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World Religions - Unity in Diversity Seminar in New Jersey : The two-day seminar will be held at the Millburn Free Public Library in Millburn , New Jersey and will present a basic overview of the major world religions practiced by the diverse cultures in the State of New Jersey . The link for interfaith Seminar http://www.worldreligionsnj.i8.com/ A Critical Task During humanity's long history, man's search for God/Self has led to many pathways. The result has been an enormous diversity of religious expressions. After the tragic events of September 11, there has been a renewed interest in other cultures and religions. Moreover, our global well-being has made the need to understand human history and diverse cultures more critical than ever before. Brief Description The presentations on Saturday will describe the basic beliefs of the major religions including Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Judaism and Sikhism; as well as the oriental philosophies of Shinto, Taoism and Confucianism. The shorter session on Sunday will include an overview of world religions and a question and answer session with a panel of representatives from a variety of religious traditions. A summary of religious traditions and other literature will be provided to each participant. Program Dates: Saturday, March 8, 2008 - 10:30 AM to 4:30 PMSunday, March 9, 2008 - 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM Address The Millburn Free Public Library is located at: 200 Glen Avenue, Millburn NJ , 07041 Phone: 973-376-4006 Program Presenter on Saturday - Pravin K. Shah ( Raleigh , NC ) Pravin K. Shah conducts seminars on world religions at universities and interfaith programs across the US , Canada and the UK . He has also lectured on this topic at global forums, including the Parliament of World Religions held in Chicago , Cape Town and Barcelona ; and the World Religions Congress held in Montreal . He chairs the Education Committee of the Federation of Jain Associated in North America , and is the author of "Essence of World Religions: Unity in Diversity," which has been very well received by many interfaith organizations. Mr. Shah makes his home in North Carolina . Program Detail - Saturday March 8, 2008 10:30-12:30 Opening Remarks and Introductory Statements 12:30-1:30 - Lunch 1:30-3:00 Afternoon Opening Prayers/Blessings from two of the participating religions 3:00-3:15 - Break 3:15-4:30 Philosophies of the Far East (Confucianism, Taoism, Shintoism)List of Panelist for Sunday Program – The list is added at the end of this e-mail. Program Detail - Sunday March 9 2008 1:30-3:00 Opening Remarks 3:00-3:15 - Break 3:15-4:30 Question and Answer session with Panelists Help Sponsor this Program We are able to provide this service to the public for the low fee of $10 because of the sponsorship of like-minded organizations and individuals. You can help sponsor this program by making a $50 donation. Your name, or name of your organization and a link to your website, will be displayed on this site as a sponsor; and you will receive two complimentary seats for the entire seminar. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact Dr. Ari Jain, International Jain Sangh, 15 Emory Drive , Lincroft NJ 07738 , 732-842-5805 arijain@hotmail.com or Naresh Jain, 50 Maple Street , Rutherford , NJ 07070 , 201-933-8963 njain52253@aol.com or Dr. Barbara Velazquez, Spiritual Unity Network, 2115 Millburn Avenue, Suite 100-3, Maplewood, NJ 07040, 973-762-6722, barbaravelazquez@spiritualunitynetwork.org Program Sponsors International Jain Sangh The preceding links to sponsor's websites does not imply endorsement by Seminar organizers. List of Panel Members of Sunday Program Mohammad Ali Chaudry Ph.D. - Ex Mayor of Bernards Township, Dr. Chaudry is an educator, community and business leader. Since the September 11 tragedy, Dr. Chaudry has been active in promoting interfaith dialogs. He currently teaches "Understanding Islam" as a part of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Rutgers University . Dr. Chaudry is co-founder and President of the "Center for Understanding Islam" whose purpose is to counter extremism and to engage in interfaith and intra-faith dialogs with all communities. Dr. Chaudry holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Tufts University and is President of Chaudry Associates, a management and IT consulting practice. Steve Karnik - Chief Operating Officer of the Baha'i International Community at the United Nations and Chairman of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'i's of Teaneck, NJ. Past Head of Personnel at the Baha'i World Center in Haifa Israel . Mr. Karnik is a guest lecturer at New York University and has been a social worker and social and civil rights activist. Mr. Karnik holds a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Fairleigh Dickenson University . Dr. Marehalli G. Prasad - Dr. Prasad has written four books on Hinduism and has given several lectures on the subject at leading universities such as Columbia , Cornell, MIT and Stevens Institute. He is a featured speaker on "Bharat Darshan" a program of RBC Radio, New York . He is an outreach associate for the "Religion and Science" weekly of PBS television. He and his wife Greetha Prasad, through their cultural organization, Taranga, have written, directed and produced more than 25 plays and dance-dramas for all ages. Dr. Prasad is a professor of mechanical engineering at Stevens Institute of Technology. Pravin K. Shah - Director of JAINA from the Jain Study Center of North Carolina . Mr. Shah is fully engaged in education in order to provide Jain religious education to all ages through classes, workshops and lecture at various Jain centers in North America . Mr. Shah conducts seminars on world religions at universities and interfaith programs across the U.S. , Canada and the U.K. He has also lectured at the Parliament of World Religions held in Chicago , Cape Town and Barcelona ; and the World Religions Congress held in Montreal . Gurparkash Singh, Ph.D. was born in New Delhi , India . He did his graduate studies in Canada and the USA . He is a molecular biologist with a sub specialization in Neurosciences. He works for a pharmaceutical company in New Jersey . Mr. Singh has been involved with Interfaith groups for the last few years. He has represented the Sikhs in different forums organized by various social an religious organizations. He has been active in raising awareness about the Sikhs in New Jersey Schools. Reverend James F. Thomas is Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Iselin and has been an ordained Presbyterian minister for over 15 years. Reverend Thomas has served three different communities in New Jersey and has also served as a church worker among HIV/AIDS infected populations in northern Thailand . He has done extensive work in interfaith relations in both Thailand and the U.S. where since September 11, 2001 he has sought to build and cement bridges of relationship between members of Christian congregations and their Muslim, Sikh and Hindu neighbors. Reverend Thomas holds a masters degree from Princeton Theological Seminary. Lama Pema Wangdak was born in Tibetan and has been a monk since age 7. He is a student of His Holiness the Sakya Trizin and other great masters from the Sakya order of Tibetan Buddhism. He is a graduate of the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies in Benares , India where he received his Acharya (masters) degree in 1980. Lama Pema arrived in America in 1982 and in 1989 he founded the Vikramasila Foundation. This foundation encompasses the Palden Sakya Centers in New York City, Woodstock, NY, Philmont, NY; Cresskill, NJ; Jamaica, VT and Dayton, OH. Lama Pema has been guiding Western students for over 20 years. He continues to travel and teach extensively to Dharma centers around the world.Claragee Stamaty Ziment - Member of Temple Beth Miriam, artist, cartoonist and teacher. Her paintings, many of which display her passionate interest in promoting understanding and respect for diversity, have been exhibited widely in the U.S. She is listed in several Who's Who publications. She has been active on many committees such as the Monmouth Campaign for Social Action, Religious Practices, and Adult Education. She is an active board member of the Monmouth Center of World Religions and Ethical Thought and is currently working on a Golden Rule Project involving children from diverse faiths exhibiting works of art relating to their versions of the Golden Rule that exists in almost every faith. |