Religious Leaders Forced To Take A 'raincheck'

Illawarra Mercury

Tuesday January 2, 2007

By JULIAN MURPHY

THE power of prayer almost paid immediate dividends yesterday.

Dark clouds hung over Nan Tien Temple at Berkeley as Buddhist monks led a multi-faith prayer event calling for rain.

While the afternoon remained dry, a large crowd and representatives from a number of faiths attended the New Year's Day gathering.

Temple project co-ordinator Rachel Seath said the prayers were more for other parts of the country, rather than the Illawarra.

"We get enough rain here but, as everyone knows, other areas aren't so lucky," she said.

"And some countries like Malaysia or Indonesia don't want any more rain, so this is just as much about peace and the ecosystem as it is about rain."

The prayer day, which Ms Seath hopes will become an annual event, was organised by Abbess Yi Lai.

"The idea was to bring together different cultures and faiths to pray in their own way for a common goal," Ms Seath said.

"This isn't a Buddhist occasion, it's for the whole community, and in the future we may hold it at a neutral venue."

Representatives from the Catholic Diocese and the Italian Catholic Federation, Aboriginal elders Uncle Reuben and Aunty Gwen and Wollongong Lord Mayor Alex Darling were among the visiting dignitaries.

© 2007 Illawarra Mercury

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