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Dialogue
Among Civilizations
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Soka Gakkai
Malaysia (SGM) organized two major activities in December, an
international conference promoting dialogue among
civilizations and a charity festival.
"Dialogue Among Civilizations: Interpretation and
Understanding" was held at the Wisma Kebudayaan Culture
Center from December 15--16. Chaired by Dr. Tan Chee Beng from
the Chinese University of Hong Kong and Dr. Soo Khin Wah from
the University of Malaya, the seminar brought together
Malaysian scholars as well as international experts and
academics to help foster dialogue among civilizations toward
an age of peace.
Prof. Li Zehou of City University of Hong Kong spoke about the
importance of distinguishing religious morals from social
morals in dealing with the challenges of modernization.
Religious morals, he said, pertain to judgments of "good
and evil" and are determined by religious, cultural,
geographical and ethnic differences. Social morals, on the
other hand, are universally accepted and pertain to judgments
of "right and wrong." Professor Li stressed that
facilitating the distinct development of these two kinds of
morality, while simultaneously exploring how each one can
complement and support the other, is important for the
development of a healthy society.
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The
SGM charity festival
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In late December,
SGM youth division members sponsored a charity festival in
Johor Bahru. The event, entitled "Unfolding the New Age
of Spiritual Discovery," raised approximately US $68,500
which will be donated to 22 charitable and educational
organizations. The spectacular show featured gymnastics,
choruses, bands, and modern and traditional dances combining
Indian, Chinese and Malaysian cultures. A total of 1,700 SGM
members collaborated with members of other cultural and
educational organizations to stage the show, which celebrated
Malaysia's ethnic, cultural and religious diversity.
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