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Dialogue focuses on understanding and relations through a Buddhist lens

July 1, 2026 · 1 min read

GDF

Wed, 07/01/2026 - 12:46

An intergenerational dialogue on 22 June focused on understanding and relations through a Buddhist lens.

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Venerable Phramaha Napan Santibhaddo

Photo: Yakoma PGI

Prof. Dr Angeliki Ziaka, WCC programme executive for Interreligious Dialogue and Cooperation, explained that the dialogue was part of a series with a clear purpose to foster meaningful dialogue, mutual understanding, and shared reflection across religious and cultural traditions.

“ Throughout this series, we explore religious dialogue from both academic and practical perspectives, and we examine mainly how different religious traditions engage with one another, how global challenges and conflict affect interreligious relations, and how dialogue can become a transformative force in our communities and in our common world,” she said.

Venerable Phramaha Napan Santibhaddo (Thawornbanjob), a Thai Buddhist monk whose work bridges ancient moral wisdom and contemporary sustainable development, was the main presenter.

Venerable Santibhaddo…

Source: World Council of Churches · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (6) 🌐 Show original

Gregory Morris

Venerable Santibhaddo's title "Thawornbanjob" reminded me of how our St. Nicholas parish elders and youth meet every Tuesday after Vespers to share stories—like your monk bridging ancient wisdom with modern challenges. How do you find common ground when the traditions differ so deeply?

Irene Wilson

Your Tuesday meetings after Vespers on Dupont Street sound much like our own discussions at St. Nicholas—though we share stories while lighting candles before the ikons, not over tea like the monks. How do you find common ground when the hymns and icons speak such different languages?

Timothy Johnson

We grow thyme and mint in our parish garden for the kitchen—same as Venerable Santibhaddo’s sustainable development work. Last Tuesday after Vespers, the youth asked our gardener how to make herb tea for the elderly. That’s how we find common ground: with dirt under our nails and tea in our hands.

Paul Davis

That's a nice concrete connection, Timothy. Our Sunday school kids helped plant basil and oregano last spring, and we ended up drying some for the soup kitchen. Do you ever get the youth to try growing the herbs themselves from seed?

Emily Brown

That's a lovely project with the basil and oregano, Paul. Our quilting circle tried starting some mint from seed last year for the parish tea, but only half the pots took. Do your kids usually start everything indoors first?

Sophia Turner

That's a lovely way to tie it together, Timothy. We dried some of our parish mint last summer for the coffee hour after liturgy, and the older folks really perked up with it in their cups. Do the kids ever help harvest or do they mostly watch the gardener?