The Rev. Dr. Gwynne Guibord worked with Dr. Tony Kireopoulos, Associate General Secretary of the National Council of Churches (NCC) and both the Buddhist and the Hindu communities to facilitate national dialogues between each and the Christian community as represented by the NCC. The 38 NCC member denominations represent 38 – 40 million Christians in the US.

Hindu-Christian Dialogues

Drs. Guibord and Kireopoulos met with The Guibord Center (TGC) Advisor, Swami Sarvadevananda and TGC Board Member, Dr. Rini Ghosh, along with colleagues at the Vedanta Society of Southern California’s Hollywood Temple. There they shared in theological conversation and both Swami and Dr. Ghosh agreed to become the co-conveners responsible for inviting various Hindu communities to the Hindu-Christian Dialogue.

Buddhist-Christian Dialogues

Drs. Guibord and Kireopoulos also met with Venerable You Heng, representing Venerable Abbot Hui Dong of Fo Guang Shan Hsi Lai Buddhist Temple, to explore the Abbot and Ven. You Heng serving as co-conveners for the Buddhist community. The Abbot agreed that they would do so for the Buddhist-Christian Dialogue.

These dialogues “will focus on both theological matters (what motivates us) and justice-related issues (what concerns us). Topics discussed may be pressing issues that concern our communities both in the US and internationally. Ultimately, the aim of the dialogue is to build on what the communities find they have in common and work together for better understanding of one another and to promote social justice.”

The Guibord Center is grateful to be able to play a key role in joining with the NCC to bring these communities together to challenge assumptions, unleash the Holy within their traditions, and together affirm the faith that all people of faith share that inspires them to make the world a more caring and compassionate place.