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Southeast Asia & the Pacific Daily Prayers
A selection of prayers representing Cooperation Circles in Southeast Asia and the Pacific (Day 157 to 143).
Day 157:
On our last day in South East Asia and the Pacific we will support our second cc in Vietnam: Vietnamese Interfaith Council in the Mekong Delta CC.
The purpose of this cooperation circle is: “To develop more relationships with different groups so we can share one another's values and wisdom.”
We all know how difficult it is to develop and rebuild relationships after conflict. I am sure sharing values and wisdom will create a solid basis. Let us support this cc so that they acchieve their goal:
May members of Vietnamese Interfaith Council in Mekong Delta CC fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Vietnam!
May Peace prevail in South East Asia and the Pacific!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 156:
From Singapore to Vietnam to support in prayer / meditation Vietnamese Interfaith Council in Tayninh & Saigon Vietnam CC.
The purpose of this CC is: “Interfaith cooperation to create and maintain a vegetarian restaurant that serves the poor in the city.”
Our preamble finishes like this: “We unite to use our combined resources only for non violent , compassionate action, to awake our deepest truths and to manifest love and justice among all life in our Earth Community.” I see the purpose of the Vietnamese Interfaith Council in Tayninh and Saigon Vietnam cc very much in line with this. Let us support their work.
May members of Vietnamese Interfaith Council in Tayninh and Saigon Vietnam fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Vietnam!
May Peace prevail in South East Asia and the Pacific!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 155:
We pass to Singapore to support IUNUI CC.
This cooperation circle was created: “to use photographic imaging in promoting religious understanding.”
Members describe their activities like this: “We have formed IUNUI (I, YOU and YOU, I) recently and have created a website where the members will log in the pictures, which will be categorized under rituals, festivals, daily life etc. Later they will be show casting a selection at photo exhibitions in Singapore and abroad.”
In a more visual culture it is important that we use modern aids to express what we are searching for. It is great that we can “see” peace. Let us support the work this cc is doing with our prayers/meditations:
May members of IUNUI CC fulfill their aspirations and live in peace!
May Peace prevail in Singapore!
May Peace prevail in South East Asia and the Pacific!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 154:
We will support today The Peacemaker's Circle CC with our prayers/meditations. I am happy we can do it together. Marites Africa has been sending messages sharing with us the trying times they are experiencing these days. I don’t think it is just casual that it is time for Philippines to receive our daily prayers/meditations.
This cooperation circle was formed “To create a support circle of people of diverse religions, spiritual expressions, and indigenous traditions who come together in mutual respect, understanding and cooperation to realize a common vision of world peace, justice and the healing for the Earth.”
Read about the activities organized by this CC: “We hold a regular Tuesday Inner Work Circle, which is a weekly two-hour session devoted to sharing the teachings from our respective faith traditions on a given universal value of the week or a particular theme geared towards self-awareness and transformation. We also conduct public prayer gatherings and Interfaith Dialogue/forums for Understanding among leaders, women and youth of different faiths. We also design and conduct peacebuidling workshops/seminars on Visions of Peace Among Religions, Religion: Source of Conflict, Resource for Peace. We are also engaged in Muslim-Christian relationship-building in grassroots communities of Metro Manila through dialogue-workshops, community service, and video-documentary.”
It is important that we keep centered and focused in challenging times. The Peacemaker´s Circle and other ccs have done a lot of peacebuilding work in the Philippines. Let us pray/meditate they can find the peace they have being searching for together.
May members of the Peacemaker´s Circle fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in the Philippines!
May Peace prevail in South East Asia and the Pacific!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 153:
Still in Philippines we will support PAKIGDAIT of Mindanao CC with our prayers/meditations.
This CC was created: “To promote Unity, Trust and Confidence among Muslims and Christians. To promote Peace and Solidarity in the community.”
This is what members explain in the community directory: “Pakigdait is short for “Pag-amoma Alang sa Kalinaw” which means “safeguard peace" in the native Visayan dialect of the people of the southern Philippines. We conducted interfaith dialogues among Muslim and Christian leaders that paved the way for the creation of the ad hoc Municipal Inter-Faith Council (MIFC) composed of an equal number of Muslim and Christian representatives. We inaugurated the Peace Center Building formerly used by combatants and victims of the Mindanao war in Kauswagan, Lanao del Nort. This modest structure now serves as the venue for on-site trainings and baranggay (small community) assemblies. The Peace Center is the site of capacity-building and livelihood trainings and the Maranao Language Class. This program aims to bridge the 'communication divide' in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte in Mindanao, Philippines. We co-sponsor programs with other organizations.”
