Links
Buddhist Organizations
Buddhanet - A vast information and education network of the Buddha Dharma Education Association.
DharmaNet International - Contains
information on centers and practice groups around the world, retreat
schedules, and numerous quality links to Buddhist and meditation related
sites. One of the oldest and most substantial Internet resources for
Buddhist study and practice.
Karmacino - The
aim of Karmacino is to provide open, user driven content relating to
Buddhism of all traditions, and also be accessible to non-Buddhists and
other people of other religions. Updated daily, there are categories of
News, Teachings, Science & Arts.
Meditation in Action - Website
of insight meditation teacher Shinzen Young. Issues related to
interreligious dialogue are treated in Q & A and Discussion Forum.
Naropa Institute - Naropa
University, Boulder CO, was founded by Chögyam Trungpa, Rinpoche, a
lineage holder of both the Kagyu and Nyingma Buddhist traditions. The
Naropa Institute sponsors conferences of Buddhist/Christian dialogue.
Sadhu - The
Sadhu! web site specialises in a Theravada Buddhism. It has an updated
Web Directory of Buddhist organisations, which is very useful resource
for Theravadin Buddhists.
Urban Dharma -- Buddhism in America for America - Offers
original articles and essays on Buddhism and archives related articles
by a variety of authors in a multi-yana format. Frequently addresses
interreligious issues.
Buddhist-Christian Organizations
European Network of Buddhist Christian Studies - The
aims of this network are to promote mutual understanding, practical
co-operation, study at academic level, interchange and friendship
between Christians and Buddhists in study and dialogue.
Los Angeles Buddhist Catholic Dialogue - Formed
in 1989 as an official, on-going, core group dialogue, and sponsored by
the Buddhist Sangha Council of Southern California and the Catholic
Office of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs of the Archdiocese of
Los Angeles.
Monks in the West - A gathering of Buddhist and Catholic monastic men to promote a sharing of inner life and training.
Nuns in the West - A gathering of Buddhist and Catholic nuns to investigate the cultivation of monastic spiritual values in the 'West.'
Society for Buddhist-Christian Studies - An
ongoing organization for those committed to study, reflection,
interchange and practice arising out of Buddhist-Christian encounter.
Catholic Documents
The Attitude of the Church towards Followers of Other Religions - To
foster the work of dialogue, Pope Paul VI set up in 1964 the
Secretariat for Non-Christians, subsequently renamed the Pontifical
Council for Interreligious Dialogue. Following its Plenary Assembly of
1984, the Secretariat issued a document entitled "The Attitude of the
Church Towards the Followers of Other Religions: Reflections and
Orientations on Dialogue and Mission." This document states that the
evangelizing mission of the Church is a "single but complex and
articulated reality." (NOTE: This document is available only in
Portuguese on the Vatican website.)
Dialogue
and Proclamation: Reflection and Orientations on Interreligious
Dialogue and the Proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. - A
joint document of the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Interreligious
Dialogue and the Congregation for Evangelization of Peoples issued in
1991.
Nostra Aetate - The Second Vatican Council's Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions (1965).
Pastoral Attention to Traditional Religions - A
1993 letter from the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue to
to the Presidents of Episcopal Conferences in Asia, the Americas and
Oceania.
Spiritual Resources of the Religions for Peace - Final
declaration of the participants in a symposium sponsored by the
Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue 16-18 January 2003.
Spirituality of Dialogue - A
letter from the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue to
Catholic Bishops' Conferences sharing reflections from its 1998 Pleanary
Assembly on the Spirituality of Dialogue and requesting their reaction
in view of an eventual document from the PCID.
Christian Monasteries
Benedictine - An Atlas of Benedictine monasteries of men and women throughout the world.
Cistercian/Trappist/Trappistine - An atlas of Cistercian monasteries of men and women throughout the world, plus numerous links to related websites.
Deir Mar Musa - The website of a Christian monastery in the Syrian desert devoted to work, prayer, and Islamic-Christian dialogue.
Christian Organizations
Alliance for International Monasticism - Serves
monastic communities of the Benedictine tradition throughout the world
to build up relationships between the monasteries of Africa, the
Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania.
Beit Benedict - Beit
Benedict, located within the Benedictine Dormition Abbey on Mt. Zion in
Jerusalem, is a place of encounter and prayer for people of all faiths
who seek peace.
