Good morning everyone.

Last Thursday night, I went to the Downtown Hyatt Hotel to attend an interfaith religious event. It was hosted by an organization called GCC, Global Cultural Connections. About a month ago, one of the GCC members came to our Betsuin to ask if someone might be able to attend their event.

He also said “at our event, we will serve dinner for everyone.” I replied “oh, ya? OK. I would like to attend your event.”

Last Thursday, Michi took me to the hotel, because we thought it might be difficult to find parking around the capital park. When I reached the meeting room where they were having the event, many religious leaders were already there talking with each other.

The event receptionist gave me a name tag and a small leaflet. My seat was at Table no. 4. There were Christian, Catholic and Islamic leaders and also a professor from Sacramento State university. I sat next to two Islam leaders, they were husband and wife.

I was nervous because I have never talked with any Islamic leaders. And I was not sure how I should behave with them. So, I first just said “Hi. How are you? My name is Kaz from the Buddhist church.” And the husband said “my name is Taner and this is my wife Esla”.

Although I was invited as a guest, I did not know what kind of organization GCC was. So, I asked Taner “what is the GCC?”

He said “well… GCC Global Cultural Connections was established by Turkish Islamic people who wanted to organize interfaith events in the United States. We also hold this event in Orange county and Los Angeles. We try to introduce our religion and culture to those who are not familiar with Islam”.

I felt that they were a very kind and peaceful people. And another Islamic leader said to me “we try to create world peace, although some of followers of Islam are committed to war.”

Sometimes we too easily feel that “some organizations or companies have negative images, because some of their members or workers behaved badly.” We may develop fixed negative ideas about those organizations and companies.

But I think we should try to have an open mind. I think that within every tradition, there are people who are gentle… and kind… and seeking world peace.

They gave me this book “the Muslim world” I started to read this, because maybe I can have a class examining the comparative teachings between our Jodo Shinshu and Islam.

Their interfaith event was well done. The guest speakers gave wonderful speeches and the hotel served delicious food. If they have this event again, I would be happy to attend to meet new people from different parts of the world and to discuss our current world conditions...

Just as the kindness, these Islamic leaders represented a desire for peace within the Islamic tradition to me, all of us also represent Buddhism to so many who know very little about our tradition. Let us all try to represent the Dharma as best we can.

Gassho