You surely read what Marites Africa, URI Peace Building URI leader in Philippines wrote yesterday thanking for our prayers/meditations for MUSLIM-CHRISTIAN PEACEMAKERS' ASSOCIATION OF CALOOCAN: “Your remembering them is significant at this time. Metro Manila is currently reeling from the tragic incident of the bombing in the Greenbelt Mall last Friday the 19th of October. Nine people were killed and over a hundred injured by the blast. Although it is NOT yet known who is responsible for the bombing, people here are quick to suspect this violence to be the handiwork of Muslim terrorists. We regret this presumption for this is NOT helpful to us and our situation. I hope that until the investigation into last Friday's bombing yield clear indication of who is responsible for the violence, anti-Islamic sentiments do not get in the way of our already fruitful efforts at building good relationships with our Muslim bothers and sisters here.”
Our prayers/meditations are needed. Let us recommit to support our suffering sisters and brothers in the Philippines.
May members of PAKIGDAIT OF MINDANAO CC fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Mindanao!
May Peace prevail in the Philippines!
May Peace prevail in South East Asia and the Pacific!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 152:
Today we will support Muslim-Christian Peacemakers’ Association of Caloocan CC.
This cooperation circle was formed with the purpose: “To promote peace, unity, and harmony between Muslims and Christians in our grassroots community in Caloocan City, Metro Manila, Philippines.”
This is how members of Muslim Christian Peacemakers´Asociation of Caloocan CC describe their activities: “We are a grassroots community in Metro Manila. We were formalized in October 2004, one year after our members came together in the spirit of mutual respect, understanding, and dialogue. Our meeting and eventual growing together in friendship was made possible through the assistance of the Peacemakers Circle CC. We meet every Friday for the Inner Work Circle where we share stories of our life's journey and discuss reflections on peace, love, hope, friendship, etc. that we have learned along the way. We also share thoughts and insights on the URI Preamble, Purpose, and Principles. After the Inner Work session, we meet on matters concerning the Association (i.e. how to promote peace and order in the community, how to inspire commitment to the endeavor of realizing the shared vision, finding ways to acquire sufficient water supply, electricity,
etc.) We lead interfaith dialogue meetings in the community as well.”
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Day 151:
Today we will accompany Kalinaw–CC with our prayers/meditations.
We read in the community directory that their purpose is: “To achieve the goal of URI.”
We know through Sister Sandra that this cooperation circle is working to guide university youth into interfaith dialogue and cooperation. Let us support their good work.
May members of Kalinaw CC fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Cebu!
May Peace prevail in the Philippines!
May Peace prevail in South East Asia and the Pacific!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 150:
There is a lot of URI work developed by several cooperation circles in different cities in the Philippines. Today we will support Bohol Goodwill Volunteers Inc. CC working in the Province of Bohol.
This cc was created “To pursue the URI Preamble, Purpose and Principles. To promote sustainable and holistic development.”
We read about it in the community directory: “In pursuit of the realization of URI's Purpose and Principles, as well as URI Charter Action Agenda 1, 2, and 4, the Bohol Goodwill Volunteers, Inc. CC held the following notable activities in 2002-2003. We initiated and galvanized support for the signing of a Statement for Peace and Nonviolence among the major religious groups in the Province of Bohol, Philippines on the occasion of the heightening of conflict in Iraq and gained eventual unequivocal support from the province's legislative body. In pursuit of ecological imperatives and 'healing for the Earth and all living beings,' we also embarked on a vigorous campaign for animal welfare and vegetarianism.”
Let us pray/meditate that they continue organizing notable and meaningful activities.
May members of Bohol Goodwill Volunteers Inc. CC fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Bohol!
May Peace prevail in Philippines!
May Peace prevail in South East Asia and the Pacific!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 149:
We pass to New zeland and we find United Religions Education CC.
As we clearly see in its name the purpose of this cooperation circle is: “Through education, to promote understanding and cooperation between different religions. In particular, to promote and lobby for religious studies in Schools and Universities.”
Discrimination, hatred and many other forms against peace have their origin in ignorance. Education is a fundamental piece of our work. Our guidelines for action express this in a clear way: URI will serve as a moral voice and a source of action grounded in contemplation in each of the following areas…Nurturing Cultures of Healing and Peace–actions to develop cultures in which all people can live without fear of violence.
We appreciate the work of this cc in New Zeland and pray/meditate to support their work:
May members of United Religions Education CC fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in New Zealand!
May Peace prevail in South East Asia and the Pacific!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 148:
We pass to Malaysia to support with our prayers/meditations Kuala Lumpur CC.
Members manifest their purpose: “To provide a platform and means for people of different faiths to come together to promote common principles contained in all religions, thereby fostering unity in diversity.”
The first four principles of our Charter clearly express the intention in the creation of United Religions Inititiative to avoid misunderstanding:
1. We are a bridge-building organization, not a religion.
2. We respect the sacred wisdom of each religion,spiritual expression and indigenous tradition.
3. We respect the differences among religions, spiritual expressions and indigenous traditions.
4. We encourage our members to deepen their roots in their own tradition.
The idea of a platform for people of different faiths to come together gives a visual reference to these principles. Let us support Kuala Lumpur CC, our only CC in Malaysia so that they can find the means to achieve their goal.
