On the 18th August 2009, I attended one interfaith dialogue session on “Purpose of Life” that were organized by Intellectual Youth Club (IYC) and Malaysian Unity Secretariat (MISI) (link). It was a great session after all because there were representative from 4 different religions to talk about the purpose of life. Basically, it was not a debate or arguing session. The session was more on sharing knowledge about different religions on the purpose of life regarding to their respective religions.
Representative from Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, and Hindu(did not come) were given about 20-30minutes each to talk about what their religion said about the purpose of life. This was a very great way to share and to know about different kind of religions and being discussed in a very intellectual ways without any emotional or prejudice.
This is some of the contents in the handout that was being distributed that night.
The Essence of the Dharma
Avoid Evil,
Do Good,
Purify the mind.“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this:
‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’
There is no commandment greater than these.” -Jesus Christ (Mark 12:29-31)“Seek the abode of the Hereafter by what Allah has given you, and don’t neglect your portion of the world” (Al-Qur’an 28:77)
4 purpose of life in Hinduism: Dharma, Artha, Kaama, and Moksha.
Picture was taken by Mahader
