Days 27, 28 and 29

Meeting with Rabbi Goren

 The past two days have been full of fun and lots of religious and political conversation. On Wednesday morning, we had a lecture from Professor Matthews on Individualism and Community in American Political Thought, which I believe further clarified the interactions between the students from both countries in public transportation and a host of other things. As we discussed with the very excellent Dr. Lule tonight, it is not common in American culture to sit directly next to someone on a bus or a train or even in a classroom. Americans like their space and alone time, which contrasts to the aspect of Indonesian culture that emphasizes group activity and bonding. It is just two different traditions embedded into the cultures and I'm really glad that, among other things was clarified. I would hate to offend them over something that I didn't even realize and that was one of the things I wish we knew to explain to the Indonesians when we arrived rather than finding out the hard way. 

Another thing that was interesting was that the Indonesians loved the food at Rathbone because they could see it before taking it and they could better determine if they would enjoy it. The Lehigh students were less enthusiastic about it, but glad that the others enjoyed it so much. it was also great to have a discussion on Judaism yesterday because it was something that we, as a group, have not really studied in depth; it was not only educational to the exchange students, but eye opening to me as well because I would not have a reason to study it otherwise. 

 My FAVORITE day was today when we learned all about Buddhism! I found Professor Lloyd's lecture to be absolutely fascinating. There is so much to the religion that I really agree with and I wish that more people behaved like the ideal Buddhist. The Tibetan Buddhist Learning Center is something I definitely want to return to. I think that meditation and reflection are so important to a person's well being. Maybe during four o'clocks week I'll head over to meditate. Ta Ta for now! NYC HERE I COME!

--Shannon Cassidy, Lehigh University

Entering the Tibetan Buddhist Learning Center

 The past two days have been filled with some really interesting discussions about religion and religious pluralism. This Thursday, we had a lecture on the basic concepts of Buddhism with Dr. Lloyd Steffen. Learning about Buddhism and the importance to uphold yourself to be the best person you can be right now was a really interesting idea that I had always wanted to apply in my life but this idea seems to be very different from what I had learned as a child. Growing up in a Catholic family, I was raised to value good deeds by either helping out at church events, doing some community service at orphanages, or simply helping out your neighbors. Although helping others brings forward positivity to others and yourself, the thought to always help others and to be a good person was always followed by fear about your afterlife—will I go to heaven or will I go to hell? Learning about Buddhism was really refreshing. Later that day, we visited the Tibetan Buddhist Learning Center where we met Diana. Diana is a character! I very much enjoyed our visit at the Tibetan Buddhist Learning Center because she was able to explain Buddhism in a very simple manner. I definitely plan on attending the Buddhist study and tea time sessions held every Sunday in the future.
 

After our visiting Diana, we had a visitor—Professor Jack Lule! I really appreciate our conversation with Professor Lule because not only did he learn about the daily activities that we took part in during the program thus far, we were also able to share the ups and downs of the program. I think that this conversation was a really important one to have because I believe that everyone was thinking about how intense this program is, mentally, physically, and spiritually, but it was not until Professor Lule said, “If this program was easy, we wouldn’t do it!” that it has occurred to everyone, or at least, me, that “Yes, this program is intense but that’s how it should be! I am learning!”. As intense as this program is, I am loving it! Although this program is focused religious pluralism and democracy, the activities and the entire structure of this program has challenged so many more aspects of my life. Not only are the lectures and the visits to various religious and political institutions important in learning the history and how people function in a society, but also living with our Indonesian and American friends and learning about them as individuals has also presented many opportunities to exchange ideas and to reflect on my own culture and identity. There are only five days of this program left and so many thoughts are firing in my head about everything! This program has truly changed me as a person, I just do not know exactly how yet.

--Theresa Mejia, Lehigh University