May members of Kuala Lumpur CC fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Malaysia!
May Peace prevail in South East Asia and the Pacific!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 147:
Still in Bali, in Indonesia with find Gandhi Puri Ashram CC.
This is what members of this cooperation circle say about their purpose : "We are dedicated to promoting the Gandhian ideals of truth, non-violence, peace, universal brotherhood, and humanitarian service."
The last paragraph of our Preamble beautifully expresses:“We unite to use our combined resources only for non violent, compassionate action, to awaken our deepest truths and to manifest love and justice among all life in our Earth community.” We can see how much in line with this the purpose of Gandhi Puri Ashram CC is. Let us support their work with our prayers /meditations.
May members of Gandhi Puri Ashram CC fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace !
May Peace prevail in Bali!
May Peace prevail in Indonesia!
May Peace prevail in South East Asia and the Pacific!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 146:
We pass to Indonesia to support with our prayers/meditations Ahimsa Satya Karuna CC.
This cooperation circle was created “To empower people to become truly independent and free through living and practicing the Gandhian lifestyle and simplicity and refusing to harm anyone or any creature in our daily life.”
Peace builders have models in all religions and traditions. Persons that have chosen to speak up for peace and to live into this value not being understood sometimes and even persecuted. We cannot doubt Mahatma Gandhi was one of these. His saying: “We must be the change we want to see in the world” has guided us. Let us support this cooperation circle inspiring people to follow Gandhi´s lifestyle.
May members of Ahimsa Satya Karuna CC fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Indonesia!
May Peace prevail in South East Asia and the Pacific!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 145:
We pass to Cambodia today to support Interfaith Youth Circle of Cambodia.
This cooperation circle was created with the Purpose: “To build up peace among youth through dialogue and friendship in Cambodia.”
And this is what we read about them in the community directory: "The Interfaith Youth Circle of Cambodia, organized by Sam An, a 25-year old Buddhist peace activist in Phnom Phen, began in October 2004. We include Muslim, Buddhist, and Christian friends of Sam An who have worked together in the Cambodia Interfaith Council (CIC) and the Alliance for Conflict Transformation. We are planning monthly workshops and roundtable discussions among youths from different religions and faith traditions on peacebuilding, democracy education, and good leadership. We engage in peacebuilding initiatives, attend to environmental protection concerns, promote domestic non-violent actions, and the observance of the land law."
This is our only cooperation circle in Cambodia. Let us pray/meditate these young people can succeed in their peacebuilding work and expand URI good news of interfaith cooperation for peace, justice and healing.
May members of Interfaith Youth Circle of Cambodia fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Cambodia!
May Peace prevail in South East Asia and the Pacific!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 144:
Today we will support UPM Unity Peace and Multiculturalism CC developing their work in Queensland, Australia.
Their purpose is: “To bring unity, peace and multi-culturism to our community.”
This is what we read about this cooperation circle in the community directory: “Unity, Peace and Multiculturalism is a new interfaith group organized in July 2004. We are planning programs about: growing in interfaith understanding; rendering interfaith community service; and, promoting spiritual education for youth.”
A challenge of this time is to create community. There might be a lot of people together without been in presence of a community. A community implies integration of diversity, understanding of differences, appreciation, service, exchange, cooperation. Let us support UPM Unity Peace and Multiculturalism in their search to build community in Australia.
May members of UPM Unity, Peace and Multiculturalism CC fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Australia!
May Peace prevail in South East Asia and the Pacific!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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Day 143:
We have prayed/meditated daily to support (20) twenty cooperation circles in (7) seven regions and today we will pass to South East Asia and the Pacific Region for twenty more in this row.
The first CC of this region in the Community Directory is Centre of Melbourne Interfaith & Others Network CC from Australia.
This group approved as URI cooperation circle exactly a year ago on October 11th 2006 states as its purpose: “Unity within Diversity.”
The description of activities we have in the community directory says: “Our group is built from the Multi faith community in Melbourne. We had a charity concert of Healing on September 6 at Melbourne University and Healing Forum “Equal Rights to All.” Recently, just before the UN International Day of Peace, our group went around different houses of worship and offered prayers for peace. We prayed in a Mosque, Synagogue, Church, Sikh Gurudwara, Brahma Kumari Center.”
Let us gather our spiritual strength to support this cc that unites diversity in cooperative work to create cultures of peace, justice and healing.
May members of Centre of Melbourne Interfaith and Others Network CC fulfill their aspirations and live in Peace!
May Peace prevail in Australia!
May Peace prevail in South East Asia and the Pacific!
May Peace prevail on Earth!
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