On February 17 and 22, HWPL held the HWPL Religious Youth Peace Camp at the Haroon Mosque temple in Bangkok, Thailand, and at the Chiangmai Campus of Maha Chulalongkorn Rajavidyalaya University respectively. The event, held offline for the first time since the pandemic, took place for the full understanding of other religions and religious peace.
The HWPL Religious Youth Peace Camp was a great opportunity to promote cultural exchanges between religions beyond ideology and religions through “Religious Culture Class,” experiencing other religions in person. And with a lecture on the theme of “A conversation that turns war into peace” participants had time to think about the value of mutual patience, understanding, respect, and continued interest in other religions in situations of conflict.
The HWPL Religious Youth Peace Camp at the Haroon Mosque temple on February 17 was organized by Imam Thanarat Watcharapisud, and 31 young people including temple officials attended the event. Imam Thanarat introduced the temple and Islamic worship culture to the participants, and they had time to experience the Islamic worship culture themselves.
Imam Thanarat Watcharapisud from Haroon Mosque temple said, “I’m so pleased to host this program inviting you who recognize the diversity of religion. Islam, in particular, belongs to a minority in Thailand. However, it is a religion that practices peace and love. I’m glad that this time has helped resolve the misunderstanding of Islam.”
At the HWPL Religious Youth Peace Camp held in Chiangmai Campus of Maha Chulalongkorn Rajavidyalaya University on February 22, a total of 20 university students and monks from Wat Sanpakha temple attended. At the request of the university, Mr. Frank Sethi, the secretary of the Chiang Mai Sikkh Temple, gave a lecture on the theme of “A conversation that turns war into peace.”
Mr. Frank Sethi, who was a lecturer that day, said, “There are two methods of conflict resolution. It is patience and understanding. People often forget about equality and inner state. Agreeing with the other person, and if you disagree, having a conversation about what you disagree with can help resolve the conflict.”
He also said, “I shared Sikhism at the Buddhist University and answered questions, and it was a very interesting time. There are many differences between Buddhism and Sikhism, but by comparison, it was also a time when we could find something in common that advocates peace.”
Kyow Wang Marma, Lecturer of Meditation and Buddhism Center of Wat Sanpakha, said, “we think we should train ourselves first. If you can’t change yourself, you won’t be able to change others either. We are no different from each other. We all have different names, countries, religions, surnames and positions, but fundamentally we are human beings.”
He said
“We are all born, sick and die. In the process, it would not be the purpose of human life to judge each other, say right and wrong, and reach a dispute without knowing other people well. If religion can teach us about conflict and violence and provide solutions, it can protect humanity and build a better world. And I think that is also the role of religious leaders.”
Through the event, participants from Buddhism, Islam and Sikhism had time to communicate one another, and shared a peaceful way of dialogue to reduce potential conflicts between religions.
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