Address at the ceremony ending a study course concerning interfaith dialogue (2)
(continued)
b. Progress and influence of the World Religion Day:
Together with other Baha’i Communities of the world, the Community of the Baha’is of Vietnam also celebrated the World Religion Day since 1962. This is an occasion for the believers of various religions to gather every year, to listen to the speeches given by their representatives on the same subject proposed by the Organizing Committee.
Subjects addressed at the World Religion Day in Vietnam were:
- 1962: All religions are one
- 1963: Discovery of unity in religions
- 1964: Mankind must and are able to achieve religious unity
- 1965: The lives of the Prophets are Examples for annihilation of religious discrimination and prejudice
- 1966: Religion must be the cause for unity of mankind
- 1967: Religion is the Path for Salvation of Việt Nam and the world
- 1968: Only religion can bring justice to the world
- 1969: The Renewal of Religion
- 1970: The purpose of religion is to establish unity and harmony
- 1971: The mission of religion before current events
- 1972: Religion and the World Tommorrow
- 1973: Religion is the foundation of unity of mankind
- 1974: Religion is itself the civilization of mankind
- 1975: Is religion still necessary for human beings?
c. Appreciations of religious leaders and the intellectuals of the country:
Following are the appreciationts of various prominent people participing in the World Religion Day organized by the Baha’i Community:
His Highness Phan Khắc Sửu:
“I believe that only religion, only the moral spirit, can build a better society. I am happy to see that various religions now having the opportuniy to sit together in the spirit of solidarity. I wish that relgions will have better opportunity for soliarity to build the country, and therefore I warmly praise the Organizing Committee of the World Religion Day.”
Reverend Lê Quang Oanh:
“The Pope repetedly calls for religious solidarity and stating that all religion is light. Only darkness is against light. I wish that this World Religion Day will attain that goal of broad solidarity.”
Senator Hoang Thế Phiệt:
“I think that the Government should be aware of the important endeavor like this one. It should declare the World Religion Day a National Holiday in order that this event can be celebrated more solemnly; the speeches here should be propagated more widely for the people of North and South to see that we are making great efforts to build a truly beautiful society, where the spiritual values are fully respected. I promise to bring this voice to the Assembly meeting for the people to be more informed.”
Reverend Vũ Đức Khâm:
“I boldly wish that the World Religion Day of this year is the convenient day for all people to soar high to the Creator.”
Venerable Thích Quảng Độ:
“The endeavor to build unity and harmony can only be achieved marvelously if it is initiated cherishly sincere from the heart of each individual. With this thought and belief, I heartfully pray for the goal of the World Religion Day to be realized from the innermost part of our soul.”
Justice of the Supreme Court Trần Văn Liêm:
“I sincerely praise all the religious Representatives who sit together and try to make clear of the unique truth, creating a comfortable atmosphere for the unity of the Country and the World, at least on the spiritual aspect. Wishing that this endeavor will be maintained and supported by you all and by all the people of good will on the world.”
The Baha’i Community organizes the World Religion Day
Venerable Thích Minh Châu:
“Spiritual peace is the salvation of man from all dogmas, all political ideologies…as stated in the Diamond Sutra that I have expressed on January 15, 1966, also on the World Religion Day organized by the Baha’i Faith. I want to restate that verse:”Dear Bikkhus, what I teach ye is as telling example of a boat crossing the river, even true teachings have to be abandoned, not to say false teachings.” The meaning of Baha’i teachings is also in the spirit of detachment of the Diamond Sutra, because in an address in London, Master Abdul-Baha declared that a person can be a Baha’i although he had not heard of the Name of Bahah’u’llah:
"It makes no difference whether you have ever heard of Bahá'u'lláh or not," was the answer, "the man who lives the life according to the teachings of Bahá'u'lláh is already a Bahá'í. On the other hand a man may call himself a Bahá'í for fifty years and if he does not live the life he is not a Bahá'í.” (Abdu'l-Baha, Abdu'l-Baha in London, p. 106)
And when defining what is Baha’i, Abdul-Baha says:"To be a Bahá'í simply means to love all the world; to love humanity and try to serve it; to work for universal peace and universal brotherhood." (Dr. J.E. Esslemont, Baha'u'llah and the New Era, p. 71)
World peace is spiritual peace, spiritual peace is religious peace, because religion is the path of salvation.”
….
In 1965, the Baha’i Faith has called other religious communities in Vietnam to establish the Interfaith Association, craeting religious harmony from the Central level to reconcile the differnces among believers of various religions, realizing the Baha’i purpose of Unity and Harmony among all religions. The Interfaith Association of Vietnam composing leaders of religions, held its regular meetings on Sundays.
Nguyễn Đình Thỏa
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