Collegeville Institute for Ecumenical and Cultural Research - An
institute for scholars at Saint John's Abbey and University in
Collegeville MN to discern the meaning of Christian identity and unity
in a religiously and culturally diverse nation and world, and to
communicate that meaning for the mission of the church and the renewal
of human community.
Dialogue Interreligieux Monastique (DIM) - International
Committees of Benedictine and Cistercian monks and nuns for promoting
dialogue between monks of different religions and, more specifically, on
the level of spiritual experience.
East West Contemplative Dialogue - Fosters
dialogue between the Christian mystical tradition and Eastern forms of
meditation and enlightenment. Offers numerous on-line resources,
including complete books and video transcripts.
Empty Bell, a Contemplative Sanctuary - Dedicated
to learning about the history and practice of the Christian
contemplative way as rooted in the Gospels, and to exploring its common
ground with other ancient Wisdom teachings. Special attention is given
to the Christian-Buddhist dialogue, to artistic expression of spiritual
insight, and to the relationship between spirituality and stewardship of
the bio-diverse natural world.
Gratefulness.org - A
worldwide community dedicated to gratefulness as the core inspiration
for personal change, international cooperation, and sustainable activism
in areas of universal concern. Website includes a section devoted to
religious harmony.
Graymoor Ecumenical and Interreligious Institute - Promotes
Christian ecumenism and interreligious understanding through its
support of academic dialogue, research and publication.
Mercy Center, Burlingame, California - The
Meditation program at Mercy Center, was founded by Father Thomas Hand,
SJ, who combined Ignatian meditation/Christian contemplation with his
studies of Zen meditation. The special characteristics of the program
have always been its Christian foundation and influence from the East.
Mission and Interreligious Dialogue - Documentation,
reports, and interconnections on interreligious dialogue in the
ministries connected with the Jesuits in the United States.
Monastic Interfaith Dialogue Commission for Britain & Ireland (MID-GBI) - Monastic
Interfaith Dialogue Commission for Britain & Ireland (MID-GBI) is a
local commission of the ‘parent association’ of DIM (Dialogue
Interreligieuse Monastique) in Europe.
Nanzan Institute for Religion and Culture - Through
symposia, colloquia, research projects, and a wide array of
publications, this institute of Nanzan University (Nagoya, Japan) is
dedicated to promoting dialogue among religions, philosophies, and
cultures East and West.
NCCB/USCC Office of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs - A department of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Oasis - A
journal launched by Cardinal Angelo Scola of Venice to focus on
scholarly ties between Western Christians and the lands of the East,
particularly the Arabic world. It will be published in three bilingual
editions: Italian/Arabic, French/Arabic, and English/Arabic and will be
distributed in Europe, the Middle East, and sub-Saharan Africa.
Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue - The
special department of the Curia of the Roman Catholic Church for
relatons with the people of other religions. Instituted by Pope Paul IV
on Pentecost Sunday, 1964, it was known for its first 24 years as the
Secretariat for Non Christians.
Scarboro Missions Interfaith Dialogue - A helpful website from a Catholic religious order that regards interreligious dialogue as central to its mission.
WCC Interreligious Relations and Dialogue - The
World Council of Churches' team that seeks to encourage reflection on
religious plurality and its significance for Christian identity and
witness. The team also explores issues related to indigenous beliefs,
traditional spiritualities and new religious movements.
World Community for Christian Meditation - An
international organization that practices and teaches meditation in the
Christian tradition, recognizing that meditation is a universal
tradition found in all the great religions and offers an important
common ground for interreligious dialogue.
Ecumenical and Interfaith Organizations
Association for Interfaith Ministers - A
UK organization that furnishes information to the public about
interfaith ministry and the work of its members, provides a professional
framework within which to maintain high standards of conduct and
service by interfaith ministers, offers further training and development
for interfaith ministers, and maintains strong links with other
interfaith organisations
The Boxton Initiative - The
Buxton Initiative is a nonprofit organization seeking to build bridges
between Abrahamic faith communities through friendship and dialogue.
Cathedral Heritage Foundation - The
Cathedral Heritage Foundation is a catalyst for interfaith cooperation,
with a mission to promote interreligious understanding and the civic
role of the historic Cathedral of the Assumption in Louisville,
Kentucky.
Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions - The
Council exists to cultivate harmony among the world's religious and
spiritual communities and to foster their engagement with the world and
its other guiding institutions in order to achieve a peaceful, just, and
sustainable world.
The Elijah Interfaith Institute - A
multinational organization dedicated to fostering peace between the
world's diverse faith communities through interfaith dialogue,
education, research and dissemination. The organization brings together
world religious leaders and renowned scholars the world over, through
research projects, public conferences and community-based initiatives.
Illume - Illume
develops unique and innovative ecumenical and interfaith programs
bringing together people of different religious traditions to deepen
their knowledge of each others’ beliefs and practices in places of great
historical and religious significance.
Institute for Interreligious Intercultural Dialogue - The
purpose of the IIID is to promote dialogue in the broadest sense among
individuals and groups of different religions and cultures, focusing
especially though not exclusively on the "opinion-shapers" of society,
e.g., scholars, professionals, and institutional & business leaders.
This is accomplished through specialized organizations, consortia, and
institutes.
Interfaith Alliance - 150,000
members from more than 70 faith traditions and people of good will work
to promote democratic values, defend religious liberty, challenge
hatred and religious bigotry and reinvigorate informed civic
participation.
Interfaith Center for Peace - Responding
in faith to the wisdom of spiritual leaders throughout human history,
the Interfaith Center for Peace teaches people, by deed and example, how
to be peacemakers in their own places.
Interfaith Center of New York - A
secular educational organization whose mission is to make New York and
the world safe for religious difference by increasing respect, mutual
understanding and fellowship among citizens of diverse religious faiths,
and by fostering cooperation among religious communities and civic
organizations to solve common social problems.
Interfaith Dialogue Basics - A collection of significant texts on interreligious dialogue collected and made available by Lucien F. Cosijns of Belgium.
Interfaith Marketplace - Interfaith
Marketplace - Offers books, calendars, music, gifts, posters on
understanding world religions and spiritual traditions and on new ways
of creating a sense of community and cooperation among religions.
Interfaith Marketplace engages in research and development of new
interfaith resources for grassroots organizations.
International Interfaith Center - The
International Interfaith Centre promotes interreligious understanding
and co-operation between different faith communities and organisations
of religious or spiritual conviction.
Interreligious Coordinating Council in Israel - An
umbrella organization of over 70 Jewish, Muslim and Christian
institutions actively working towards interreligious and intercultural
understanding in Israel and the region.
Koinonia - A quarterly newsletter of the Paulist Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Office
North American Interfaith Network - The
North American Interfaith Network is a non-profit association of
interfaith organizations and agencies in Canada, Mexico and the United
States. NAIN's programs seek to build communication and mutual
understanding among interfaith organizations and diverse religious
groups throughout North America.
Pluralism Project - A
decade-long research project, with current funding from the Ford and
Rockefeller Foundations, to engage students in studying the new
religious diversity in the United States.
Reglions for Peace - The
World Conference of Religions for Peace is the largest international
coalition of representatives from the world's great religions who are
dedicated to achieving peace. Respecting cultural differences while
celebrating our common humanity, Religions for Peace is active on every
continent and in some of the most troubled places on earth, creating
multi-religious partnerships that mobilize the moral and social
resources of religious people to address their shared problems.
Religions for Peace - The
World Conference of Religions for Peace is the largest international
coalition of representatives from the world's great religions who are
dedicated to achieving peace. It is active on every continent and in
some of the most troubled places on earth, creating multi-religious
partnerships that mobilize the moral and social resources of religious
people to address their shared problems.
Religions in Renewal - A
site is dedicated to efforts by people all over the globe to renew
their religions or ideologies in such a way that in the future they will
be open to ongoing transformation while remaining solidly rooted in
what is essential in their past. Secondarily, it is a site to
demonstrate that no matter how different their faith-languages,
religions have much in common and can learn from one another.
Tantur Ecumenical Institute for Theological Studies - Among
the aims of this ecumenical institute situated between Jerusalem and
Bethlehem is the exploration of the relationships between Christians and
peoples of other world faiths, especially Jews and Muslims.
Temple of Understanding - A
global interfaith organization with NGO consultative status with the
United Nations Economic and Social Council. Promotes worldwide
interfaith dialogue and education in order to achieve understanding,
mutual respect, and coexistence among the people of the world's
religious and spiritual communities.
