April Dialogue: Celebrating with the Hindu Community (4/3)

The next BIC dialogue will be held at 6:30 pm on Thursday, April 3, in the Cooper Room of the Brookings Public Library. It will be hosted by the Hindu community, whose members invite the public to celebrate with them the birthday of Lord Rama as well as New Year 2071, both of which fall around this time.

Members of the Hindu community will describe the significance of these holidays and also answer questions about their faith. The discussion will take place after a vegetarian meal they have prepared.

Dr. Chandradhar Dwivedi, priest of the local Hindu community and member of the BIC planning team, explains that "Lord Rama was the seventh incarnation (or avatar) of Lord Vishnu, the God for preservation in the Hindu Trinity. Lord Vishnu incarnated as Rama to destroy the demon Ravan and his evil forces at that time."

Hindus worship for eight days leading up to Lord Rama's birthday, known as Ramanavami. They then celebrate Ramanavami with special festivities "on the ninth day of the bright fortnight of the Hindu month Chaitra" (March-April).

On April 3 BIC will also help celebrate the Hindu New Year, which is based on the lunar calendar Vikram Samvat. That calendar was established in 57 BCE by King Vikramaditya of Ujjain. Though there are regional differences within India, many Hindus mark the start of the New Year "on the first day of the bright fortnight of the Hindu month Chaitra" (March-April).

Vikram Samvat 2071 will be March 31, 2014, on the Western calendar.

Both of these celebrations--Ramanavami and the Hindu New Year--are usually observed with special prayers and feasting with family, relatives and friends.

Please share in this auspicious celebration and learn more about the Hindu faith. Once again, a vegetarian meal will be provided by the Hindu community. Bring your good will, kindly heart, listening ears, and questions!

February 19: "Interfaith Dialogue in Our Campus Community"

Our next event, co-sponsored by the Brookings Interfaith Council, SDSU Interfaith Council, and the Office of the Dean of Students, will be held February 19, 2014, at South Dakota State University. Details are in the poster below. This will be an important opportunity for students to share their perspectives and experiences as persons either of faith or non-faith on campus.

Despite our usual custom, this event will not include a potluck meal, due to factors beyond our control. Please eat dinner before you come.

January Dialogue: "What Do You Want to Know about Christianity?"

The Brookings Interfaith Council will next meet at 6:30 pm on January 23, 2014, at the Islamic Society of Brookings (724 11th Avenue). Join us for a potluck, followed by discussion around "What Do You Want to Know about Christianity?"

This will be a special opportunity for non-Christians to ask Christians questions about Christianity. What have you wanted to know about the Christian faith but never had the opportunity to ask (or been afraid to)? Here are some sample questions that might help you identify your own:

• What is the Christian view of the Bible?
• What are denominations? 
• What is baptism?
• Do all Christians think Jesus was God?
• How do Christians regard non-Christians?
• What is communion?
• How do Christians account for the presence of evil and suffering in God's world?
• What does it mean to be a Christian?
• Is the United States a Christian nation?
• What is the crucifixion? The resurrection? The ascension?
• Is Christianity a religion of peace? Are Christians nonviolent?
• What is an "evangelical Christian"?
• What kind of God do Christians believe in?
• What are the major Christian holidays?
• Who leads the church? Who has authority?
• What do Christians believe happens after death?
• What is salvation?

Bring a dish to share if you're able, or just bring yourself and a friend. Table service will be provided.

Come to "Festivals of Faith & Light"

The Brookings Interfaith Council invites you to "Festivals of Faith & Light," a lively celebration of the significance of "light" across faith traditions and especially during special religious days or seasons. Light is essential to the Christian observance of Advent and Christmas, Judaism's Chanukah, Hinduism's Diwali, and more.

"Festivals of Faith & Light" will be held on Thursday, December 5, at 6:30pm in the Cooper Room of the Brookings Public Library. It will include a potluck of traditional festive or holiday foods and the sharing of interfaith stories about light.

In advance of this event, we also want to encourage you to attend the first public lighting of a menorah in Brookings, in observance of Chanukah. The menorah-lighting will be held on Wednesday, December 4, at 6:30pm, on Main Street next to Nick's Hamburgers. Come if you can to learn more about the Jewish faith and to support Jewish members of our community.

Then, at our event on Thursday night, please bring one of your favorite holiday dishes to pass, if you're able, or just show up. And invite a friend! We look forward to your presence at this festive gathering.

You're Invited to the City's First Public Menorah Lighting

The Brookings Interfaith Council heartily encourages you to attend this significant event.

 

Reminder: Campus Discussion of the "Three Religions of the Book"

Just a reminder that South Dakota State's Briggs Library will host a program and discussion on understanding Judaism, Christianity and Islam (the three "religions of the book") on Tuesday, November 19, at 7:00 pm, in the Archives and Special Collection Room on the second floor. 

This program will focus on the book Children of Abraham by F.E. Peters. Humanities scholar Ahrar Ahmad, Professor of Political Science at Black Hills State University, will introduce the topic and lead the discussion.

Briggs Library has copies of the book available on reserve for two-week check-out, and copies are also available at the Brookings Public Library.

This event is made possible by the South Dakota Humanities Council, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Join Us for a Potluck & Film Next Wednesday

The Brookings Interfaith Council will join with the Common Good Film Series to screen "The Cup," an award-winning feature film, on Wednesday, November 20, at the Brookings Public Library.

The evening will begin with a potluck at 6:30pm, as is our tradition. Bring a dish to pass if you are able, or just show up.The film will then be shown starting around 6:50. Discussion will follow for all who wish to participate.

This is a humorous and wise film. Prayer, meditation, rituals—soccer? World Cup soccer fever sweeps into a remote Himalayan monastery, and centuries-old traditions are threatened. The young monks will do just about anything to watch the final match, posing a unique challenge to the venerable lamas in charge. An inspiring tale of colliding cultures, midnight escapades and daring secret plots. A true story, filmed on location at Chokling Monastery, India, this award-winning film was made by Bhutanese filmmaker Khyentse Norbu, who is also one of the most important incarnate lamas in contemporary Tibetan Buddhism.

You can view a trailer of "The Cup" here.