Impressions of the
Parliament of World's Religions

Barcelona, July 7-13, 2004

 

Dear friends, co-workers of the Unitheum and "Peacemakers",

Back from Barcelona, from the Parliament of World's Religions, where I presented the Unitheum, an international interfaith project for the peace beween the different faiths, I want to share with you the attunement of this wonderful event which gave a preview of a possible "world full of love, light and wonderful people".

The Parliament of World's Religions is the only event of it's kind. It aims to inspire, challenge and energise people from all over the world who feel committed to peace, understanding and the interfaith movement. Representatives of different beliefs from around the globe gather in order to "cultivate harmony between the world's religious and spiritual communities and foster their engagement with the world and its other guiding institutions in order to achieve a peaceful, just, and sustainable world". These wonderful atmosphere could be felt very strongly, raising hope for a peaceful world in the future, where people will really care for the needs of others.

The parliament's subject this year was "Pathways to Peace: The Wisdom of Listening, the Power of Commitment". The parliament meets every four years in a different continent.

8000 people from 73 countries and innumerable spiritual traditions met together; in these seven days the about 350 events on the programme, such like workshops, talks, films, dialogues, talking-groups, spiritual practices and prayers, regional meetings and other events created an atmosphere of mutual recognition, understanding and loving attention for each other. The love that could be experienced obvious surely will have an impact on the every-day-life of all the different religious groups.

Although the parliament was held over a period of seven days, unfortunately I could only take part for 2½ days for financial reasons. The possibility to be there for the last half day was spontaneously given to me (and the Unitheum) by two generous American ladiy friends. Thank you again for this opportunity!

The Universal Worship, one of the many morning events, attracted a group of more than a hundred people in a room that was actually meant for 70. Here again the great attraction of the Universal Worship became apparent. There were about twenty different morning observances offered but the Universal Worship was by far the best attended. Among the visitors were representatives from the Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions (the religion of Zarathushtra had their own programme at this time but they send best wishes). Many were deeply moved by the service, most of them experienced it for the first time.

In the afternoon Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan (posthumously) and Hans Kueng was awarded the "Juliet-Hollister-Award" by "The Temple of Understanding" for their global interreligious life-works. Hans Kueng delivered an enthusiastic address, in which he talk about his way to the foundation "World's Ethics". Instead of Pir Vilayat is wife Mary received the award and Zahir Roehrs, his General secretary gave a wonderful, empathize speech about Pir Vilayat's life. The most moving aspect was how deeply Pir Vilayat was loved by so many people. Some years ago, when we visited Carl Friedrich von Weizsaecker (a German physicist) for the reason to present the Unitheum to him, he accentuated the importance of the two "column": dialogue and spiritual experience. These both means are necessary for him that spiritual traditions can live together in peace. By bestowing the "Juliet-Hollister-Award" upon Hans Kueng and Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan these two aspects were appreciated contemporaneous.

Many well known personalities in the interreligious community have promised to recommend the project by a letter and others who have connections to higher organisations and people have offered their help to make the Unitheum known as far as possible. Most of them asked to be reminded of this commitment by email as they were afraid they may forget due to the overwhelming flood of contacts made and information gathered at this event. Furthermore there were many contacts with private individuals from different countries, cultures, communities and beliefs who would pass on information about the Unitheum and as an exchange of information material with like minded organisations. The first part of the work to build the network is done. Now we only may wait and pray that the seeds sown will grow, blossom out and bear fruit.

Over and over I was asked: "At which event, or at which information-stall is the Unitheum presented? Where can one get more information about it, here at the parliament?" We did not know of the existence of this event until too late and furthermore we lacked the finance and co-workers to enable us to be properly represented. Perhaps this will be possible in 4 years. I was astonished to learn that there was little or no mention of the Parliament of World's Religions in the media outside Spain. Hence the existence of this wonderful bud for world's peace is not known to the public.

