Many faiths find harmony as Buddhist monks visit Toledo, share blessings

Service at Methodist church emphasizes tolerance, peace

U.S.-born Venerable Jangchub Chophel, center, speaks with Ben Travis in Maumee as another Buddhist monk looks on. ( THE BLADE/JEREMY WADSWORTH )

Wearing saffron-and-maroon-colored robes with crested shamo hats, seven Tibetan Buddhist monks stood in a line before a Christian altar and harmonized a complex, ancient chant during a multifaith gathering in Toledo Thursday night. The monks’ multitoned throat chants, ranging from rumbling bass notes to soaring high-pitched tones, were accompanied by a symbolic “bathing ritual,” in which water that had been transformed into “radiant, blissful nectar” was poured into a bowl from a peacock feather-topped pot. “We called forth the bodhisattvas [enlightened ones] and asked them for a blessing for all the people here and the prayers that were offered tonight,” said Venerable Jangchub Chophel, the lone American-born monk in the touring group from a Tibetan Buddhist monastery in India. The inclusive prayer-chants were a fitting send-off for the 150 or so people who were treated to prayers, readings, music, dance, stories, information, and even a puppet show from seven religious groups – Baha’is, Unitarian Universalists, Christians, Hindus, Muslims, Sufis, and Buddhists. The service at Monroe Street United Methodist Church was titled “World Peace and the Unity of All Religions: A Multi-Faith Gathering.” “It doesn’t mean everybody believes the same thing, but we can all sit down and talk,” said Paula Massey, a local Buddhist who helped arrange the six-day visit by monks from the Gaden Shartse Monastery in southern India.The multifaith event was in the spacious sanctuary of Monroe Street UMC, a central-city church whose roots date to circuit-riding preachers in 1825.

Baha’i was the first faith in the service, with Jennifer Hill and Shamsi Modarai reading sacred texts and explaining that the religion was founded in the early 19th century by a Persian-born nobleman known as Baha’u'llah, “glory of God” in Arabic. The Rev. Lynn Kerr, pastor of First Unitarian Church of Toledo, cited writings by Dana McLean Greeley, first president of the Unitarian Universalist Association, in which he credited missionary doctor Albert Schweitzer for his “reverence for life.” Fifteen members of The Gathering, a First Unitarian musical group, sang two songs, including “Ours Is a Simple Faith,” which states, “There is no hell to fear, no Judgment Day drawing near.” A monk in the front pew took photos with a digital camera. The Rev. Karen Shepler, pastor of the host church on Monroe Street, told two allegorical stories that concluded that the best way to spread Christianity is by living out its message. “If they see you living out your religion, hopefully they will follow,” she said. Susheelabai Srinivasa, Rama Katrapati, and Prasunna Konneru described Hinduism as “a way of life, a discipline easy to fall in line,” and the three women sang a Hindu song. Representing Sufism, Judy Trautman led a Dance of Universal Peace on the song “A Fish in the Water Is Not Thirsty.” Audience members performed hand gestures and turned in circles. An innovative view of Islam was offered by Sayedah Rashad, 13, who led a three-person puppet show she wrote titled “Can’t We All Get Along.” Her puppet character answered questions from the other puppets, such as why Muslim women wear head scarves (we are taught to be modest) and why Muslims fast during Ramadan (it has nothing to do with running faster, she joked). The Buddhist monks will host a “Brunch with the Monks” from 10 to noon today at the Happy Badger in Bowling Green. Chophel will relate his spiritual journey at 10 a.m. tomorrow at First Unitarian Church, 3205 Glendale Ave. Information: 419-360-4750.

By DAVID YONKE - Article published August 14, 2010