United Communities of Spirit - A
global interfaith network, linking people of diverse faiths and beliefs
who want to work with others to build a better world. The aim of United
Communities of Spirit is to promote awareness that all humanity is part
of the same spiritual family.
United Religious Initiative - Promotes
enduring, daily interfaith cooperation to end religiously motivated
violence and to create cultures of peace, justice and healing for the
Earth and all living beings.
General Resources
BeliefNet - Self
described as “a multi-faith e-community designed to help you meet your
own religious and spiritual needs -- in an interesting, captivating and
engaging way.”
Fetzer Institute - Fosters
awareness of the power of love and forgiveness to address the critical
issues facing the world. Current work includes research and education
programs on altruistic love, compassionate love, and forgiveness.
Inner Directions Foundation - A
nonprofit organization dedicated to communicating the immediacy of the
nondualistic ground from which religions and spiritual traditions arise.
Its publications and programs are meant to provide an authentic
expression of nondual wisdom, in the spirit of self-inquiry.
Inner Explorations - Where
Christian mysticism, theology and metaphysics meet Eastern religions,
Jungian psychology and a new sense of the earth. More than 500 web
pages, 2,500 pages of text, and 1,000 images
MID Archives - In
the summer of 2005 the archives of MID were transferred from the
Monastery of Saint Benedict in Saint Joseph Minnesota to Notre Dame
University in Indiana. This website lists the contents of the archives.
Monastery Greetings - A
website and catalog that sells only products from monasteries,
religious communities and hermitages. MID publications and back issues
of the printed Bulletin can be found by clicking on "Monastic Dialog" in
the sidebar.
Network for Good - A
nonprofit organization that connects individuals with their favorite
charities. Network for Good is the place to make secure online
donations, explore volunteer opportunities, and learn more about the
causes that matter most.
Spiritual Books Catalog - Doorway to the best spiritual books from almost 200 different publishers.
World Scripture Archive - World
Scripture contains over 4000 scriptural passages from 268 sacred texts
and 55 oral traditions. It is organized in terms of 164 different themes
common to all traditions. The text is the result of a five-year project
involving the collaboration of an international team of 40 recognized
scholars representing all the major religions of the world.
Hindu Organizations
Vedanta Society of Southern California - Based
on the Vedas, the sacred scriptures of India, Vedanta (the
philosophical foundation of Hinduism) affirms the oneness of existence,
the divinity of the soul, and the harmony of religions.
Hindu-Christian Organizations
Society for Hindu-Christian Studies - The
Society is dedicated to the study of Hinduism and Christianity and
their interrelationships. It seeks to create a forum for the
presentation of historical research and studies of contemporary
practice, for the fostering of dialogue and interreligious conversation,
carried forward in a spirit of openness, respect and true inquiry.
Sri Gnanananda Nama Sankirtana Mandali - The
main objectives of the society are to spread and to develop the
knowledge of Hindu philosophy as taught by the society's Gurus; to
introduce the spiritual path of Guru Bhakti; to conduct bhajans, poojas,
spiritual discourses and lectures; and to introduce the philosophical
teaching of Guru Bhakti through the publication of books, leaflets, and
other media.
Islamic Documents
A Common Word between Us and You - The
official website of a letter addressed by a wide array of Muslim
scholars to Pope Benedict XVI and other Christian leaders on October 13,
2007. It highlights the foundational principles of both faiths--love of
the one God and love of neighbor--and insists that these shared
fundamental convictions compel us to work together for justice and peace
in the world. The website includes Christian responses to the letter.
Islamic Studies - Resources for Studying Islam and the Diverse Perspectives of Muslims
Muhammad's Charter to Monks of Saint Catherine's Monastery - An
English translation of a Charter of Privileges to the monks of St.
Catherine Monastery in Mt. Sinai granted by the Prophet Muhammad in 628
C.E.
Islamic Organizations
Dar Al Islam - An
American non-profit educational organization incorporated in New Mexico
in 1979. Its main objective is the presentation of Islam to the people
of North America from the primary sources as understood and interpreted
by God-fearing scholars of Islam through out the ages. A simultaneous
objective has been a demonstration and education about effective ways of
living Islam and being Muslims in North Ame
Islamic Society of North America - ISNA
is an association of Muslim organizations and individuals that provides
a common platform for presenting Islam, supporting Muslim communities,
developing educational, social and outreach programs and fostering good
relations with other religious communities, and civic and service
organizations.