I was asked which encounter was the most important for me. At once several deeply moving yet totally different encounters with participants at the event and also with people who were not involved came to my mind but I cannot say which was the most important of these:

Three Sikh-women playing with the waves at the beach... The colours of their saris harmonised so wonderfully with the multicoloured water. Our eyes met, a few exchanged words and we felt like sisters.

With the help of many connections I finally stood before Babaji Mohinder Singh, one of the Sikh leaders; his loving glance, his hands closing around mine; receiving his blessing and his affirmation: "In a fortnight you will have my letter of recommendation for the Unitheum. I support the project."

Sitting in a circle next to a woman who speaks neither english nor german but only spanish (and I do not speek spanish); being asked to exchange our ideas on a certain question. Instead of looking for a partner with the same language we decide to have a wordless exchange through our eyes and hearts - deeply touched. In adoration and astonishment, with laughter and flowing tears we parted after five minutes and a tight hug as friends.

There were 8 female spiritual leaders from various traditions, sitting in their colourful dresses at a panel discussion. But it was no discussion at all. They spoke with one mouth located in different faces: It is the feminine quality (lived by men and women) that will lead to peace - to look for and feel with what the other person next to you is needing - to draw back part of one's own interest and needs in love like a mother does for a baby. It was the same thing Hazrat Inayat Khan said about one hundred years ago: "I see as clear as daylight that the hour is coming when woman will lead humanity to a higher evolution. And it is woman and man together who make evolution complete." Now it is time that we have to do it and to live it, otherwise we will be in danger that the message will go into the underground for another century.

I was especially touched by a young medical student from Nepal, who asked for support for peace in Nepal - as a private person, without a background organisation and no colourful brochures, with only his mild eyes and open heart... He carried his personal mission on his own small shoulders. Anyone who wishes to support his petition can do so on the internet at:
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/sushil/

To experience the 15 Peacemakers from the Holy Land: men and women, Christians, Muslims, Jews, Sufis and Druze working together for peace in the Near East and reporting on what them stir up to do as they do. Standing in front of a woman not known to me before who had forgiven her son's murder and the killing of her husband. Nothing was more urgent for her than peace. Crying together - not from sorrow or mourning but because we are deeply moved inwardly - and to sway in each other arms, without words, because words cannot express what we felt ...

Prof. Meher Master-Moos, a world-known mystic woman from the religion of Zarathushtra, whom I knew from Bombay some years ago, participated in a podium discussion and a ceremony - what heartfelt joy to see us again!

I was so glad to meet a woman from Germany to whome I like to get in contact for a long time past. She is working for URI (United Religions Initiative) and the German Muslim-Liga nearby my home. I am looking forward to see what will be possible to do together in different organisations.

Sitting in the plane next to a woman, appearing to me at first sight a little bit oddly, whose mind seemingly had absolutely no sense for religion, but than feeling her interest in what is behind the Parliament of World Religion and the Unitheum, feeling her opening up to her inner religion. And the miles between Marseilles and Frankfurt seemed passing "on the fly"…

There were many more encounters which could reflected the atmosphere felt at the Parliament of World's Religions. The openness, the compassion and the loving way of dealing with each other, the non-competitive sharing were so healthy. Charged with this energy - with the experience that it is possible and the hope that it might spread all over the whole world like a strong wind I gained new energy for the work that has to be done.
What a great potential ...

I am so grateful and pleased that I was allowed to represent the Unitheum at the Parliament of World's Religions, although it was physically hard work carrying 300 leaflets and other information material with me throughout the three days, having so many talks especial the English language is for me a rarely used and not well-spoken language, and absorbing all those impressions. It all felt like a dream, which still has to be looked at, thought about and digested.

Back in the office I have already emailed more than 15 of the well-known personalities from different religious groups who wishes to be reminded of their intention to support the Unitheum. Now we are waiting for the promised answers so that the network can stretch and grow like a dome over our project to strengthen, protect and bless it.

Greetings from the heart to all of you
who think, speek and akt in the mood of light, love and peace,

Yours sincerely Zamyat Gramann