Date: October, 2008
The past months have seen dramatic developments in the worldwide financial systems. The world’s attention is riveted to the changes in the stock markets, where people can bitcoin kaufen paypal app if they so choose, amid increasing fear and insecurity relating to the stability of the global economy and the fate of individuals and nations. We the undersigned, leaders and scholars of multiple religious traditions, wish to bring the following message to the attention of the public, as it struggles to make sense and come to terms with rapidly changing financial realities:
1. Every crisis is an opportunity and contains within it the promise and hope of new beginnings. Those of you who are investing should not immediately assume the worst and hide. That may possibly deepen the crisis. We, therefore, encourage all to examine what possibilities for the long-term good and wellbeing of our world may emerge from this situation. Investigate areas that are booming, whether that be through the best online trading app in india has to offer or through your own research. that suggests you find a new career.
2. The present crisis highlights the unity and interconnectedness of all humanity. We live in one, interconnected world. No group or society has the luxury of considering itself beyond the present crisis or immune from it. Our deep interconnectedness is itself a spiritual lesson that should inspire us to appropriate action.
3. Awareness of this interconnectedness leaves no room for the scapegoating of religions, of regions of the world or of any large social or national group as responsible for this crisis. If anyone is responsible for manipulating world finances in a way to cause this crisis then they will surely be dealt with as an individual.
4. There is, however, room for healthy reflection upon life, its values and the spiritual and moral ills that have led to the present crisis. As these ills are found in all societies, and as they are basic to human nature, we encourage an attitude of positive self-criticism and the attempt to improve ourselves as individuals and societies, rather than blaming and scapegoating of others.
5. Our interconnectedness should find expression through a sense of mutual responsibility for the welfare of society and the world at large.
6. In particular, this moment of economic crisis calls for care and responsibility towards the most vulnerable members of society, the poor, who stand to suffer the most from dramatic changes in world economic structures.
7. Care and responsibility should also characterize our activities in the local and global marketplace, which are not beyond ethics and moral imperatives. We recognize that the world of business and commerce is a battle ground for spirituality, where moral and spiritual values are tested constantly. We are thus invited to reflect upon the moral ideals that should govern our business conduct and act accordingly.
8. When seeking ethical guidelines, we should recall the principle of the common good. Our actions should seek to increase not only our personal wellbeing, but should be weighed in light of their broader consequences and their contribution to the common good.
9. One of most fundamental weaknesses of human nature is greed. The present situation makes manifest the harm to the individual and society brought about by greed and unbridled ambition, especially as it is institutionalized and becomes a fundamental component of our economic structures. We are united in our ongoing struggle against the vices of human nature and recommend the wisdom of our traditions as tools to combat the weaknesses of human nature. Our different religious traditions offer important teachings on the metaphysical and psychological roots of greed.
10. The present situation leaves many in a state of insecurity. Painful as it is, the present moment also reminds us that we cannot fix our hopes for a happy and fulfilled life entirely upon material success and stability. Economic fluctuations teach us how unreliable the material field is as a source of hope and stability. The fullness of human existence cannot be attained through the marketplace. We are thus called once again to discover the balance between the material and spiritual life.
11. The message we seek to deliver is a message of hope. Adversity leads to awakening and to deeper insight. The present situation holds potential for rich insight and should therefore fill us with hope. It reminds us of our interconnectedness, purpose and resources. It allows us to recall our spiritual ideals and moral values and to put them into action. It also reminds us that in fundamental ways the world’s great religions agree in their view of life and in their recognition that hope resides beyond the material world. Such common vision is itself a source of hope and an invitation to advance towards the goal of fuller human existence.
12. Our prayers and sincere intentions are with all people, and we watch the unfolding events with care and concern. We encourage all to consult the resources of traditions in facing adversity; we are available to offer our best advice on the basis of our traditions and we remain on hand to react to future events, as they unfold.
