GUWAHATI, Dec 8 � Eminent Tibetologist and Indologist Dr Per Kvaerne on Wednesday stressed the need for institutional, intellectual and experiential dialogue to strengthen the bridges of faith and amity among all religions and build a society that promotes human ideals.
Speaking at a symposium on �Building bridges of faith, some thoughts on inter-religious dialogue� organised by Hitakalpa, a voluntary service organisation, at the auditorium of Assam State Museum, Dr Kvaerne, a former professor of the department of History of Religion, Oslo University, said that multi-religious as well as inter-religious prayer, study groups and factual information, shared retreats and meditation sessions and multi-religious initiatives intended to hasten social progress and support human rights can combine to become a powerful and greatly beneficial force in the society.
Dr Kvaerne, also a distinguished Buddhist and Sanskrit scholar and author, while referring to Hinduism, said that this religion regarded other religions with an open mind in the sense that it viewed different religions as paths leading to the same goal.
The programme was attended by many prominent citizens including Dr Lakshminandan Bora.
A souvenir titled Hitakalpa, edited by Dipanka Hazarika, was released on the occasion by TG Baruah, chairman, the Assam Tribune group of publications.
