A visit of peace and friendship from a Venerable Monk
SIHANOUKVILLE: 8th August 2007 -- The Venerable Soa
Socheat, Buddhist monk and Master at the Srok Udon Pagoda of
Pursat Province, paid a visit to the Don Bosco
Sihanoukville compound on the morning of 7th August. Venerable Seachet
came to Sihanoukville
from his original Pursat to lead the funeral ceremonies for an old
friend who had supported the reconstruction of his Pagoda. As the
former friend was also related to one of the staff at Don Bosco, the
Venerable was invited to visit the technical school compound.
Venerable Socheat offered some words of Good
Morning to the
students and teachers, inviting them to live in harmony with themselves
and
others; "following the school rules, for example, not through fear but
with love for each other," he said "is the key to happiness". "If one
is living in harmony with society, family and one's social group then
one should not fear contamination by something like HIV. Respect
for others, for those who think differently, for the persons of other
religions, is very important on the way to happiness", he said.
Venerable Socheat was guided by Fr. Albeiro Rodas
through the various sections,
where the managers introduced the school, students and activities to
him. Afterwards, he stayed a few minutes in the Pastoral office where
Fr.
Albeiro spoke to him about Don Bosco and the Preventive System.
The visit of Venerable Socheat was a great moment
for the
community and an opportunity to come in touch with the spiritual
leaders of Buddhism in a country where 95% of Cambodians profess this
religion. The Venerable Socheat also had his photo taken in front of
the 'Tau'
of the Don Bosco Brother Sun Garden, the world symbol of peace
inspired by Assisi. Fr. Albeiro told him that Venerable Ghosinanda, who
died 5
months ago in the United States and who was the Cambodian living symbol
of peace and unity, visited Assisi and met Pope John Paul II, joining
with him in prayers for peace and love worldwide.
_________________ AustraLasia is an
email
service
for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific. It also functions
as an
agency for ANS based in
Rome.
For queries please contact admin@bosconet.aust.com
.
Use BoscoWiki
to be interactive. RSS feeds - subscribe to www.bosconet.aust.com/RSS/rssala.xml Avail yourself of the Salesian Digital
Library
at at http://sdl.sdb.org
