美國佛教會為發揚菩薩慈悲精神，並依循廿年來的傳統，於2021年1月1日(周五)舉行線上世界和平祈禱大會，邀請各宗教界代表，包括佛教、天主教、基督教、猶太教、伊斯蘭教、印度教、BAHA’I等代表，於網路上聯合發表，一起為世界和平及Covid-19疫情消弭而祈禱。
2020年是一個全球性災難籠罩，並令人心碎的年份，讓我們大家在2021年的元旦，不分宗教、不分國籍、不分種族，以一份無緣大慈，同體大悲的菩薩心腸，用著不同樣的宗教儀式誠心祈禱。
誠摯歡迎中西方的護法大德及十方善信於網路上屆時一同觀看、聆聽、參與。
金剛非堅，願力最堅；虛空非大，心王最大。在這個最為動盪的年份，讓我們一同體證內心的平靜，並為世界的和平獻上一份力。
日期：2021年1月1日（星期五）
時間：上午10:00am
宗教聯合祈禱會 各宗教代表
菩提比丘Venerable Bhikkhu Bodhi
Venerable Bhikkhu Bodhi, originally from New York City, has been a Buddhist monk since 1972 and is highly regarded as a scholar and teacher. He has lived at Chuang Yen Monastery since 2007 and has been president of BAUS (Buddhist Association of the United States) since 2013.
鎮長Town of Kent Supervisor Maureen Fleming
I am entering my eighth year as Supervisor of the Town of Kent. I have been married to the same wonderful man, Jim Mulvena, for 33 years. Together we have raised three amazing humans - our sons Jim and Tom and our daughter Claire. In addition to being the Town Supervisor, I am also an attorney.
明光長老Former President Ven. Ming Kuang
Van. Ming Kuang is a native of Taipie, Taiwan, R.O.C. and graduated from the Graduate School of Management Science at National Chiao-Tung University in Taiwan. He Was ordained as a Buddhist monk at Sung-Shan Temple, Taipei in 1978, He serves as the Abbot of Haiming Temple, Ta-Hsiung Monastery, Fayu Temple, Daci Temple, Guanyin Temple in Taipei and Chung-Tien Temple in Tai-Chung, He also is the Vice President of Buddhist Association of the Republic of China, and Vice President of the World Fellowship Buddhists, He is the Director and Teaching Acharya of the Buddhist Association of the United States.
Graymoor - Father Tom Orians, SA Franciscan Friar of the Atonement
Father resides at Graymoor where he has served as Associate Director of the Graymoor Ecumenical Institute and Former President of the Graymoor Spiritual Life Center. He currently serves on the National Council of Churches of Christ Local and Regional Ecumenism. Fr. Orians has been a regular participant in the BAUS annual Interfaith Prayer for World Peace.
Maryknoll – Father John Martin, M.M.
JOHN P. MARTIN, born in New York of Irish immigrant parents was educated in the Catholic Tradition. During seminary days, in 1964, he began his lifelong collaboration in the Christian Ecumenical movement with Fundamentalist and Main Line communities. From 1966 to 1975, and from 1997 to 2012, he served as a missionary priest in communities in Mexico City and Yucatan as minister to their social, religious and spiritual needs. He started a community to teach contemplative prayer and one to enhance their missionary spirituality. He participated in a weekly ecumenical Scriptural discussion with pastors and laymen in Merida, Yucatan. From 1975 to 1982 and 1991 to 1994, he lived as a pilgrim and brother in South Asia among believers in the Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh and Christian Traditions in their communities, temples and ashrams. He earned a Master’s Degree in Theology of World Religions at Harvard. In the USA, he enjoyed fellowship in communities for Native American Spirituality and Hindu Vedanta. He participated in many international, regional and local interfaith gatherings in India, the USA and Canada, including the Parliament of World Religions twice. These extended experiences have enabled him to assimilate into his life some traits of the peoples he lived with, served and came to love, in a rich and fruitful exchange of human spiritual gifts. He has written about these elements of his long missionary life in an assortment of articles and personal essays.
