Guess where Pastor Susan spoke???
I am very happy for this blog post…do take a read. I like anything that creates harmony and understanding.
Every year, the United Peace Federation (in Kuala Lumpur) organizes a yearly celebration called the “World Interfaith Harmony Week”. This celebration exists due to the kind initiative of King Abdullah II of Jordan… he pushed for the resolution to be passed in the United Nations General Assembly in 2010. Now, there are 33 other countries who participates in this celebration all over the world.
Liaison David Lai was invited as he is a very good English speaker. He often gets invited for talks now (See David speaking here re Bodhisattva vows: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twI-vkiTFBg ). Along with David went Pastor Susan and a few Kecharians to the World Interfaith Harmony Week event.
Yesterday, about 100 people attended the World Interfaith Harmony Week congregation in KL. Those who attended were all from different races, cultures and religious backgrounds… How beautiful… Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, Sikhs etc all discussing about interfaith-related matters.
The event began with an introduction of the celebration, followed by a screening of the video, “With One Voice”. Three panelists then spoke about their experiences of peace, how to foster it, and how they themselves have fostered it.
A Hindu swami stood up to say how he felt:
1) He didn’t like that the panelists used the word “tolerance” because it means that you don’t truly accept something. It means you still hate or dislike something, but can’t do anything about it. He preferred “acceptance”.
2) He wondered why the panelists wouldn’t answer. He said that he didn’t appreciate that the panelists skirted the issue.
In response to that, Pastor Susan stood up to elaborate:
1) She agreed regarding the Hindu swami’s stance on tolerance but has come to accept it because it reflects the reality of the world today: where there is so little peace, we should aim for tolerance first then foster acceptance. She said that she has come to accept tolerance.
2) She believed questions like that should be asked in the public sphere to draw people’s attention to it. People can’t keep avoiding the issue because it will leave us behind in the world. We need to ask hard questions to progress in our minds and thinking.
She added that such questions, if answered, what benefit would it bring to the conversation that day? According to those who went, Susan spoke clearly and with conviction, and did not hesitate when offering her opinion on a sensitive topic. She also publicly thanked the organisers on behalf of Kechara… for organising the event and said it was encouraging to see so many people come.
I’m happy to see Pastor Susan share her opinions at this inter-faith gathering. Inter-faith gatherings are not meant to find differences among eachother’s faiths, but similarities in order to foster respect and genuine understanding. We all have to live in the world together and we all have our own faiths. It’s not feasible everyone belongs to one faith, but it is feasible everyone respects eachother’s beliefs….Many people were very impressed with Pastor Susan and came up to speak to her after the event. Yes, Pastor Susan is very knowledgable and patient.
As Pastor Susan a question here or contact her: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/ask-the-pastors
Do take a look at the photos below.
Tsem Rinpoche
Speakers from different faiths…
The different faiths that makes up One Malaysia.
Kechara Pastor Susan sharing from a Buddhist perspective.
A little sharing session after the event.
This gentleman, Dennis, came up to Pastor Susan and told her how what she shared was very clear. He also said that not many people could answer the sensitive question in the manner she did, and that he just wanted to come and tell her that. How nice of him.
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I have known Pastor Susan for many years even before she became a pastor. As a friend, I have the privilege to speak to her frequently on the varies aspects of Tibetan Buddhism. She speaks very clearly, with conviction, a lot of patience and care. Once we spoke until 7am in the morning and she probably has so many other things to do. I have stayed with her a few times over the past weeks and I see the testimony in her daily life, in her speech how she exhibit guru devotion and dharma practice (Buddhism is very new to me so I do not know all the correct terms to describe properly yet). She is definitely a role model for me. I hope she will continue to share her thoughts, give talks and benefit more people.
For me something as simple as sharing takes a lot of effort. I have come to learn recently that not sharing can also be a form of selfishness. I never write comments on blogs or anything before. Sharing in Rinpoche blog is the first for me and Pastor Susan is the one who encouraged me to do so.
