KingNewsWire – The Transcendence International Interfaith Forum (FIIT) took a major step forward in its mission to foster interfaith dialogue and spiritual understanding at its inaugural Symposium on Reflection and Spirituality, held at the Phi Campus, a nature-friendly and sustainable environment that has become a space for sharing ideas. The conference brought together representatives from various faith traditions to share their perspectives on faith, coexistence, and the role of spirituality in daily life.
The President of the FIIT and PHI Foundation, HE Pujya Swami Rameshwarananda Giri Maharaja was the host and organizer of these meetings, which were attended by leaders and representatives of different religious traditions present in Spain. Among the members of the FIIT were the Carmelite Sisters of Charity of Vedruna, Gracia Gil and Rosa Orti of Catholic Christianity, as well as Amparo Navarro of the Jesuit Migrant Service. Isaac Sananès participated for Judaism; Pandit Krishna Kripa Dasa (who also presented his latest book), Swamini Dayananda Giri, and Swami Rameshwarananda himself took care of Hinduism; and Elisabeth Gayán (for Brahma Kumaris).
Additionally, a representative of Islam, Sheikh Mansour Mota participated virtually. Also present were representatives of traditions that have recently joined the Transcendence Forum this year. Representing Protestantism was Francisco Javier Piquer; Clarisa Nieva and José Toribio represented the Bahá’í Faith; Armando Lozano represented the Unification Church; and from the Church of Scientology, Ivan Arjona Pelado was present.
In this context, Ivan Arjona, who is the Representative of Scientology to the European Union and the United Nations, had the opportunity, like the other participants, to provide a more detailed overview of the foundations of his faith. Ivan Arjona’s recent inclusion as a member of the Transcendence Forum is a clear indicator of Transcendence and Scientology’s commitment to actively engage in interfaith dialogue, increasing the number of interfaith forums in which Scientologists participate worldwide. The Transcendence Forum aims to create a space where diverse faiths can coexist and dialogue to promote a sense of unity and collaboration. At the conference, Arjona gave a lecture focusing on the concept of freedom, a fundamental tenet of Scientology’s religious doctrine.
Drawing on the Church of Scientology Creed and L. Ron Hubbard’s “Prayer for Total Freedom,” Arjona emphasized the importance of individual freedom and personal responsibility in one’s spiritual journey. Arjona’s presentation not only illuminated Scientology’s perspective on freedom, but also gave attendees the opportunity to consider how these concepts apply to their own beliefs, as each tradition is able to express its vision of freedom according to its scriptures.
This openness to dialogue provided by Campus Phi fostered an atmosphere in which participants felt comfortable sharing their personal experiences, enriching the exchange and fostering a climate of respect and curiosity. Arjona was able to explain the principles of his religion in a clear and understandable way, which helped create this atmosphere, transforming the discussions into a true intercultural dialogue that broke down walls and myths.
In one of the highlights of the conference, Arjona participated in a session dedicated to religious readings and personal reflection. There was an opportunity to read excerpts from “The Way to Happiness,” a book that presents a moral code based on reason and logic. He specifically selected the chapters “Respecting the Religious Beliefs of Others” and “Flourish and Prosper,” which not only reflect the values of Scientology, but also establish a framework for peaceful coexistence between different religions.
These meetings allowed participants to delve into the philosophies of various religious traditions and explore how these principles might be applied in their own lives. Participants, who came from different religious traditions such as different branches of Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Baha’i and Scientology, demonstrated a genuine interest in understanding the foundations of each other’s faith directly from their sources.
“Interreligious dialogue goes beyond the exchange of beliefs; it also seeks to identify common ground that can serve as a basis for collaboration in social and community initiatives,” said Ivan Arjona-Pelado.
In an increasingly turbulent world, moments dedicated to reflection and spirituality are not only an opportunity to explore differences, but also prove to be fertile ground to foster unity and hope for a future where interfaith collaboration is common. These first meetings of the Transcendence Forum “were a success for all participants and mainly thanks to the team of Fundación Phi and the monastic order of the Vedantic Center that accompanied us at all times,” says Arjona, “establishing a more solid foundation for a deeper and more relevant dialogue between the various faiths.”
Originally published in The European Times.
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