A Sikh has become a member of the world’s Second oldest international interfaith Organization, The Temple of Understanding. Dr, Rajwant Singh director of Guru Gobind Singh Foundation in Washington D.C. is the first Sikh elected to the Board of Directors of the Temple of Understanding at its annual meeting in last December at its headquarters at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, in New York City,
Dr. Singh joins members of diverse religions in the Temple’s work of promoting dialogue and understanding between religions. The Temple was founded in 1960 through the efforts of a distinguished group of “founding friends,” Eleanor Roosevelt, Pope John Albert Schweitzer, Anwarel-Sadat, Jawaharlal Nehru, and the Dalai Lama, all of whom assisted the founder Judith Hollister in manifesting her dream of a world interfaith center in the U.S.
The temple has been multi religious and independent since it was first established. It maintains a strong commitment to the integrity of the traditions of the individual faiths; it is a nonprofit educational corporation and a non-governmental organization affiliated with the United Nations.
Current programs include youth, media, Latin America interfaith Network, NY City interfaith council, bilateral with the Soviet Union opening an office in India, Centennial of the Modern faith movement (1993). The Temple of Understanding organized the first interfaith response to the Salman Rushdie controversy which was widely covered by the press. The Temple recently launched the North America Interfaith Network, (NAIN) of 125 interfaith centers in the U.S. and Canada it published the first directory of these centers and sponsored the first continental interfaith assembly in Wichita, Kansas: A North American Assisi: A Multi-religious Meeting. Guru Gobind Singh Foundation organized the Sikh delegation of seven Sikhs to this conference in 1988. The temple also collaborated with the Global committee of Parliamentarians to develop the first Global Forum of Spiritual and Parliamentary leaders on Human survival at Oxford University in London, England.
The press release of the temple said, “Sikh meaning disciple, is a monotheistic religion founded in the 15th century by Guru Nanak… it distinctive and compelling spiritual features include compassion, justice, meditation, freedom and service. The Sikhs historic and contemporary presence alongside Moslems and Hindus enhances its critical role in the world.” The press release further stated, “The Temple of Understanding is honored and happy to welcome Mr. Singh. We look forward to a creative and productive partnership in the days and years ahead.”
Dr. Rajwant Singh said that, “I am grateful to the Temple for including me to the Board. It is our moral duty, as Sikhs to join an organization like the Temple to work hard to make this society more peaceful and just. In the days ahead, religion has a greater role to play to bring stability in the world and the concepts of Universal Brotherhood and Religious Tolerance in Sikhism has to be put forward in order to contribute in that process.
Amnit Kaur, secretary of Guru Gobind Singh Foundation stated that, “Our organization is even ready to participate in the organizations like the temple to bring the Sikh point of view in limelight so that the world can also discover the treasures of the Guru Granth Sahib. As an organization we will help in the projects of the temple to the fullest extent.” (GGSF)
Guru Gobind Singh Foundation, based in Washington D.C., is very active in the area of interfaith and has been participating in many multi-religious events to present the Sikh viewpoint. Last year it became full-fledged member of the Interfaith Conference of Washington D.C. It has also participated in a multi-religious meeting in Atlanta in March on the issue of Capital Punishment. Recently GGSF representatives also attended the exec board meeting of NAIN in Chicago to organize another muIti-religious celebration in Seattle, Washington in June 1990.
Article extracted from this publication >> January 12, 1990