Yes I am also not comfortable with the word tolerance as tolerance resulted in events like the Tutsi massacre and the meltdown in Yugoslavia. As tolerance we actually don’t want to accomodate but due to the law or some other factors we are forced to accommodate, hence we are suppressing what we actually want to do which is not to TOLERATE such a behaviour, person or creed. Acceptance is the way to go. I also agree in the absence of Acceptance, tolerance is next best option until one;s understanding and realisation leads them to real acceptance. With acceptance there is peace in one’s heart, with tolerance, we are suppressing what we actually would like to do or see happen.
Pastor Susan is indeed a very smart and knowledgeable person… just like our other Dharma brothers and sisters in Kechara. We are so proud of u, Pastor Susan!
I was there at this function with Pastor Susan and other Kecharians. Pastor spoke well and with confidence. Many in the crowd were happy Pastor Susan spoke up during the event.
I admire Pastor Susan very much as her Dharma knowledge is amazing! There’s a lot we all can learn from her. Pastor Susan’s sincerity is also very notable when she speaks. I hope to be able to learn more from her.
Thank you Pastor Susan being a good example for us to emulate!
i feel so glad that (finally), there are Buddhist pastors! i am not saying that the term ‘pastor’ is what that gladdens me so, but that the Buddhist pastors are helping to EFFECTIVELY bring Dharma closer to people, is truly wonderful! i believe many Buddhist groups have at some point in the past thought of training ‘lay Dharma speakers’; unfortunately nothing came about. So, i am so happy that Rinpoche did just that ~ Rinpoche is so wonderful – he really means it, and he make it come true. As for all the pastors, you are all absolutely fantastic,a great INSPIRATION!
Always have so much respect to all the pastors who take on more responsibilities to benefit others, Pastor Susan just done a great job.
I see her attending pujas in Kechara, giving talks, talking to people patiently and clearly, answer every questions even if the question been asked many times by different people.
She really go all the way to set a good example for us to follow her footsteps to spend life for others. Thank you so much Pastor Susan!!
All Kecharians must be very proud of Pastor Susan for being able to give such clear explanations and deep knowledge to the public. Pastor Susan is a walking example of the result of Rinpoche’s hardwork. She represents the tireless teachings that Rinpoche gave to all whether it’s personal or through all the online teachings available such as this blog and Rinpoche’s youtube. (http://www.youtube.com/tsemtulku).
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.
I truly admired Pastor Susan with the points she had delivered precisely and accurately that reach to the listeners’ mind with no reason to deny.
Pastor Susan is always well prepared in giving teaching, she is intellectual, and hard working. She always good in class teaching and public sharing. She has so much patience with students. Glad to see this blog. SIncerely thankyou pastor susan for your teaching.
The Kechara Pastors are the brainchild of H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche, and Susan was amongst the pioneer pastors who were ordained last year (http://blog.tsemtulku.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/kechara-13-depts/first-ever-buddhist-pastor-ordination.html). Pastor Susan is very eloquent and knowledgeable, patient and kind, all qualities which grew from working closely with Rinpoche. She is an excellent role model for the rest of us and i’m very proud of her. I look forward to see her participate in more events – both internal and external.
Pastor Susan is very intellectual, hard working and have so much dharma knowledge to share, she is definitely the right person to represent kechara for the yearly ‘World interfaith harmony week’ celebration. After the talk she was praised by a gentleman called Dennis for answering a sensitive question so well,we kecharians are very proud of you Pastor Susan!
Good job Kechara’s Pastor Susan! Love it when you are assertive and speak your mind. You have so much knowledge to share from years of teachings from Rinpoche and I am sure the audience was awed by your sharing.
It is good that David, another of our younger generation of Kecharians who is so eloquent and knowledgeable gets more and more invitation at such gatherings. Often when I am with friends from other organisations and we have a sharing session, I realise how much Rinpoche has taught us. We are so blessed.
I noticed Liaison Jean Ai, Wendy Loh and Phil Yong attended too. Good exposure for them!
This is great. It is rare to have someone who have the guts to stand up and ask a sensitive question in front of public, and also difficult to find someone who would answer such question so rationally, logically, clearly, calmly and humbly. If we learn up more and gain enough knowledge, we can do that too and help reduce confusion/doubt in people’s minds. Go go go Pastor Susan!
Way to go Pastor Susan !
Pastor Susan always has a smile and a kind word for everyone she meets.
I can never say thank you enough. thanks susan !