The Parliament of the World's Religions, the largest interreligious gathering in the world, will convene for its fifth modern session in Salt Lake City, Utah, October 15-19. It's been a long time coming, anticipation has been building, and thousands of participants from around the world are expected to take part in the seminars and religious practices and to hear from such internationally-respected speakers as Mairead Maguire, Oscar Arias Sanchez, Dr. Karen Armstrong, Dr. Tariq Ramadan, Dr. Eboo Patel, Chief Arvol Lookinghorse, Valarie Kaur, Dr. Arun Gandhi, Rev. Jim Wallis, Dr. Vandana Shiva, Rabbi David Saperstein, Michael Bernard Beckwith, Tavis Smiley, and Terry Tempest Williams.
Many local groups will be taking part in the event. The Interfaith Center at the Presidio is presenting an exhibit of the McDonald Windows, stained glass art created from shards of windows destroyed during World War II in Europe that were gathered by a U.S. Army chaplain, Fred McDonald. The fragments were recreated into new art pieces celebrating peace and reconstruction. These beautiful messages of peace reborn from the destruction of World War II remind everyone of the ongoing challenge to promote understanding and cooperation among religious communities and institutions.
The first Parliament was held in 1893 as part of the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago and was notable as the first effort to gather religious leaders from around the world. Swami Vivekenanda, a Hindu teacher from India, stunned the delegates with his eloquent teaching. In fact, the first Parliament marks the beginning of Hindu teaching in North America.
A century later, a dedicated group of individuals worked together to develop a centennial celebration, also held in Chicago. In 1993, more than 150 religious and spiritual leaders came together and proclaimed a Global Ethic, based on shared ethical principles around the world.
By 1999, attendance at the Parliament had grown to 7,000 leaders, teachers, scholars, and practitioners. They met in Cape Town, South Africa, and demonstrated that the religions of the world could meet with mutual respect and together work for the betterment of all. Attendees had the opportunity to connect in new ways with one another and to make offerings of gifts of service, extending the impact of the Parliament far beyond the gathering itself.
Barcelona, Spain, was host to the Parliament in 2004. This time, 9,000 participants convened to deepen their spirituality, broaden their sense of community, and seek peace, justice, and sustainability for the world.
The last Parliament was held in Melbourne, Australia, in 2009, this time 10,000 strong. Issues addressed included indigenous populations, global povery, environmental care, migration, and artistic expression of spirituality.
Find out more about the Parliament at www.parliamentofreligions.org/