Council Publishes Message For Buddhist Feast Of Vesakh (reject, Earth)

[Scott1]

VATICAN CITY, MAY 16, 2005 (VIS) - Made public today was the annual Message sent by the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue to Buddhists on the occasion of the feast of Vesakh 2005. The Message, written in English, is signed by Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald, president of the pontifical council. Vesakh is a moveable feast which marks important events in the life of Gautama Buddha.

Archbishop Fitzgerald points to this year's 40th anniversary of "Nostra Aetate," the Vatican Council II document on the relationship of the Church to other religions, which states that 'the Catholic Church rejects nothing of what is true and holy in these religions'. Accordingly, Buddhists and Catholics are able to meet together, in a spirit of openness, sincerity and mutual respect, engaging in many different forms of dialogue."

Where they live and work side by side, says the Message, "the resulting 'dialogue of life' allows them, while witnessing to their own beliefs, to deepen their understanding of one another, to foster goodwill and to promote a spirit of neighbourliness. In fact, a particular bond has developed between many Buddhist and Catholic monks and nuns."

Archbishop Fitzgerald underscores that "nowhere has the need for collaboration been felt more keenly than in the countries of South and Southeast Asia which were affected by the earthquake and the ensuing tsunami of December 26, 2004. ... The long-term requirements of reconstruction call, however, for a continuation of these inter-religious expressions of solidarity" as do "many other situations which require cooperation among people of good will."

"This year's feast of Vesakh," he concludes, "will find many families missing some of their members. I wish to assure them that their loved ones will not be forgotten but will be remembered in our prayers."

[Engyo]

Thanks, Scott!

I had seen this on another forum devoted almost exclusively to Buddhism......it is good to see it here too.

[Scott1]

Originally Posted by Engyo

Thanks, Scott!

I had seen this on another forum devoted almost exclusively to Buddhism......it is good to see it here too.

There are OTHER forums on the net? You jest!

Peace be with you my friend.

[Engyo]

Not only that, but larger and older then RF!!! Don't worry, Rex already knows. In fact I sent him there to talk with the Admin guy, Leo (from southeast Asia somewhere), when RF was just beginning.

[anders]

Originally Posted by SOGFPP

'the Catholic Church rejects nothing of what is true and holy in these religions'. Accordingly, Buddhists and Catholics are able to meet together, in a spirit of openness, sincerity and mutual respect, engaging in many different forms of dialogue.

I read this several times for the enjoyment.

Vesakh is a moveable feast which marks important events in the life of Gautama Buddha.

In the month Vesakh/Vaisakha/Vaiśākha/Baisakhi, there is not only the commemoration of the birth of the Buddha.

For Hindus, it's a harvest festival, starting the new year, and is celebrated with requisite bathing, partying, and worshipping. It's believed that the goddess Ganga descended to earth thousands of years ago...

For the Sikh community Baisakhi has a very special meaning. It was on this day that the last Guru Gobind Singh organised the sikhs into Khalsa or the pure ones.

There are a few more facts on the month at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaisakha.

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by SOGFPP

VATICAN CITY, MAY 16, 2005 (VIS) - Made public today was the annual Message sent by the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue to Buddhists on the occasion of the feast of Vesakh 2005. The Message, written in English, is signed by Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald, president of the pontifical council. Vesakh is a moveable feast which marks important events in the life of Gautama Buddha.

Wesak is only "moveable" with respect to the solar calendar. On the lunar calendar it is always the full moon of the Indian month of Wesak, after which the holiday is named. Therevadan Buddhists use this day to observe the birth, enlightenment, and final death (ie- no rebirth) of the Buddha. Mahayana buddhists celebrate these events on separate days, but the Mahayana observance the Buddha's birthday is close to Wesak so they have come to celebrate it this day too, with the Therevadans. Wesak is the only thing that comes close to a "universal" holiday in Buddhism.

This year, Wesak falls on May 22nd/23rd (whenever the full moon is in your part of the world.)

Originally Posted by SOGFPP

Archbishop Fitzgerald points to this year's 40th anniversary of "Nostra Aetate," the Vatican Council II document on the relationship of the Church to other religions, which states that 'the Catholic Church rejects nothing of what is true and holy in these religions'. Accordingly, Buddhists and Catholics are able to meet together, in a spirit of openness, sincerity and mutual respect, engaging in many different forms of dialogue."

Scott, do you have any idea how much I love Vatican II?

I just got back from a pleasant meeting with my minister who is a Christian UU. We were planning the service for this Sunday which he will honor the teachings of the Buddha. He's reaching a little on unfamilar ground so I'm helping him out a little (not that I'm an expert). I'm so happy that he's doing this, for the sake of dialogue within our church.

And thank you Scott for posting this. Good will all around.
Happy Wesak everybody!

[Doc]

This pleases me to see for once some friendly dialogue between religions in the news instead of people killing each other.

[Scott1]

Thank you anders and lilithu for the education about Wesak.

Originally Posted by lilithu

Scott, do you have any idea how much I love Vatican II?

Amen, my friend.... if only more people knew how much we as a faith have grown in the last 30 years or so, it would make my life a lot easier!