Official welcomes from Melbourne and the “Western Creation” (a traditional Australian performance group) made us very conscious of the good reasons for the Parliament of the World’s Religions to meet in Melbourne, Australia. It’s an extraordinarily diverse population with a wide variety of world views and polished practice welcoming foreigners.
The opening Plenary included music from Didgeridu player, Alan Harris, along with the beautiful Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra. Welcome messages from religions around the world showcased singing, dancing, and prayers. The message from every language, custom, costume, dance, and song was — Welcome!
I couldn’t help but want to give my best, whatever that might be, when I felt such sincere welcome from every religious voice we heard. Of course not all of the religions of the world were able to speak their words of welcome, but the ones we heard were Zoroastrian, Hindu, Jain, Buddhist, Sikh, Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Baha’i, Aboriginal, and Shinto.
Three brief keynote addresses brought us into the heart of understanding and acting on our appreciation of the religious values and insights of others. My take-away message from Dr. Sakena Yacobi was that we have a choice in the way we’re going to confront the sorrows and pains of the world today. Either we can be audiences to those who suffer, or we can become authors of good. The message encourages us to find the means to take action and take responsibility for the opportunities we have at our disposal to accomplish some good for humanity.
I feel welcome in Australia and ready to listen, learn, and take action everywhere I can.