Islamicity - A great resource for all things Islam, both the basics of the religion and what's going on in Islam today.
Royal Institute for Interfaith Studies - Originally
established to provide a venue in the Arab world for the
interdisciplinary study and rational discussion of religion and
religious issues, with particular reference to Christianity in Arab and
Islamic society, RIIFS has recently broadened its focus to include all
issues pertaining to religious, cultural and civilizational diversity,
regionally and globally.
Rumi Forum for Interfaith Dialogue - Founded
in 1999 to foster interfaith and intercultural dialogue, to provide a
platform for education and information exchange, and to create a global
"meeting place of peoples" that promotes dialogue, tolerance, and
reconciliation among all.
Zaytuna Institute and Academcy - The
mission of Zaytuna is to provide the highest quality educational
programs, materials, and training in the traditional sciences of Islam
in the most beautiful way using the most effective tools of our time as a
means of serving its Lord and honoring its Prophet,
Islamic-Christian Organizations
Bernardin Center - The
Catholic-Muslim Studies Program of the Center is dedicated to building
bridges of mutual understanding and profound respect between Muslims and
Christians
The Macdonald Center - The
Website of the Macdonald Center for the Study of Islam and
Christian-Muslim Relations, the country’s oldest center for such study.
The Macdonald Center is committed to the premise that through intensive
study and academically guided dialogue, mutual respect and cooperation
between Muslims and Christians can and must develop.
Jewish Practitioners
Jewish Contemplatives - The
weblog of a Progressive Jew living a solitary contemplative lifestyle
in Europe. It consists of a short online book called "The Cave of the
Heart" and a regularly updated monthly "Reflection." Its aim is to
provoke discussion on contemplative lifestyles in Judaism and to reach
out to other "Jewish Contemplatives" via the internet.
Miscellaneous
Truth Contest - A
contest to find and spread the truth about life and death, the ultimate
truth. Give us some truth. You may represent religion, philosophy,
science, or yourself.
Philosophers/Thinkers
Carl W. Ernst - The
website of Carl W. Ernst, a specialist in Islamic studies, with a focus
on West and South Asia. His published research, based on the study of
Arabic, Persian, and Urdu, has been mainly devoted to the study of Islam
and Sufism.
Pioneers and Teachers of Interreligious Dialogue
Aelred Graham - Brief biography.
Bede Griffiths - Biography,
articles, book reviews, meditations and the Bede Griffiths Trust, an
association for the renewal of the contemplative life.
Henri Le Saux (Swami Abhishiktananda) - Biography, texts, photo gallery, bibliography, and Abihishiktanda Society.
Hugo Enomiya-Lassalle, SJ - Afticles by Dr.Ursula Baatz (in Germand and English) dealing with the life and work of a Catholic Zen master.
Jules Monchanin - French website dealing with the life and work of Jules Monchanin and Henri Le Saux.
Raimon Panikkar - A
presentaion given by Gerard Hall, SM, at the 2003 Conference of the
Australian Association for the Study of Religions summarizing and
assessing Panikkar’s contribution to contemporary thinking on
multi-faith dialogue and religious pluralism.
Ramon Panikkar - A website devoted primarily to the biography and works of Ramon Panikkar.
Thomas Merton Internet Bibliography - Comprehensive directory of links to on-line writings of Thomas Merton, Thomas Merton organizations, websites, etc.
Research tools
Buddhist-Christian Studies Database - The
Buddhist-Christian Studies Database (BCSD) contains citations to
articles, essays, books, and dissertations about the historical and
contemporary encounter between the Buddhist and Christian traditions.
Website by Booklight, Inc. Copyright © 2012, Monastic Dialogue
Link Categories
- Academic programs
- Buddhist Organizations
- Buddhist-Christian Organizations
- Catholic Documents
- Christian Monasteries
- Christian Organizations
- Ecumenical and Interfaith Organizations
- General Resources
- Hindu Organizations
- Hindu-Christian Organizations
- Islamic Documents
- Islamic Organizations
- Islamic-Christian Organizations
- Jewish Practitioners
- Miscellaneous
- Philosophers/Thinkers
- Pioneers and Teachers of Interreligious Dialogue
- Research tools