UN NGO Representative for the International Prison Chaplains Association - Hans Hallundbaek
Dr. Hans Hallundbaek is a Presbyterian Minister and director of the Interfaith Prison Partnership (IPP) focusing on prison outreach and reform. He serves as the UN representative for the International Prison Chaplains Association (IPCA). When the Great Buddha Hall was opened in the nineties, Hans Hallundbaek served as a consultant to BAUS founder, Dr. D.T. Shen on outreach efforts to other religious organizations, including initiating the annual New Year’s Prayer for World Peace.
猶太教Judaism (Jewish Faith) Rabbi Harry Pell
Rabbi Harry Pell is The Leffell School's associate head of school, as well as a teacher of Talmud and Israel studies. Before coming to The Leffell School, Harry earned an undergraduate degree from MIT in architecture as well as ordination and a master's degree in Jewish education from the Jewish Theological Seminary. When he is not in school, Harry enjoys spending time with his wife Lisa, children Eliana, Nahum (Nami) and Maya, as well as running, cycling, and traveling. Rabbi Pell served as a reserve chaplain in the United States Navy and currently serves as a chaplain for the Greenburgh Police and Fire Departments. He is also proud to visit the Chuang Yen Buddhist Monastery annually as part of their interfaith prayer for peace.
Ven. T. Kenjitsu Nakagaki
Rev. Dr. T. Kenjitsu Nakagaki, D. Min. is a Buddhist priest, ordained in the 750-year-old Jodoshinshu tradition of Japanese Buddhism. He is a President and Founder of the Heiwa Peace and Reconciliation Foundation of New York, Ltd [501(c)3 charity NPO] formed 2018. He is an executive officer and former President of the Buddhist Council of New York. Rev Nakagaki is a Hiroshima Peace Ambassador, Nagasaki Peace Correspondent, an Honorable Board Members of the interfaith Center of New York, and New York City Police Department Clergy Liaison. Since 1994, Rev. Nakagaki has organized an Interfaith Peace event to commemorate the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings. He organized the annual 9-11 WTC Memorial Floating Lanterns Ceremony from 2002-2011.
Muslim - Chaplain Sana Shabazz
Sana Shabazz is currently and has been a Chaplain with the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) for 24 years, working at Taconic, Beacon and Bayview Facilities for women, as well as Edgecombe Treatment Center for men and Work Release Center for women. With a degree in Criminal Justice, Sis. Shabazz is also a writer and poet whose work delves into the “spirit of daily living.” Sis. Shabazz is a published writer. Her books “Why Women Cry: A Compilation of Stories, Poems & Positive Responses for the Cleansing of the Eyes & the Soul” and “Stories & Strategies for the Alzheimer’s Caregiver” were self-published. Her books have also been placed public libraries throughout upstate New York, as well as included in a wide range of book clubs and discussions for women’s groups throughout the inner city, speaking on life’s issues and challenges, Alzheimer’s, caregiving and particularly, women’s issues. Sana Shabazz is also the author of the curriculum “Life Skills: Transition to Society”, sharing strategies and information vital to the successful transition from behind the walls to living successfully in society.
Hindu-Dr. Uma Mysorekar
Dr. Uma Mysorekar, a retired Obstetrician and Gynecologist, was born in Bangalore, India and has been involved in several social organizations since 1976. As President of the Hindu Temple Society of North America, has initiated numerous programs to bring the community together including spiritual and cultural activities. Initiated several interfaith meetings to bring about awareness of Hinduism and spoke at numerous functions to educate people on Hinduism. Charged with responsibility for daily affairs, Temple expansion, communication and the implementation of various programs.
BAHA’I - Leonard Galit
A retired educator; married to Yu-rung Chen. We have two grown children, Dora, our daughter and Sam, our son. I have been a Baha’i for over 40 years as I believe in the unity of all mankind, unity in diversity.