On the 15th October 2009 Buddhist Venerable Master Chin Kung, visited the Affinity Centre.
On the night, Affinity hosted a dinner for approximately 30 people that included Venerable Master Kung, his entourage and eight Affinity members.
The program started with the serving of vegetarian dinner. After dinner, the program MC, Affinity Director Mr Muhamed Cengic, welcomed everyone and introduced the President, Mr Mehmet Saral, who gave a presentation about Affinity. Mehmet remarked that Affinity not only holds events with the Abrahamic faiths but also with the Eastern Religions of Buddhism and Hinduism. An example of this was the "Spirit of Service" Youth Conference co-hosted by Affinity, for interaction between the Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist youth.
Following this, through his interpreter the Ven. Master Chin Kung gave an in depth talk about the importance of interfaith dialogue in the world. He mentioned that by doing interfaith dialogue we get to learn about different religions and cultures at the same time clarifying our own religious beliefs and cultures. Master Chin Kung also mentioned that during his childhood his best friend was a Muslim. Through his best friend he has come to know about the Muslim faith and Quranic teachings. He has great respect for Muslims around the world and he is also the only Buddhist who has received an Adjunct Doctorate of an Islamic University in Indonesia.
Master Kung has around 1 million followers around the world and is greatly involved with United Nations peace programs.
At the end of the program, there were exchange of gifts between Ven. Master Kung and Mr Mehmet Saral.
At the end of the night, Affinity members were left with great sense of achievement in hosting their guests. Especially considering that there are so many Master Kung followers around the World who dream about being able to see Master Kung in person but are unable to do so. For Master Kung's CV, see link below:
http://www.buddhanet.net/masters/chin_kung.htm
After the program, Mr Graeme Lyall, who is the President of the Amitabha Buddhist Association of New South Wales, sent the following email to Mehmet Saral:
Dear Mehmet,Thank you and your members of Affinity for such a fruitful and insoiring meeting last week. The presentation was excellent and your members went to a lot of trouble preparing such delicious food. It was an evening that we shall long remember. Be happy,Graeme
