Amritavarsham50 Interfaith Summit Programme Schedule
Religions Embracing for Peace & Harmony
On 24 September 2003, Amritavarsham50 held its Interfaith Summit. Bringing together spiritual and religious leaders from around the world to discuss the roles and responsibilities of organised religion in modern society.
Part I — Promoting Universal Values
H. H. Madhvacharya Swami Vishvesha Tirtha
Ruling Pontiff of Pejavar Math, Udupi, Karnataka, India
Topic: “Amma’s Seva”
The living example of Amma’s extraordinary sacrifice that epitomizes compassion and Universal Motherhood in action.
Rev. Takeda Hakusai
Representative and Senior Disciple
of Sakai Yuusai Dai-Ajari (Grand Master)
Hieizan Enryakuji, Kyoto, Japan
Topic: “Role & Responsibilities of Spiritual & Religious Organizations in Today’s World”
The important responsibility of all religious organizations to encourage and promote freedom of religious expression and to find a way to end the untold suffering that results from religious discord through basic respect for human rights.
H.H. Shankaracharya Swami Raghaveshwara Bharati
Mahaswami of Sri Ramachandrapura Math at Hosanagar, Karnataka, India
Topic: “Amma as a Divine Personality”
Concept of the divine personality as one free of inner impurities of egoism and the value of inner purification for bringing about world peace.
Part II — Freedom of Expression & Respect for Essential Human Rights
His Grace Cyril Mar Baselios
Archbishop of Trivandrum,
President of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India
Topic: “In the light of Christian religious principles, religion as a means, not a hindrance, to social and political peace, and mutual tolerance”
Articulation of how Christian religious doctrine emphasizes universal human values of love and compassion and acceptance of other faiths.
Rabbi Leah Novick
Pathfinder of the Jewish Renewal Movement, USA
Topic: “In the light of Jewish religious principles, religion as a means, not a hindrance, to social and political peace and mutual tolerance”
Articulation of how Jewish doctrine emphasizes universal human values of love and compassion and acceptance of other faiths.
Sadhvi Samani Jyotipragya
Disciple of His Holiness Acharya Shri Mahapragyaji
Jain Anuvrat Movement, Rajasthan, India
Topic: “Non-violence as a Way of Life.”
Explores Jainism’s foundation of non-violence in the eternal values of love and compassion, and non-violence as the foundation for real dialogue and sharing.
Part III — Reflection, Dialogue, Service
Rev. Dr. Ipe Joseph
General Secretary of the National Council of Churches in India
Topic: “Integration Through Compassionate Service”
The foundations of compassionate care for the needy in Christianity and how the Church’s efforts in compassionate care has helped religious integration in India.
H.H. Swami Gautamananda Maharaj
President of Ramakrishna Math in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Topic: “Enhancing the Moral Values of Society”
The eternal values embodied in the Vedas and the Upanishads and ways to have these values become more manifest in today’s world.
Dr. Saleha Mahmood Abedin
Sociologist, Muslim Scholar
Director of Institute for Muslim Minority Affairs, London, UK
Topic: “In the light of Islamic religious principles, religion as a means to social, not a hindrance, to political peace and mutual tolerance.”
Articulation of how Islamic religious doctrine emphasizes universal human values of love and compassion and acceptance of other faiths.
Shri. P. Parameshwaran
Director, Bharatiya Vichara Kendra, Kerala, India
Topic: “In the light of Hindu religious principles, religion as a means, not a hindrance, to social and political peace and mutual tolerance.”
Articulation of how Hindu religions doctrine emphasizes universal human values of love and compassion and acceptance of other faiths.
Part IV — Conclusion
Amma’s Message
& Announcement of Interfaith Summit Resolutions and Action Items
Read by Swami Ramakrishnanada Puri
Treasurer, Mata Amritanandamayi Math
Shri. Bawa Jain
General Secretary of the World Council of Religious Leaders
Endorsement of Announcement Summit Resolutions and Action Items