Steering Committee of the Elijah Board of World Religious Leaders
Swami Atmapriyananda, Ramakrishna Mission, India
Bhai Sahib Mohinder Singh, Chairperson of Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha, United Kingdom
Ven. Khandro Rinpoche, Mindrolling Monastery, India
Dr. Maria Reis Habito, International Program Director of the Museum of World Religions
Dr. Nazeer Ahmed, Exec. Director, American Institute of Islamic History and Culture, USA
Rabbi Richard Marker, Vice-President, IJCIC, USA
Bishop Lennart Koskinen, Church of Sweden
Sr. Therese Andrevon, Community of the Beautitudes, France
Scholars of the Elijah Interfaith Academy Think Tank
Prof. Vincent Cornell, Emory University
Dr. Maria Reis Habito, International Program Director of the Museum of World Religions
Prof. Johann Vento, Georgian Court University
Rabbi Meir Sendor, Young Israel of Sharon
Prof. Timothy Gianotti, York University, Canada
Prof. Vanessa R. Sasson, Marianopolis College
Prof. Anant Rambachan, St. Olaf College
Dr. Alon Goshen-Gottstein, Elijah Interfaith Institute
Prof. Miroslav Volf, Yale University
Statement Signatories
Buddhist Leaders
His Holiness the Dalai Lama, India
Dr. Jan Chozen Bays, Great Vow Zen Monastery, USA
Venerable Norman Fischer, Founder of Everyday Zen Foundation, USA
Zenkei Blanche Hartman, Abbess of San Francisco Zen Center
Ven. Bhikkuni Kusuma, Ayya Khema International Buddhist Mandir, Sri Lanka
Ven. Jinwol Lee, President of United Religions Initiative of Korea
Ven. Khandro Rinpoche, Mindrolling Monastry, India
Dharma Master Hsin Tao, Founder of the Museum of World Religions, Taiwan
Venerable Karma Lekshe Tsomo, University of San Diego
Christian Leaders
Bishop Hilarion Alfeyev, Russian Orthodox Bishop of Vienna and Austria
The Most Rev. Frank T. Griswold, Presiding Bishop, Episcopal Church, USA
Cardinal Jorge Maria Mejia, Former Secretary of the College of Cardinals and Vatican Chief Librarian and Archivist
Archbishop Boutros Mouallem, Catholic Bishop Emeritus, Haifa and Galilee, Israel
Metropolitan Nikitas Lulias, Orthodox Church, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia
Bishop Lennart Koskinen, Church of Sweden
Bishop Vincentiu Ploiesteanu, Secretary of the Romanian Orthodox Holy Synod
Cardinal Telesphore Placidus Toppo, President of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India
Abbot Primate Notker Wolf O.S.B., Titular head and first representative of the Benedictine Order
Religions of India Leaders
Chandra Swami, Usadin Order, India
Dadi Janki, Administrative Head, Brahama Kumari Movement
Guruji Sri Rishi Prabhakarji, Sidha Samadhi Yoga, India
Bhai Sahib Mohinder Singh, Chairperson of Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha, United Kingdom
Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji, Maadhwa Sangha, India
Jewish Leaders
Chief Rabbi Shear Yashuv Cohen, Chief Rabbi of Haifa, Israel
Chief Rabbi Menachem HaCohen, Chief Rabbi of Romania
Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar, Chief Rabbi of Russia
Rabbi Michael Melchior, Chief Rabbi Emeritus Norway, MK, Israel
Rabbi Mordechai Peron, Chief Rabbi Emeritus of Zurich
Chief Rabbi David Rosen, Chief Rabbi Emeritus Ireland, President, International Jewish Committee for Interreligious Consultations (IJCIC)
Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth
Rabbi Awraham Soetendorp, Rabbi of the Liberal Jewish Community in The Hague (The Netherlands)
Muslim Leaders
Sayyed Jawad Al-Khoei, Al Khoei Foundation, London
Dr. Mustafa Ceric, President of the Council of Ulema, Bosnia-Herzegovina
Maulana Dr. Wahiduddin Khan, President of the Islamic Center, New Delhi
Chief Kadi Ahmed Natour, President, Israel’s High Shari’a Court of Appeal
Dr Adamou Ndam Njoya, Former President of the African Muslim Congress, Cameroon
Sheikh Muhammad Nur Abdullah, President, Islamic Society of North America, USA
Dr. Abdurrahman Wahid, Former President of the Republic of Indonesia
