The Declaration put forward by the Council presents the subtle transformative power of religion, which cultivates and nurtures the formation of values: personal integrity and a sense of right and wrong; care and compassion; justice and peace; respect for one another, for the earth and its creatures; and the pursuit of good, wisdom and truth. Individuals with this positive outlook on life are more likely to help achieve the greater well-being of the community, instead of or in parallel to the pursuit of their own personal interests.

* The Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions was established in 1988, to cultivate harmony among the world's religious and spiritual communities and foster their engagement with the world and its other guiding institutions to achieve a peaceful, just and sustainable world. In 1993, the Parliament of the World's Religions was convened by the Council and was attended by 8,000 people from around the world. At the Parliament, an assembly of religious and spiritual leaders jointly released the groundbreaking document, The Declaration Toward a Global Ethic.

Some Facts and Figures
Buddhism and Taoism have a large following in Hong Kong. In addition, there is a sizeable Christian community of around 660,000 people, consisting mainly of Catholics and Protestants, forming about 10% of the total population. Other major religions practised in Hong Kong include, among others, Confucianism, Islam (90,000 Muslims), Hinduism (40,000 Hindus), Sikhism (8,000 Sikhs) as well as Judaism.
(Source of information: Hong Kong Year Book 2005, Chapter 18: Religion and Custom)

On the education front, figures available as of 2005, reveal that there were 1,412 teachers teaching Ethics / Religious Studies / Religious Education in schools. Of this number, 1,193 (84.5%) were "non-subject-trained". In other words, they had not studied subjects relevant to Ethics and / or Religious Studies in their previous academic activities. Only 219 (15.5%) were "subject-trained". Yet of this number, 119 (54.3%) had not received any teacher training relevant to Ethics and / or Religious Studies.
(Source of information: Education and Manpower Bureau 2006 - Statistics on Primary and Secondary School Teachers 2005/06. Hong Kong: Printing Department)

These figures reveal the urgent need to better prepare our teachers for the delivery of religious and spirituality education; if the community wishes to educate its young people as individuals with a positive outlook on life.

Centre for Religious and Spirituality Education

Since there has been no structured religious and spirituality education for teachers in the territory so far, the HKIEd Centre for Religious and Spirituality Education (CRSE) can be described as the first of its kind in teacher education institutions in Hong Kong. Established in May 2006, the Centre aims to provide religious and spiritual education to prospective teachers; in addition to strengthening their education in related pedagogies, practice and research.

The CRSE offers General Education modules in the area of Religious and Spirituality Education hand-in-hand with services that promote and enrich religious and spirituality well-being through talks, seminars, meditation and spiritual practice sessions, personal consultation and the sharing of individual spiritual concerns with spiritual advisers.

Programmes and Modules

Existing and planned General Education modules in the area of Religious and Spirituality Education include the following:
	˙	Buddhist Ethics: conflicts and dilemmas in the modern world
	˙	Awareness of the Buddha and the 21st Century
	˙	Christianity and Social Concerns
	˙	Religion and Life
	˙	Abrahamic Faiths: Judaism, Christianity and Islam
	˙	Ethics and Religion
	˙	The Theory and Practice of Confucian Morality
	˙	Catholic Social Ethics
	˙	Immortals and Immortality: the Quest for Eternality
	˙	Ways to Liberation: a religious perspective
	˙	Philosophical Reflection on Religion
	˙	Food and Clothes: differences and similarities in Buddhist traditions
	˙	Global Religion: Islam
	˙	History of Taoism
	˙	Mindfulness Meditation
	˙	Indian Buddhism and its Development
	˙	Taste of Zen and Enlightenment

Other Services: Seminar

The Seminar on "Religious Education in Hong Kong Schools: A Sharing of Experience" was organised on 27 May 2006. A hundred and fifty teaching professionals from schools sponsored by the six major religions in Hong Kong were invited to the event. At the seminar, principals and teachers shared their views on religious education, corresponding teacher education, the challenges faced by religious education under the new senior secondary system, as well as the experiences and expectations of frontline teachers in implementing religious education.

Talks
Held at regular intervals since November 2006, the Centre has so far organised a number of talks including "In the face of suffering" by Rev Lee Ching-chee; "Cultivating love and understanding: Embracing anger and fear" by Venerable Thich Chan Phap Kham; "The pursuit of happiness" by Dr Pang I-wah (HKIEd) and "Imagining sacred space and pilgrims' consumption: Roaming spirituality in Mecca and Jerusalem" by Dr Ho Wai-ip (HKIEd).

