Fo Guang Shan Chicago was invited to participate in an interfaith prayer service held at Montini Catholic High School, attended by 525 students. Religious representatives from Judaism, Islam, Catholicism, and the Presbyterian Church were also in attendance. Venerable Miao Wei and Steve Volkening, a member of the BLIA English Subchapter, represented Buddhism. The Venerable began by chanting the “Fo Guang Four-Line Verse” in Chinese, followed by a recitation of its English translation, and offered blessings to the assembly with Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s “A Prayer for World Peace.” Although most in attendance did not understand Chinese, many expressed that the Buddhist chanting was deeply moving, evoking a profound sense of tranquility and peace.
The service was part of the school’s week-long religious and cultural program. In his opening remarks, Principal Mr. Chris Tiritilli thanked the various religious groups for their support and emphasized that the week’s activities aimed to create an inclusive environment where all students—regardless of background, identity, or faith—could feel accepted and valued. Mrs. Kelly Davis, the Campus Ministry Assistant and Theology Teacher, concluded by stating: “Compassion is a goal we strive to practice daily; it is reflected not only in our prayers but in our actions. Through the prayers of all religions, may we all become a force for promoting world peace.”
This event highlighted the importance of interfaith cooperation and dialogue, providing students with an opportunity to understand the beliefs and values of different religions while promoting religious harmony within the school community. At the conclusion of the event, the school invited all religious representatives for a group photo and expressed an interest in organizing future student visits to the Fo Guang Shan Chicago Buddhist Temple.