Pictured (l. to r.): Ven. TK Nakagaki, NY Buddhist Council & ICNY Board Member; Sebene Selassie, ED of Insight, Dr. Sarah Sayeed, Director of Community Partnerships at ICNY, en. Chang Hwa of the Chan Meditation Center and Imam Ibrahim Sayar, Peace Islands Institute
Reflection on Buddhist Muslim Dialogue
by Sasha Soreff
We say we are listening, but oftentimes, we are not. We say we understand, but oftentimes, we don’t. The Buddhist-Muslim Dialogue provided an opportunity to listen and to gain more understanding of these two religions about which there have been many misconceptions, toward each other and externally. I know a little about Islam, and perhaps a little more about Buddhism, but not nearly as much as I would like to about either. I was grateful, then, for the opportunity to hear two speakers articulate their relationship to their respective faith/practice. I was particularly moved to hear Dr. Sayeed, as a Muslim, describe how praying five times a day gave her the opportunity to reconnect with mindfulness in a complicated, challenging world. To me, it connected with the Buddhist Nun Ven. Chang Hwa of the Chan Meditation Center description of her experiences in meditation, and the sense that Buddhist practices she described, such as seeking of calm mind, undercut the draw forces of violence and turbulence in the world. I saw these practices of prayer and meditation along a continuum, different in details and related in intent. I value this opportunity to learn about traditions and practices other than my own but that have such resonance for me – I can only hope for more.
