Contributed by Qalvy Grainzvolt, the Shinnyo-en USA New York Temple The Center at Mariandale, a Catholic sacred space, in Ossining, New York, became the centerof this year’s United Nations (U.N.) World Interfaith Harmony Interreligious Prayer Service gathering for the region of Westchester County on February 4th. For the Shinnyo-en community, I felt deep gratitude to …
Centering World Interfaith Harmony at The Center Read More »
Contributed by Qalvy Grainzvolt, the Shinnyo-en USA New York Temple On February 5th, 2023, I represented Shinnyo-en USA Buddhist Order once again at the U.N. Interfaith Harmony week. This time it was for the 19th Annual Interreligious Prayer Service for Peace and Justice held at a venue that has been a long awaited host site …
The U.N. Interfaith Harmony Week in New York City: Unification, at last… Read More »
By Qalvy Grainzvolt The sound of an anvil strike is not normally heard during any interfaith services that I have ever attended thus far in my 20 years of service as a Shinnyo-en Buddhist priest in the United States. However, on February 6, 2022, I heard its sound loud and clear. It was inspiring. On …
The U.N. Interfaith Harmony Week 2022: “Striking the Anvil” Read More »
By Qalvy Grainzvolt This year’s observance of the U.N. Interfaith Harmony Week on February 7, 2021 was the first-time in 17 years that we, the Westchester County, NY cohort, gathered in a virtual space. Normally, every year, a different sacred space or house of worship is selected to host this interreligious prayer service in-person. In …
By Qalvy Grainzvolt With the backdrop of a world pandemic, the International Day of Peace and Day of Disarmament observances held at the U.N. chapel on September 21 took the form of pixels and digital presence this year. Due to the need for social distancing, my annual representation of Shinnyo-en at this event, which is …
The U.N. International Day of Peace 2020 – a “Zoomed-in” view of peace Read More »
Contributed by Qalvy Grainzvolt, Shinnyo-en New York Temple Attending the 2019 Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaii, a special Memorial Day ceremony held in Hawaii over the last 20 years, I have been a witness to myriad special moments each and every time. In the past, I have attended it as a member of the Shinnyo-en Buddhist …
An Ocean of Stories: Reflection on the 2019 Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaii Ceremony Read More »
Contributed by Qalvy Grainzvolt For the last several years, I have had the privilege of representing Shinnyo-en at two distinct observances of the United Nations’ World Interfaith Harmony week, held annually in February. These two iterations of the intention behind interfaith harmony week have traditionally taken form as an inter-religious prayer service and a dialogue. …
The U.N. observances of the World Interfaith Harmony week Read More »
Contributed by Qalvy Grainzvolt The 21st of September is a bustling time at the United Nations. There are various observances and ceremonies that commemorate the International Day of Peace (IDP) which was established in 1981 as a day of non-violence and cease-fire by the U.N. General Assembly. From that grand scale of vision and hope …
Celebrating the U.N. International Day of Peace 2018 at Tillman Chapel Read More »
Contributed by Rev. Qalvy Grainzvolt, Shinnyo-en New York Temple The Shinnyo Center for Meditation and Well-being (“the Shinnyo Center”) in New York City has been widening its circle of participation in United Nations’ events and observances, being only a stone’s throw from its front steps. The Shinnyo Center provides guided meditations, cultural events, community service, …
The Art of Peace: a U.N. World Interfaith Harmony Week Gathering Read More »