Meditation and Spiritual Practice Sessions An inter-religious Quiet Room is open for the use of the Institute community for meditation and spiritual practices, or simply to provide moments of silence for personal reflection and contemplation.

Personal Consultations
Experienced spiritual leaders of different religious beliefs will be stationed at the Institute's Tai Po Campus at fixed times during the week. Members of the Institute and the school community can arrange to have face-to-face discussions with these religious teachers, who act as spiritual advisers on personal spiritual concerns.

The Way Forward
In the short to medium term, the Centre will work towards contributing to the scholarship of the theory and practice of Religious and Spirituality Education through teaching and the publication of research findings in scholarly and professional journals, conferences, pamphlets and books for use by teachers, educators and policy-makers. In the long term, it is the Centre's goal to provide recognised and accredited qualifications for the teaching of Religious and Spirituality Education related subjects in Hong Kong schools. Where appropriate, it will also provide opportunities for students who wish to opt for a specified combination of related modules that constitute either a second teaching subject or a subject concentration.

ENQUIRIES

Programmes and Other Services
Centre for Religious and Spirituality Education
Tel: 2948 8285	Fax: 2948 8407
Website: http://www.ied.edu.hk/crse/
Email address: crse@ied.edu.hk
Donations
Communications and Institutional Advancement Office
Tel: 2948 6050	Fax: 2948 6046
Website: http://www.ied.edu.hk/ciao/
Email address: crse@ied.edu.hk

Recovering the Sacred Mission in Education

Teaching is a job, a profession, and a calling. A teacher who answers the call of her own spirit, and offers up every day, every act for the best possible way to teach and to learn - she must first of all be an authentic person, one who is true to her conscience, to her own ongoing intellectual, affective and moral growth. Only such a person can serve her students with a mind that is ever fresh, a heart that is earnest, and a sense of direction which is always unclouded.

The spiritual values of the school of Confucius are built on the idea of ren or "benevolence". The word ren means "the way two persons should relate to each other", it also means "the life-bearing seed within a fruit". The lives and careers of many of our good teachers manifest in present-day Hong Kong the traditional values of ren. With every student, the good teacher insists with gentle steadfastness on "the way two persons should relate to each other", the way of loving kindness, patient understanding, and a sense of direction.

In this age of market fundamentalism, when the climate of opinion dictates that everything - including education - has to be conducted according to the principles and practices of commerce, such humane values are like the "temple bells in the morning and drums in the evening" that pierce the fog. They are "the salt of the earth, the light on the hill which would not be hidden under a bushel measure". In recent years, whenever people in authority speak about education, the only concern is on economic returns and competitiveness. What these leaders expect of our students is for them always to "value-add" in order to increase their own incomes and buying power. In other words, we can safely assume that under market fundamentalism, a person has only two main roles: to be an employee and a consumer; all other roles are of no consequence. But our many roles and relationships as someone's children, parents, students, teachers, neighbours; as citizens, members of one religion or another, and inheritors/transmitters of our cultural traditions - all these are independent of the market, and may even be contradictory to the market. All these roles, which mark us as human and link us to one another in authentic, deeply meaningful relationships, are dispensable for the market fundamentalist, and may indeed be seen by him as obstacles to be bulldozed.

As professional teachers working in an inescapable milieu of market fundamentalism, how do we find our humanistic ways to educate, and to teach by treating both our students and ourselves as human beings? This is the question which we must constantly ponder. I believe the mission of education is to nurture our children and young adults to respect the basic rights and dignity of all people; to cultivate in them honesty, fairness, justice, peace, and love for all humanity and for the natural environment; to teach them to practise compassion for the less fortunate - not to honour the rich and bully the poor; to encourage them to live up fully to each one's different potentials, to adhere to the faith that "the truth will make you free", and not to take the accumulation of wealth as their life goal. I hope our young people will find their inspiration in Lao Tzu's wisdom: "The greatest good is water; water benefits all and never strives for its own gain". I hope our young people will not live in order to compete for fame and fortune, for performance indicators, for a higher place on someone's artfully compiled league table.

Under the sway of market fundamentalism, education is one line of products among many commercial goods, and teachers are no more than some form of human resource on the labour market. Both are goods to be bought and sold. Teachers do not have any special dignity; education has no sacred mission.

