On 6 April 2019, the Studies in Inter-Religious Relations in Plural Societies (SRP) programme held a joint half-day workshop titled “Workshop on Inter-religious Dialogue: Theories, Aims, Skills and Practices” with the MUIS Academy, Hindu Centre, Taoist College, Trinity Theological College, Catholic Theological Institute and the Buddhist College of Singapore (BCS) at the MUIS Academy. Dr. Lee Foong Ming, Assistant Professor of BCS, was one of the guest speakers and panellists providing the Buddhist perspective on the topic. Venerable Dr. Chuan Sheng, Vice-Rector (Academic Affairs and Advisor) of BCS, and a group of 19 students and staff attended the workshop as well.
Professor Julius Lipner, Emeritus Professor of Hinduism and the Comparative Study of Religion from the University of Cambridge expounded on the Theory and Aims of Dialogue while Associate Professor Paul Hedges and Mr. Gerald Kong spoke on the Skills and Practices of Dialogue. Following that, the six speakers representing the Hindu, Islam, Catholic, Christian, Taoist and Buddhist religions briefly introduced the ways of engaging in dialogue from their perspectives. Finally, the speakers engaged the audience in a lively Q & A session on applying these skills within their own community.
