Oneness-Blessings from the Christian World – 1987 Jun 30 - Historical Repository for Sri Chinmoy: The Peace Meditation at the United Nations

Oneness-Blessings from the Christian World – 1987 Jun 30

Filed under interfaith excerpt or quote | MG Members in other events | Tributes and Expressions of appreciation

The leader of the Peace Meditation at the United Nations , Sri Chinmoy, has been involved with many events supportive of Peace and world harmony, including interfaith initiatives.. He has received encouragement from representatives of many faiths for his leadership and ongoing activities. Below are some of the words offered by members of Christian religious communities

INTRODUCTION

At a time when religious beliefs provoke turmoil and divisiveness in the world more often than harmony and love, spiritual teacher Sri Chinmoy has been striving to promote unity and global awareness among the world’s religions. Although he was raised in a Hindu family, his philosophy is that of a universal truth-seeker and peace-lover. He feels that just as each person lives in his or her own home but goes out to work or study in the larger world, each person, while maintaining the traditions of a particular religion, can also actively support a universal spirituality upon which world peace must eventually be founded.

In 1974 Sri Chinmoy was interviewed by an Italian priest and nun in Milan. The interview lasted about an hour, during which time the Sister, on behalf of the Italian speaking priest, asked Sri Chinmoy many questions-about Jesus, about the United Nations, about his path and that of other Masters. When the Sister asked him whether he believed in Jesus Christ, Sri Chinmoy answered, “I have the deepest admiration and adoration for the Christ. Although I was born in India and brought up on the teachings of Krishna, the Buddha and other spiritual Masters, when I studied the Bible, I found that the teachings of the Christ and the teachings of our Indian Masters are the same. This is because God is Truth, God is Love, and Truth and Love are universal. ”

In this spirit of oneness, and because of their sincere desire for peace among people throughout the world, members of the Christian clergy have often supported Sri Chinmoy’s work for world peace. This booklet is a collection of some of the words offered by the religious community. Sri Chinmoy treasures these comments as beacon-lights of hope for a world struggling to raise itself from darkness. To each Sister, Priest and Brother he offers a special flower of gratitude.

Contents:

Pope Paul VI and Sri Chinmoy met one another for the first time on Mar 22, 1972.

Pope John Paul II received Sri Chinmoy with great warmth at a meeting in the Vatican on Jun 18, 1980

Archbishop Giovanni Cheli, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, Sep 23, 1977.

Msgr. Thomas Hartman, Director Radio and Television, Diocese of Rockville Centre, New York, Nov 21, 1983.

Father Jim Fischer; President of Regis High School, New York, Oct 28, 1986

Brother Charles Murphy, Franciscan friar at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church in Albany, NY Aug 5, 1979. Also as member of Bishop’s Commission on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs – Welcomes and reads from documents of Vatican 2.

Father Peter Mann first interviewed Sri Chinmoy on “East Meets West,” aired on nationwide Catholic television.

Brother Seraphim, a member of an order of Brothers in Los Angeles

Father Edward Lavin, a Jesuit priest who teaches who teaches art and meditation at Regis High School in NY

Rev. Thomas E. Ahlburn, Senior Minister at the First Unitarian Church of Providence, RI,
Sister Marion Irvine, outstanding U.S. masters marathoner, also referred to as the “Flying Nun” by news
media for her outstanding running ability.

Sister Mary Joan, a Sister of the Divine Compassion from Good Counsel Convent

Sister Mary Rita, Mother Superior of the Carmelite Sisters in St. Catherines, Ontario

Peter Oliver, Librarian of the Andover-Harvard Library, of the Harvard Divinity School

Dr. Krister Stendahl, Dean of the Harvard Divinity School,

Professor Ralph Lazzaro, Director Emeritus of Language Studies at Harvard Divinity School, translated poems by Sri Chinmoy into Latin for book, entitled Simplicitas Cordis

Leaders from six of the world’s major religions participated in a program at the Church Center for the United Nations in honor of the National Day of Prayer, proclaimed by President Ford. July 24. 1975. Event covered by NY times.

Sri Chinmoy leads the opening meditation at a Spiritual Summit Conference at the United Nations, Oct 24, 1975

In 1973 Sri Chinmoy wrote “The Son”, a play about the life of Jesus, performed in New York and Canada in 1974 at over 30 churches. The Kettledrum Theatre Company of London performed it at the United Nations during an American tour and also throughout Europe. 50 performances of The Son in churches and religious departments of universities in Great Britain. 1975. some comments by:
- Brother Daniel, a Roman Catholic member of the Westminster Interfaith Group
- Martin Grubb, leader of the Quaker Hall in Ealing
- Member of Radius Drama Group, Drama wing of Church of England.