Strategy

Strategy in Inter-religious Dialogue

Our strategies to attain our goals are at 1) institutional and 2) organizational levels.

• Institutional Strategies
  
  At the institutional level the Commission intends to revive the ‘Harmony’ Inter-Faith Forum.For over two years the Inter-faith Forum Patna, an initiative of Patna Jesuit Dialogue Commission, worked well in collaboration with other groups and individuals in Patna. However, the work of the Forum has come to a standstill. There is a need to revive the Forum through which a lot could be done in the direction of creating harmony.
  
  Secondly, the Commission intends to set up a centre for dialogue in Patna. This centre with a library and documentation centre for research and study of religions could function as a place where various inter-religious programmes such as seminars, workshops, inter-faith prayers, training in interreligious dialogue, celebration of festivals etc. are organized. The centre also would work as a hub from where inter-religious programmes could be taken to the rural areas of Bihar.
  
  Patna being the present day Capital and having a long and ancient political, cultural and religious heritage is best suited for a dialogue centre and presents a lot of possibilities. It is a city that almost all Indian religious traditions consider important and there is a sizable population of Hindus, Muslims, Christians and Sikhs here. There are several Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and movements working for social justice and harmony with whom we are able to collaborate.
  
  Thirdly, the Commission envisages strengthening Jeevan Sangham, the Bodh Gaya centre for social action and inter-faith dialogue. Bodh Gaya being an international Buddhist centre is a very important place for dialogue with Buddhists. We could collaborate with the existing Buddhism study centres and research institutes at Bodh Gaya such as the Root Institute, the Mahabodhi Society and others. Efforts also can be made in the direction of establishing an International Centre for Dialogue as a project of the South Asian Assistancy, involving Jesuits, scholars, religious leaders and others from various countries.
  

• Organizational Strategies
  Organizational strategies include organizing programmes and activities either by this Commission or through other ministries. The following possibilities will be explored.
  • Promoting Harmony through Educational Institutions
    Educational institutions, especially schools are the place where young minds, that will shape our tomorrow, are formed. Children pick up from their parents, family and environment negative attitudes and prejudices regarding other religions. Jesuit education must help the children to assimilate values of harmony and inter-faith living in a pluralistic society. Some of the possible ways we shall strive to achieve this goal are: integrating inter-faith values in our curriculum, imparting knowledge of other religions, conscientizing the children through  literary or painting competitions, skits and dramas, workshops on harmony, establishing units of Harmony Forums for children in schools, etc. 
    
    It is also important to form the teachers in values of inter-faith harmony and motivate them to impart these values to children. Some teachers could be negative and prejudiced in their approach to other religions. Teachers must be taught ways and means of living in a pluralistic society in harmony and collaboration with others. This could be done by organizing occasional workshop or other such programmes for teachers.
  • Our Parishes must be Centres of Harmony
    An inclusive understanding of the Church as people God will help us to extend our circle of relationships and reach out to people of all religions in parishes. We shall take steps to motivate and encourage the parishioners to respect other religions and enter into dialogue and collaboration with people of other religions. The church campus could become the locus of inter-faith prayers, common celebration of religious festivals, inter-faith action for social causes, etc.
  • Fighting Communalism through our Social Centres
    The social action centres are already inter-religious in nature as they work mostly with people of other religions. In the context of growing trends of communalism, we shall step up our efforts in fighting the maligning effects of communalism. Street plays (Nukkad Nataks), folk songs and such other means of communication are effective in conscientizing people. The social action ministry centres could extend their programmes to schools, parishes and other centres.
  • Message of Harmony through our Communication Centres
    We shall collaborate with our communication centres in using both visual and print media, and in developing programmes aimed at promoting inter-religious harmony in society. We could collaboratively organize training programmes in harmony for those working in other ministries. The programmes could include organizing competitions, quizes, nukkad nataks, etc., to promote values of harmony among children and youth.
  • Engagement with the Intellectuals and NGOs
    A lot can be done in the field of inter-religious dialogue in collaboration with people who are working for harmony. There are several individuals and groups working to establish a harmonious and just society in Bihar. We would network with them.