Canterbury Interfaith Sharing the Meaning of Compassion

On 22nd November, 2016 Canterbury Interfaith Society (CIS) had organised the final sharing session for year 2016 at Latter Day Saints (LDS) Church Kirkwood avenue. Various faith representative had attended the session such as Buddhism, Catholicism, Christianity, Baha’i and etc. BLIA South Island Vice President, James Low had attended the session too. This session theme, “Compassion” was shared by LDS Church, Sister Shirley Johnson. Sister Johnson, whom were born in the United States, has learned humorously that compassion does not limited to religion but it is the nature in every human being.

Sister Johnson mentioned that compassion is sometimes being misinterpreted as if it was a remedy, sympathy for one another without the attempt to understand the real feelings of the victim and normally plan to leave without showing the true meaning of compassion. She expressed that compassion had four main points; One (1), Leave aside personal prejudices; Two (2), Do not imposed personal judgement onto another person; Three (3), Understand personally the feelings of other; Four (4), Willingness to accompany each other and feels the feelings of one another. Compassion could not have any distinction between giving and receiving but it should be equally aware of one another. At present, compassion does not required a reason or language to comfort each other but an eye contact with a sincere hug may embrace each other instead. Sister mentioned that compassion could be found even in babies such as nursery room in the hospital, when a baby hear the neighbouring baby cries, they will cries too. These reaction slowly disappears when the baby grows up with own preferences being identified.

Sister also group all the attendees and arranged them into a group of two each to conduct a short test. Each group member has to stare at each other’s eye for two minutes to communicate through their heart instead of mouth. The attendees shared their experience of the short test on communicating saying that it started with an awkward moment, but soon after, their heart slowly open with willingness to try to understand each other or feels their own problem.

James Low expressed his thankfulness for the sharing session and realised his own indifference and apathy. He is grateful that he could uses his current ability to change and cultivate the Bodhisattvas and Buddhas’s compassion.

The attendees also assisted in gift wrapping for Veteran homes in December. President Jenafor had announced the upcoming activities to the attendees. Later in the evening, the attendees had a Christmas gift exchange session as an ending of the wonderful sharing session.