Peacebuilders Exhibition

Enlightenment Stupa Consecration, Criccieth

The Holocaust Memorial Day

The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust are holding free Holocaust Memorial Day 2012 Workshops in Wales.  There will be a Cardiff workshop on Monday 26 September and a Wrexham Workshop on Wednesday 02 November.  If you would like to book a place on the Workshop you can email the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust at enquiries@hmd.org.uk or call our office on 0845 838 1883.

Holocaust Memorial Day takes place every year in the UK on 27 January and commemorates the millions who have been murdered in the Holocaust, Nazi persecution and in subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.  Many inter-faith groups have in the past used Holocaust Memorial Day to raise contemporary issues regarding human rights and equality and the importance of learning the lessons of the past to create a safer, better future. 

As well as highlighting the murder of six million Jews in the Holocaust, faith and inter-faith groups have also drawn on the persecution and murder of Gypsies, Gay men, disabled groups and many others by the Nazis, as well as subsequent genocides.

On the 26 September or on 02 November you’ll have a chance to hear more about the 2012 theme Speak Up Speak Out, receive training in activity organising, and meet others who are also planning to mark HMD within your area.  The Cardiff workshop is being held at Race Equality First, Friary Centre, Grey Friars Road, Cardiff, CF10 3FA between 1.30pm to 4.30pm, and the Wrexham workshop will take place at Wrexham Arts Centre, Rhosddu Road, Wrexham, LL11 1AU with the same running times.  We will be providing refreshments. 

If you are unable to attend the workshop, we will still be delighted to help you mark HMD 2012 and we have a wide selection of free resources to help you mark 27 January.

Speak Up, Speak Out - HMD 2012

‘In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.’ Martin Luther King Jr.

Holocaust Memorial Day Trust

PO Box 61074

London SE1P 5BX

t. 0207 735 7028

m. 07950 672878

e. charlie.lewis@hmd.org.uk 

www.hmd.org.uk

Charity no. 1109348

Visit from Assembly Government

On 7th July Andrea Adams, Secretary of the Welsh Government Faith Communities Forum, and her associate Jo Glenn, visited Ngakma Nor'dzin, the Chairperson of the Buddhist Council of Wales.  Andrea Adams is visiting representatives of all the faiths who send representatives to the Assembly's Faith Communities Forum as part of her orientation to her new rôle as Secretary.

Nor'dzin reports on the meeting as follows:
"Andrea and Jo asked many interesting questions.  They clearly had researched the principles of Buddhism and were interested to find out about my thoughts on various issues.  We discussed the Buddhist attitude towards organ donation; whether there were special Buddhist Holy Days that they should try to avoid when calling meetings; they asked about the form that Buddhist practice takes – such as meditation, mantra, chant, song, visualisation.
      I took Andrea and Jo up to see our shrine room, decorated in traditional Nyingma Buddhist style.  They enquired whether there was a particular image or icon that should be present in a shared faith room with regard to Buddhism. 
     One specific query was with regard to the recent government consultation document about same-sex civil partnership.  They said that one Buddhist had expressed a possible problem with the use of the word 'forever' for the vow a couple would make.  I suggested that this could have been because of the Buddhist view of the impermanence of everything, or because of the vow being made for the relationship in this lifetime only, as rebirth is a key tenet of Buddhism.
     I explained to Andrea and Jo about the importance of the teacher in Buddhism – how there were many and various forms of Buddhist practice and that the style of particular Buddhist groups would reflect the practice style of their teacher.  I expressed that unfortunately this can mean that Buddhist groups tend to be rather separate and not interact with one another.  This discussion about the teacher in Buddhism prompted a question about the Dalai Lama, and I expressed that all Buddhists would respect the Dalai Lama, but that he was not a 'Buddhist Pope' – that the Dalai Lama is the head of the Gélug school of Tibetan Buddhism, but that there were three other schools of Buddhism within Tibetan Buddhism itself, as well as numerous other forms of Buddhism quite different in style to Tibetan Buddhism.