Finding ourselves in the midst of this tempest, what shall we do as teachers to help our pupils? And what should we do as teacher educators to help teachers? Braving the onslaughts, we need all the more a clear mind and deep practice, to enable ourselves to reflect on and to handle our professional work and our daily lives - a practice on the basis of an abiding faith in life's ultimate concern.

Religious and spirituality education is each person's search for answers to life's ultimate questions, and the cultivation of strength of one's being through spiritual practice.

The Hong Kong Institute of Education was formed out of an amalgamation of five government-operated colleges for teachers, and as such never had anything to do with religious education, although of course many of our staff and students have their own religious beliefs and commitments. Our colleagues are concerned that Hong Kong education has always overstressed academic performance, and in recent years has focused almost exclusively on an economic orientation, and consequently neglected spiritual values and needs. We believe it is important, and urgent, to offer help to our young people for their spiritual growth. Hence we decided to establish this Centre for Religious and Spirituality Education to provide academic modules on religious traditions, philosophies of life, spiritual practices and religious education. These modules will form part of the General Education offerings of our Bachelor of Education curriculum for our full-time pre-service students, and will be available to these students as free electives. Such a concept, to offer a whole series of courses covering all major religious traditions, as free electives for students across the entire institution, is unprecedented among public universities in Hong Kong.

The Centre for Religious and Spirituality Education will run more than a dozen courses on religious teachings and spiritual practices, to give Hong Kong's next generation of teachers an opportunity to become acquainted with the major religions in our society, to help them reflect on, and search for meaning in their own lives, in order to elevate the spiritual quality of our new teachers, so that they will be better able to nurture a sincere, compassionate, loving, serene, just and harmonious society. We offer these courses not to proselytise or to drive our students towards any religion, but to give them the opportunity, as adults and as university students, to learn to respect and to appreciate critically the major religions of the world, to deepen their thinking and their concerns, so that even when swept washed in the mainstream discourse of market fundamentalism, they still have a chance to keep their sights above the waves and see things a little farther, a little deeper, to know and to value their own spiritual selves a little more. If some among them, having taken our courses, should convert to this or that religion; or should decide not to commit to any religion but develops respect for the authentic faith of others; or should come to realise the limitations of the prevailing belief in homo economicus: these are what I would count as a rich harvest for our modules in religious and spirituality education.

Spiritual Views from our Religious Leaders

"What is education? It is the continuation of God work of creation. It is like God breathing His own life onto earth to create man with a soul. That is why in education we found holiness and greatness. It is my wish that through the establishment of CRSE, the teachers from HKIEd could fully breathe in the love of God to nurture many, many lives." His Eminence Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, SDB Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong "Science and technology only help to improve man's physical, but not his spiritual, well-being. Spiritual education is vital to man's future because a righteous heart is precursory to man's moral cultivation. The setting up of the CRSE is equivalent to the sowing of good seeds for religion. Nurtured by devoted teachers, the Centre will surely blossom and bear fruit in the days to come, making invaluable contributions to our society." Venerable Kok Kwong President, the Hong Kong Buddhist Association "Tiny as Hong Kong may be, people of different religious backgrounds live together peacefully and harmoniously. The phenomenon itself can be deemed a good model for the world. Our support goes to the spirituality education developed by the HKIEd because teachers of basic education trained by the Centre will pass the philosophies of virtue and the spirit of our fine tradition onto the next generation. Hong Kong can then become a more peaceful city and the world a more peaceful place, too." Mr Hsu Show-hoo, MBE Chairman, Sik Sik Yuen "To rebuild a society founded on humanity, we simply cannot ignore the spiritual development of man. The CRSE established by the HKIEd will train numerous teachers, who will in turn spread the voice of religion to influence countless students and their families. In this way, we can reconstruct an immaterial society that emphasises spirituality, humanity, justice and integrity." The Most Reverend Dr Peter Kwong Kong-kit Archbishop, Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui "Taoism is the traditional religion of the Chinese. Loyalty and filial piety that Taoism emphasises are still important moral principals of today. Lao Tzu's ‘Dao De Jing' has a far-reaching influence on world culture. Let me quote from the 64th chapter for mutual encouragement – 'a journey of a thousand miles starts from the spot under one's feet.' The religious and spirituality education started by the HKIEd will surely enjoy a very splendid success in the future." Mr Mak Chi-fee Chairman, Ching Chung Taoist Association of Hong Kong

The Venerable Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh
Visits Hong Kong
Register Now for His Mindfulness Activities in May 2007

Thich Nhat Hanh, the revered Vietnamese Buddhist monk and teacher whose philosophy of "engaged Buddhism" helped to end the decades-long Vietnamese War, will be in Hong Kong from 9 to 19 May 2007. His Hong Kong activities are scheduled in the break between his retreats in Vietnam and his trip to Thailand, a visit he is making upon the invitation of the King of Thailand.

