Buddhists and Christians, pathways for our times
A Europe that is a little tired and pessimistic? Maybe. These were the terms used by Pope Francis when he spoke during his recent visit to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. The challenges that Europe, together with the whole world, faces are many.
The convention of dialogue between Buddhists and Christians, which was held on December 10 at the Pontifical Urbanian University, sought a common message of hope so that the world does not revolve around economic interests, but have in its heart an anthropological orientation that affirms the sacredness of every human being.
The event was organized by the Ufficio Nazionale per l’Ecumenismo e il Dialogo interreligioso della Conferenza Episcopale Italiana (UNEDI) [National Office for Ecumenism and interreligious Dialogue of the Italian Episcopal Conference], the Pontifical Council for interreligious dialogue, the Italian Buddhist Union, together with various Christian and Buddhist organizations.
The crisis viewed from various perspectives: the anthropological-theological, so as to lay the foundations, and the economical financial to offer some input. Vincenzo Giorgino of the University of Turin, and Luigino Bruni of the Lumsa University of Rome, in fact, two voices, Buddhist and Christian, studied in depth the crisis and the uncertainty of contemporary man. From here emerged starting points for study and reflection on capitalism that can be replaced with new paradigms such as that of the economy of communion.
Then a medley of experiences about the battle against the crisis. The Community of St. Egidio shared on how they go ahead along their way made up of prayer, the poor and peace; the Sisters of Mother Teresa of Calcutta shared on how they help single mothers in Italy; the Focolare Movement related their experience of helping the migrants in Lampedusa and the journey of fraternity that has begun with the Muslims in Sicily. On the part of the Buddhists, the Rissho Kosei-kai of Japan shared how they raise funds through the Skip a meal campaign for situations of poverty, emergency, education, environment, refugees, wherever there is a need. The Tzu-chi Foundation of Taiwan, which was started by a small group of female Buddhist monks and housewives, now has 10 million volunteers and donors and has been able to send aid to 85 Countries.
The following day, the delegation of the Tzu-chi Fondation, led by their spokesperson Rey-Shen Her, was welcomed at the international headquarters of the Focolare Movement for a meeting to get to know each other better. Some Buddhists friends from Rome and members of the Focolare involved in various sectors were present. Tzu-chi, which in chinese means “compassion and assistance”, is the biggest Buddhist organization for charitable works in the world. It was founded in 1966 by Cheng Yen, a female Buddhist monk, the winner of the Niwano Peace Prize of 2007.
Through the respective presentations of spirituality and activities, even if in a very brief and concise manner, followed by an open dialogue, one is able to grasp some characteristics that are in common: they were both founded by women, the culture of giving is lived, there is the sense of being a family, reciprocal love and altruism, for example.
Answering to some questions, Prof. Her affirmed that «the activities of compassion towards those in need purify us». «These are words – affirmed Christina Lee, of the Center for interreligious dialogue of the Focolare – that remind us of the words of Chiara Lubich, “we go to God through our neighbours”. Elements that unite us in the common journey towards universal brotherhood and for the good of humanity».
«Aware that our encounter with the other is either filled with humanity and compassion or it has failed in its mission: that of bringing God to the people of today, in a discrete and maybe sometimes hidden way, but nonetheless true and significant », concluded Fr. Cristiano Bettega, director of the UNEDI.
“The Expected One” by Igino Giordani
The wonder of Redemption began with the birth of the Redeemer, the King of Creation who couldn’t find a room to come into this world, nor a stone on which to rest his head.
He was true man and his appearance among the people for whom he came took place in the appearance of an infant lying in a manger.
The Romans awaited a saviour who would appear as a boy, who would begin a new cycle of the centuries – the Greeks and the Persians as well.
The Jews expected him in the light of prophecies that pinned all hopes on him for a rebirth of the past and a total overturning of the present.
The overturning was already underway in that low-class birth, which placed the Son of God on the level of the victims, the homeless, the moneyless, victims of floods and wars: those on the bottom level of the widespread human misery. Later he would die on the scaffold of disgrace and shame.
Such a stunning presentation of the Divinity: haloes of angels above and shepherds’ knots below. But even more astounding was their song at that singular birth which resounded and filled that night with bright and shining glory: Glory to God in the highest; and peace to all on earth!
The glory of the God resounds in those lyrics: peace to all on earth! God’s peace is his glory, and the people’s peace is their glory.
The link lies already there in that relationship of divine and human values contained in God’s Incarnation, where the divine nature and the human nature are united in one person, the link and mediator of the infinite in the finite, of the eternal in the transient, of the glory in the peace.
Henceforth, the glory of God will never be separated from the peace among his people. If there is one, there will be the other; if one is lacking, so will the other be.
Great and packed with consequences was that first proclamation of the Good News, that announced the social and personal effect of love, the law of the new era, adopted by that low-class Child. The effect of that law is peace. If there is peace, it means that the divine light of charity is flowing in the spirit of each person and in the relationships among all; it means that people will like brothers and sisters perceiving the presence of the Father.