They had one particular question about the Buddhist Council of Wales's website, which was why there was a 'members' page and an 'other' groups page.  I replied that it was necessary for members to be active and send a representative to our twice yearly meetings for the Council to function.  Those on the 'members' page were those that were currently active members.
     I enjoyed Andrea and Jo's visit and appreciated their taking the time to talk to me.  I believe my replies to their questions offered a broad view of Buddhism in Wales."

Faith and Parenting survey

The Buddhist Council of Wales has been informed of a survey that looks into faith and learning.  The questionnaire is quite short and easy to follow if you wish to support this work.

As part of a University of Warwick funded research project we are investigating the links (if any) between parents' religious or spiritual beliefs and their engagement in children's learning.

Below is a link to an online questionnaire which we would invite you to complete giving your views. All responses will remain anonymous.

http://tinyurl.com/parentalengagementsurvey

Results from the survey will be used to inform publications and further research into understanding how to best support children's learning.

We would be grateful if you forward this link to any other parents you feel would be interested in the research.

If you would like any further information on the project or have any questions please contact janet.goodall@warwick.ac.uk.

Thank you for your participation.

Dr Janet Goodall University of Warwick
Kathryn Ghent Birmingham City University

Newport Family Fun Day

The following Interfaith event with be happening this month:

NEWPORT FAMILY FUN DAY

REFUGEE WEEK EVENT, A COMMUNITY COHESION & INTEGRATION PROGRAMME.

SATURDAY 16th JULY 2011: 1pm - 7pm @ NEWPORT INTERNATIONAL SPORTS VILLAGE, SPYTTY, NEWPORT. NP19 4RB.

 

7 Aside Football Tournament on Astro Turf Pitches.

FREE TO ENTER A TEAM. FREE GLOBAL FOODS & SNACKS.

FREE T-SHIRTS. FREE BARBECUE INCLUDING HALAL.

FREE FOOTBALL COACHING SESSIONS FOR KIDS & WOMEN.

BOUNCY CASTLE & FACE PAINTING for CHILDREN.

SPEED SHOT COMPETITION: BEAT 64mph & WIN A PRIZE.

INTERNATIONAL MUSIC AND DRUMMING WORKSHOP.

Info: Robert Muza 07871277103 robertmuza@yahoo.co.uk

Ezala Beni 07776250748. Leigh Williams 07814496058.

Organisers: ZIMBABWE NEWPORT VOLUNTEERING ASSOCIATION.

Spiritual Journeys exhibitions at the British Museum.

The Buddhist Council of Wales has been informed via the Interfaith Council about two forthcoming major exhibitions at the British Museum exploring spiritual journeys.

Treasures of Heaven: saints, relics and devotion in medieval Europe

23 June – 9 October 2011

This exhibition brings together for the first time some of the finest sacred treasures of the medieval age. It features over 150 objects drawn from over 40 European church treasuries, including the Vatican, museums in the USA and the British Museum’s collection. The exhibition focuses on the peak of the practice of venerating relics in medieval Europe, and objects include relics of the Holy Thorn, fragments of the True Cross, the breast milk of the Virgin Mary, reliquaries made to hold relics of St Thomas Becket, and the hair of St John the Evangelist.

The Hajj: journey to the heart of Islam

26 January – 15 April 2012This exhibition will explore the sacred pilgrimage to Mecca, known as Hajj. Objects from the UK, Middle East, Africa and Europe will reveal the purpose, history and context of this significant journey for Muslims, from its beginnings to the present day. Discover the rituals that take place, the experiences of the pilgrims and the sheer operation behind this extraordinary and peaceful event which attracts over three million pilgrims each year.

For both of these exhibitions special group rates and lecture packages available. For more information and to book group tickets, please call 020 7323 8181 or visit www.britishmuseum.org. For group lecture packages, please email groups@britishmuseum.org.