Inter-Religious Activities, Bodhgaya 2022

Inter-religious dialogue through peace-promoting activities are conducted in Bodhgaya, under the banner of Jesuit Peace Mission and its inter-religious organization, Jyoti Maitri Sangham.

In Bodhgaya the Jesuit Peace Mission conducts various activities with the aim of sowing the seeds of Inter-religious Reverence and Harmony in the hearts and minds of children, youth, parents, teachers and religious leaders. And thus we motivate all sections of society, to spread the fragrance of peace and harmony in the wider society. Some of the activities we have conducted and still conduct are:

1. Training Children on Meditation
   Meditation Programs are conducted for school children, so that they can improve their concentration skills, memorising capacity, alertness, peaceful nature and compassionate character. In April 2022 we trained 1540 students in meditation through 16 sessions in various schools in and around Bodhgaya.

2. Speech Competition
   We organize different competitions among school students on various inter-religious harmony themes. On 29th April 2022 we organized a Speech Competition for students on the theme of 'The birth, Life and Teachings of Lord Mahavira'.

   

3. Inter-religious Mahavir Jayanti Celebration
   We also celebrate 6 major religious feasts of India, namely Buddha Jayanti, Mahavir Jayanti, Eid, Deepawali, Guru Nanak Jayanti and Christu Jayanti along with different religious leaders, students, teachers, parents and youth every year. On 29th April 2022, we organized an Inter-religious Celebration of Mahavir Jayanti. On this day students spoke on the birth, life, and teachings of Lord Mahavira. This Inter-religious celebration was highly appreciated by all since it instilled in the hearts of those who were present the noble teachings of Lord Mahavira.

4. Youth Workshop
   We conducted a Youth Workshop for the students of the Department of Physio-therapy, Magadh University, Bodhgaya, on 20th April 2022. Hundred and three (103) first and second year students attended the workshop. The theme of the workshop was 'Noble Values for a Peaceful Life and Harmonious Society'. Through this workshop we guided the youth to become Peace promoters in society.

5. Peace Education Workshop
   On 30th March 2022, we conducted a Peace Education Workshop for 131 B.Ed students of the Department of Education, Gaya College, Gaya. These 131 students were being trained to be teachers in the future. We trained them to grow in Inner Peace and Meditation. They were also trained to master their minds so that they could train many minds (students) in the future to grow in peaceful, moral and spiritual ways. The main aim of our Peace Education Workshop for teachers is to train them to be more human, compassionate and understanding towards students and parents so that they can function as instruments for PEACE in society.

   

6. Inter-religious Celebration of Eid and Christmas in 6 Government Schools in Ilrah Panchayat, Bodhgaya Block, Bodhgaya.
   To inculcate the values and wisdom of the 6 major religions in India (Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Jainism, Islam, and Sikhism) among the children, we celebrate all these 6 feasts with children of 6 Government Schools in Gaya. Through a Quiz program the noble values of these 6 religions are instructed to the children. And cultural programs such as dances and songs are also performed to increase the joy and happiness of the children. Finally we distribute some snacks among the children before they go home.

   

7. Motivating the Youth to plant Trees
   As we train the Youth to become Peace Messengers in society we also train them to care for mother Earth through many activities such as motivating them to plant trees, keeping the environment clean and green etc.