Xena Jontilano
February 16, 2024

In order to build peace and harmony between all people regardless of their faith, the World Interfaith Harmony Week became an annual event observed during every first week of February, since the General Assembly designation in 2010.

In celebration of this 2024 World Interfaith Harmony Week and the welcoming of the Year of the Wooden Dragon, Fo Guang Shan Mabuhay Temple hosted the event with the theme, “Celebrating the Spirit of Solidarity and Peace”, and Honoring the Memory of Venerable Master Hsing Yun on the 10th of February, Saturday, 2:00 PM.

The event was attended by 12 religious leaders coming from their respective religious institutions accompanied by other representatives. photo／FGS Mabuhay Temple

The event was attended by 11 religious leaders coming from their respective religious institutions accompanied by other representatives. The 11 religious leaders are namely: Bong Baybado, Secretary General of Religions for Peace; Alavaro O. Senturias Jr. of United Church of Christ in the Philippines; Carmen Alviar of Institute of Spirituality in Asia; Sr. Monica Navarro of Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Hearts; Dr. Shakuntala Vaswani of PeaceMakers Circle Foundation; Selim Sirinoglu, President of the Pacific Dialogue Foundation; Rev. Erah Maga-Cabillas of Iglesia Filipina Independiente; Yogita Sharma, a Brahman; Father Carlos Reyes of Minister of Interfaith and Ecumenical Affairs, Archdiocese of Manila; Haidi Fajardo, Director of Communication Bureau The Church of Christ of Latter-Day Saints; and, Father Cesar de Silva of Xaverian Missionaries. There were a total of 115 participants in this year’s interfaith gathering.

There were a total of 115 participants in this year’s interfaith gathering. photo／FGS Mabuhay Temple

The choir of Buddha’s Light International Association Philippines Chapter led by President Kathy Uy Lim chanted the “Ode to the Triple Gem” and “Ten Daily Practices” to pray for world peace and love. photo／FGS Mabuhay Temple

Venerable Yung Guang, Head Abbess of Fo Guang Shan Philippines, opened the event with a heartwarming welcome to all the participants. She expressed how Venerable Master Hsing Yun has always gone beyond religion, culture and race in promoting harmony, connecting everyone heart to heart. She also recounted that even while the Venerable Master lived most of his life in Taiwan, he was a close friend to the late Cardinal Shan from Taiwan.

Venerable Yung Guang, Head Abbess of Fo Guang Shan Philippines, opened the event with a heartwarming welcome to all the participants. She expressed how Venerable Master Hsing Yun has always gone beyond religion, culture and race in promoting harmony, connecting everyone heart to heart. photo／FGS Mabuhay Temple

Venerable Yung Guang shared how Fo Guang Shan in Taiwan introduces interfaith through merging of cultures during celebrations every 25th of December which showcases the Santo Nino in Sinulog Dance performances. Catholic nuns would also get invited at the temple to sing songs of their praise. Through this, the local people of Taiwan showed curiosity in understanding different religious customs especially when visiting The Philippines.

When the Venerable Master appointed Venerable Yung Guang in The Philippines, she had always wondered why he was sending her to a Catholic dominant nation. Venerable Master Hsing Yun expressed that he wanted to help The Philippines through education and the arts knowing that most of its people are artistically gifted. When Guang Ming College was established in the country, the scholars of the school were introduced to Buddhism and they would share how it helped them to become better Christians.

As FGS Mabuhay Temple continued to open its doors to the interfaith community, more and more religious leaders and institutions would visit the temple and partake in its activities. Venerable Yung Guang shared how blissful she is in seeing how her friends who are Catholic priests and nuns would enjoy learning about Humanistic Buddhism and trying vegetarian cuisines offered at the temple. She expressed her gratitude in the friendships that she was able to build in the interfaith community over the years as she has also served as a volunteer in many organizations such as the YMCA which is a Christian organization. She hopes that as we celebrate this new year, we will also continue to hold hands and pray together that we may continue to serve the people.

Each religious leader offered their prayers before the program ended followed by a tour at Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s Art Gallery and Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery.

“...We gathered to celebrate our diversity. May our hearts and minds be open to our similarities as brothers and sisters.” – Professor Bong Baybado, University of Santo Thomas. photo／FGS Mabuhay Temple

“...We gathered to celebrate our diversity. May our hearts and minds be open to our similarities as brothers and sisters.” – Bong Baybado

“...We thank God that we are gathered today to celebrate CNY. May this day bring blessings to all people of the world. We thank FGS for the work that they do and we are happy to be a part of this event and as their friend.” – Alavaro O. Senturias Jr.

“...Be in our hearts and minds as we gather today. Let us be the good we want to see in others.” – Carmen Alviar

“...Lord, as we celebrate this interfaith, we pray for our brothers and sisters in this joyous festivity. Diversity in faith is not a hindrance in promoting peace and solidarity.” – Sr. Monica Navarro

“...We stand in front of you here, we are together praying for the same goal. We learn from one another and from each other's differences.” – Selim Sirinoglu

“...Lead us from ignorance to knowledge. From darkness to light. Bring peace to the soul of Venerable Master Hsing Yun. On this auspicious new year, may there be peace to all, may there be peace outside us, inside us, and may it prevail in the entire universe.” – Dr. Shakuntala Vaswani

“...When there is peace within us, we can share it with others. Just like the Dragon, may it give us courage.” – Yogita Sharma

“...First time here, I felt the most warm welcome. Thank you for the gift of friendship, of sisterhip, brothership and fellowship. Thank you for this blessing of life and being able to celebrate each other. We are one family and one humanity.” – Rev. Erah Maga-Cabillas

“...We are grateful to be gathered together in this beautiful temple. We may have differences, we seek to be one. This is a troubled world, we pray for those who are suffering.” – Father Carlos Reyes
“...To be loved as to love.” – Father Cesar de Silva