour of St. Andrews Cathedral, a Tibetan Buddhist
center and the SGI-USA Seattle Culture Center. Many people
taking the tour were moved by the warmth and hospitality of
the local SGI members.
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