About Thich Nhat Hanh
Born in central Vietnam in 1926, Thich Nhat Hanh joined the monkhood at the age of sixteen. Witnessing his war torn country ravaged by bombings and confronting the human suffering of his fellow countrymen, Thich Nhat Hanh founded the "engaged Buddhism" movement. Together with the School of Youth Social Service, a grass-roots relief organisation he had founded, he helped to rebuild bombed villages, set up schools and medical centres, resettled homeless families and organised agricultural cooperatives. At the same time, the Zen master adhered to the contemplative and meditative life of the Buddhist monasteries.

In 1966 after visiting the US and Europe on a peace mission and delivering an anti-war address, he was banned from returning to Vietnam. He thus settled in France. In 1967 he was nominated by the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., for the Nobel Peace Prize. In 1982 Thich Nhat Hanh founded Plum Village, a Buddhist community in exile in France, where he continued his work to alleviate the suffering of refugees, the Vietnamese boat people, political prisoners, and hungry families not only in Vietnam but throughout the Third World. In September 2001, just a few days after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre, he talked about non-violence and forgiveness in a memorable speech at the Riverside Church in New York City. In September 2003, he addressed members of the US Congress, leading them through a two-day retreat.

The Zen master's life has been dedicated to the importance of inner transformation for the benefit of individuals and society. He has received widespread recognition for his work with Vietnam veterans, his meditation retreats as well as his prolific writings on meditation, mindfulness, and peace. He has published some 85 titles of poetry, prose, and prayer. More than half of these publications are in English, including the best selling Call Me by My True Names, Peace Is Every Step, Being Peace, Touching Peace, Living Buddha Living Christ, Teachings on Love, The Path of Emancipation, and Anger.

Thich Nhat Hanh currently lives in Plum Village, France in the meditation community that he founded. There he teaches, writes, and gardens, in addition to also leading retreats worldwide on "the art of mindful living".

Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh in Hong Kong 2007
Mindfulness Retreat Peace and Joy: The Fruits of Mindful Living
11-15 May 2007 (Friday - Tuesday, 5 days and 4 nights) Wu Kwai Sha Youth Village Target Participants Student teachers, teachers and principals, social workers, counsellors, healthcare professionals, psychologists, and members of the general public Teacher and Instructors / Speakers The Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh and Plum Village Sangha Languages English. Cantonese translation provided Capacity 500 residents, 300 commuters		Cost HK$1,000 - residents HK$600 flat rate - 3 days / 4 days / 5 days for commuters * Financial assistance up to HK$900 per person may be approved for substantiated requests by local full-time students, newly employed teachers (1st or 2nd year) and any persons with need. Main Features Guided meditation and chanting, sitting meditation, Dharma talks, walking meditation, mindful meals, Dharma discussions in small groups, touching the earth practice, total relaxation, beginning a new practice, etc. All attendants will be expected to observe Noble Silence during the 5-day session.

Day of Mindfulness Stresses and Changes: Coping and Transforming
16 May 2007 (Wednesday) HKIEd Tai Po Campus Target Participants Student teachers, teachers and principals, social workers, counsellors, healthcare professionals and psychologists Teacher and Instructors / Speakers The Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh and Plum Village Sangha Languages English. Cantonese translation provided		Capacity 900 Cost Free admission with application Main Features Guided meditation and chanting, sitting meditation, Dharma talk by the Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh, outdoor walking meditation, mindful meals, total relaxation and Dharma discussions
Public Talk Love and Understanding: Path to True Well-being
18 May 2007 (Friday) Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre Target Participants The general public Teacher and Instructors / Speakers The Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh and Plum Village Sangha Languages English. Cantonese translation provided		Capacity 5,000 Cost Free admission with ticket Main Features Dharma talk, sitting meditation and singing of Dharma songs
Registration On-line registration : http://www.ied.edu.hk/crse/ Tel : 2948 8279    Fax : 2948 8407 Places are limited, reservations for these activities are on a first come, first served basis.