Pacifica Institute has hosted community members and local city officials on Friday, July 26th at Sunnyvale branch for Ramadan iftar dinner.
The interfaith guests included Chung Tai Zen Center of Sunnyvale, Dharma Masters (monks) Venerable Jian Ying, Abbot, Chung Tai Zen Center of Sunnyvale and Venerable Jian Zong, Docent Director, Chung Tai Zen Center of Sunnyvale with 13 members and Rabbi Elisheva Salamo with members from Jewish congregation Keddem of Palo Alto. In addition, Assemblyman Rich Gordon, Sheriff Laurie Smith, Mayor of Milpitas Jose Esteves, San Jose Councilmember Sam Liccardo and Santa Clara Fire Chief John Justice and his family were part of the great evening.
The event started out with video of Pacifica Institute. Shifu Jian Ying made the opening remarks and the meal prayer. In his brief remarks, Venerable Jian Ying noted that believers from all faiths need to take the lead to work together and interfaith harmony makes world peace possible. Fasting is not just refraining from eating or drinking; it is also the purification of our thoughts and actions, mentally, verbally, and physically. In the Buddhist practice, members partake in a meal, and contemplate on the offering of this meal as the fruit of countless work and care, they reflect on conduct and cultivation, and accept the meal only for nourishment and with gratitude. JianYing Shifu then chanted the Buddhist Blessing of the Meal in Chinese, which in English says “May both the offerer and the receiver obtain the five benefits: health, strength, longevity, peace, and perfect eloquence.”
This evenings gathering contributes to intercultural dialogue by promoting cross cultural awareness. Pacifica Institute events help the attendees find out how close and similar we are than how different we make it out to be. Mayor of Milpitas Mr. Jose Esteves made a comment regarding the members of Pacifica Institute that he mostly likes how we interact with different ethnic groups and we use our hearts to understand each other rather than our minds. This evening and similar occasions facilitates positive interactions between Turkish community and other local communities. Rabi Elisheva ended the evening with closing remarks and a beautiful song.
The director of Pacifica Institute Mr. Mahmut Altun would like to thank the guests for coming and all the efforts put to make this evening a success. We look forward to your attendance at our next event.
