Seeking Spiritual Relief

Last Sunday, all of 2 days ago, was a pretty special day. I went to a Buddhist event in the morning, and a Church service in the afternoon. Both a first for me.

I went to the Soka Gakkai's Kosen-rufu Day gathering at the Australia Culture Centre at the Sydney Olympic Park. Actually had to spend Saturday night at CK's place because my place is too far from the Olympic Park and I would not have been able to make it in time.

What is Soka Gakkai? Here is an introduction on its website:
"For SGI members, Buddhism is a practical philosophy aimed at awakening people to the limitless potential and value of their own lives. Practicing Buddhism brings about a positive transformation in the depths of an individual's life, transforming fear into courage, deluded impulses into wisdom and egotism into compassion.

Buddhism begins with individuals deciding to take responsibility for their own lives, first reforming themselves and taking action to improve their immediate surroundings and relations, and then gradually extending their wisdom, courage and compassion into a wider sphere."
Learn more, go here http://www.sgi.org/.

It was such an inexplicably peaceful experience, being around so many Buddhists. I got to talk to quite a few people and listened to their stories - how Buddhism has changed their lives. The whole gathering was held in a fully air-conditioned hall, resembling the setting of a Christian church - rows of chairs facing a stage at the front. There were performances, various speeches, from welcome speeches to speeches about experiences and self discovery, and then there were chantings. I was a bit freaked out by the chanting to be honest! They chanted really fast, and in unison, and they were left, right, front and back.

In the afternoon, I met up with a wonderful lady of the name Ee Leen at the University of New South Wales to attend the FOCUS Church Service @ 4:30pm. FOCUS stands for the Fellowship of Overseas Christian University Students. That's pretty much self-explanatory.

The church service was remarkably breathtaking. I have been to church services before, but they were all Christmas Day services. The one on Sunday was pretty different. There were the usual singing and praying, but I felt the pastor's talk on "Joy of Sacrifice" (Philippians 2:19-30) was most eye-opening. Perhaps right now I am just appreciating the pastor's words intellectually, and it would take some time for me to fully implement it in real life, but I do feel if I could gain from a session like this, I would be a phenomenal human being if I follow it on a regular basis.

http://focus-unsw.org/_media/banner_cc2009.jpg

Qi
Posted by Charles Liew at Tuesday, March 17, 2009 9:44 PM
Categories: Religion
Tags: Religion
 

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