The greatest glory that people can give to God in the highest is, witih good will to secure peace below, the peace of rational beings on the lowest of the planets, this flower bed in which we become so ferocious.
Through peace our life on earth can be divine. If, instead of wasting time on hating, we gain life by loving, we will welcome into our hearts the God who is Love. God has taught mystics that he dwells nowhere except in peace.
Therefore, with the presence of Christ, a stable can be the highest heavens, a barn can be a church, every house can be a church, every office, even every Parliament.
Igino Giordani, (Turin: Parole di vita, SEI: 1954), pp. 21-23.
Justice: an ongoing exercise
“I’ve been working in the criminal justice system of Santa Fe for twenty years. It’s not a good business card to be holding these days in Argentina, where officials and institutions are the subject of constant suspicion, whether justified or not.
Ever since my first experience in the Focolare with the Gen, the spirituality of unity has given meaning to my presence in the environment where crime, violence and non-love are more evident than love, which is the fulfillment of the law, as St Paul says. During these years of constant challenge I tried to gear professional training, ethics, career and social relationships towards serving people, and certain difficult steps made in this direction have turned out to be decisive for me on my journey.
When my wife and I decided to adopt a little boy, we didn’t profit from the knowledge of people who could have helped us to complete the adoption process more speedily by going ahead of other couples who were perhaps living in solitude and suspension. Finally we were called: the official on duty, who knew me, was quite surprised by our attitude during during all the years of waiting. With the arrival of our adopted daughter, it was confirmed for us that God’s plans are perfect and can be realized when we do His will.
One time I had to take care of a case in which the defendant was ready to take justice into his own hands if he didn’t receive a favourable verdict. Meanwhile I continued to receive alarming anonymous messages regarding the dangerousness of the defendant and his close links with local authorities. In spite of it all, I stayed faithful to the juridical process and more than once had to give serious warnings to the defendant regarding his obligations in the procedural process. In the end, the verdict was not in his favour, but I gained the trust of his lawyer which continues until today. When I finished the case, that person came to greet me. He confided in me concerning his violent tendencies, and how in future situations in which he felt the urge to become violent, he would turn over to his son that problem which seemed unsolvable to him.
Since trials are recorded in writing, the whole process produces a mountain of paper work that makes consultation quite difficult, and often defendants and their families suffer helplessly. It is precisely in these situations that creating a space for sharing allows for bringing into evidence the individual dignity of each person, which is a first step towards hope for a better life.
At times, the mere fact of listening to someone with the heart and mind, can give us a light that goes beyond procedural practices for formal interrogation of a detainee, so that the person can explain his dramatic situation, and the justice official can have an adequate knowledge of the facts for making a truly humane decision. This has happened to me many times, like when I decided on a psychiatric visit for a detainee whom I had deeply listened to. There was a real danger that might attempt suicide, and this decision restored some balance to his situation.
“You know better than I do. What always makes the difference everywhere is: love, even in the exercise of justice.
(M.M. – Argentina)
Living the Gospel: Congo – A Surprise Visit
“Sunday, November 22. It is afternoon. The doorbell rings in the focolare of Kinshasa. There is a big car at the door,” Edi writes. “We see a lady getting out of the car who is involved in one of the most important political parties of the Congolese government. The woman is accompanied by her bodyguard and carries a large package. We are happy to see that it is Georgine, a former Member of Parliament, who is still engaged in politics and now takes care of indigent mothers. We only came into contact with her recently. The heavy pack that she is carrying is full of Congolese panie, a local fabric from which traditional clothing for both women and men is made. “I wanted to come and see you – she says – because I heard that you had lost a suitcase … Here, with these panie you can make some new clothes.” The woman gives us panie that are worth quite a lot, corresponding to at least two monthly salaries, sufficient for us and for others. A few days ago one of us, returning from a conference in Rome, had lost her hand luggage on the plane. The suitcase contained not only her clothes, but also the “communion of goods” that she had gathered in Italy for the poor; a fact that had caused us much pain. We are amazed and spontaneously start to dance around the lady! But why this kindness from a person who only recently got to know us?” 
What happened was this: at Mass that morning, the lady had noticed that one of us, rather than just remove the dust from her own bench, had dusted all the others as well without being asked. She was curious and wanted to know about the lives of these young people and was very impressed. “After having danced around her, to thank her – they write – Georgine explains the reason for her gift: “I wanted to give thanks to our God for you and share the joy in my heart because you are here! The One you have followed does not forget his daughters. In this dark world where evil forces reign, you live like lambs among wolves. It is not easy to live in the midst of the world and be totally given to Him. But take heart, you are a light for the world.” We went, then, together to our small chapel to thank the Lord.” From the Focolare of Kinshasa