Building Bridges of Understanding is a cooperative educational program of the International Association of Sufism and the Humanities Department of Dominican University of California, with support from the Marin Community Foundation.
First conceived of by Nahid Angha, Ph.D., co-founder of the International Association of Sufism, the Building Bridges series began with an interfaith forum to investigate shared spiritual values that could help the community respond to and heal from the crises of September 11, 2001. As Dr. Angha said in her closing address at the first forum, "communities ensure the well being of their members through shared information, concerns, resolutions, awareness, active participation, appreciation and creation of common ground, and beneficial goals and hope for the future of our community."
The Building Bridges of Understanding Series is ongoing. The following subjects have been (or will be) addressed:
- Building Bridges of Spiritual Values
- The Many Faces of Violence in Marin
- Understanding Islam
- Understanding Buddhism
- Understanding Hinduism (upcoming on February 23, 2008)
Building Bridges of Spiritual Values (October 6, 2002)
One of the goals of this conference was to engender greater understanding of the different religious traditions present and active in Marin County and to envision ways we can strengthen our community for the sake of social justice. Dr. Harlan Stelmach, Humanities Chair of Dominican University of California, captured the intent of this first forum well by posing the following two questions in the opening address: "How do we go beyond a way of seeing the world that no longer serves the creativity of vision needed to engage the problems we face?" and "Today's civil religious context is too complex and maybe it is just this complexity that can meet this challenge. We are a multi-faith society. How dow we allow the strength of our diversity to elevate the situation in the world?"
Panelists included Rabbi Douglas Kahn, The Rev. Canon Charles Gibbs, Furyu Nancy Schroeder, The Rev. Kevin F. Tripp, Dr. Seyed Ali Kianfar, Rabbi Chai Levy, Dr. Philip Novak, and Dr. Robert Traer. The forum was attended by Marin County residents from the Jewish, Catholic, Sufi, Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, and Religious Science faith communities, as well as individuals who self identified as "spiritually curious," "no one tradition," "not religious," "non-denominational," "individual and strictly personal relgionship with a higher power of my choice." Over the course of the day, the group identified the most pressing issues that the interfaith community should address together: social justice, health care, economic justice, affordable housing, peace, the environment, tolerance, celebrating diversity, children and youth, immigrants, community caring, involving others, spirituality and religion, and prisons and penalties.
The Many Faces of Violence in Marin (March 27, 2004)
Our second conference took a concrete step forward to mobilize our collective wisdom and skills to move toward a more civilized society by focusing our energies on the problem of violence in our community. In this day-long conference, combining informative and inspiration talks, sharing of personal experiences, and small group break-out sessions, we addressed topics such as the anatomy of violence, cultural foundations, helpful guidelines for individuals and groups, creating support groups, and recruiting volunteers for existing organizations.
Along with community spiritual leaders and educators, participants included social psychologists and anthropoligists, social and health workers, family court, legal aid, human rights advocates, and representatives from shelters. Panelists and facilitators included Walt Kosta, Donna Garske, Dr. LeeAnn Bartolini, Lee de Barros, T. Crandall, Mark Owens, Angela Newman, Rev. Carol Hovis, Harry Barbier, Leili First, Dr. Arife Hammerle, Dr. Amineh Pryor, Leticia Romero, Arthur Scott, Pam Paulick.
Understanding Islam (March 11, 2006)
The conference addressed such issues as women in Islam, civil rights, beliefs and practices, Islamic architecture, mysticism, and music. Panelists included: Maha elGenaidi; Suleiman Ghali; Seyed Ali Kianfar, Ph. D.; Ebrahim Nana; Mitchell Schwarzer, Ph. D.; Saleh Arthur Scott; Taneen Sufi Music Ensemble; and Pir Shabda Khan.
Understanding Buddhism (2007)
An all day educational conference featuring scholars and practitions from various Buddhist backgrounds. Panelists included Joseph Bobrow Roshi, Zen master in the Diamon Sangha lineage and founder of Deep Streams Zen Institute; Sylvia Boorstein, author and co-founding teacher of Spirit Rock Meditation Center; Rev. Heng Sure, Ph. D., Buddhist monk and Director of the Berkeley Buddhist Monastery; Rev. Carol Himaka, resident minister of the Enmanji Buddhist Temple; Philip Novak, Ph. D., a practicing Buddhist and professor and chairman of Philosophy and Religion at Dominican University of California; Arjia Rinpoche, founder and director of the Tibetan Center for Compassion and Wisdom; and Rev. Furyu Nancy Schroeder, Buddhist Priest ordained in the Soto Zen tradition and founder of the San Francisco Zen Center.
Understanding Hinduism (upcoming February 23, 2008)
An upcoming conference. For more information, call (415) 472-6959.
