Water Ethics from Interreligious Perspective

University: Malaysia

Abstract

The central focus of the forum is:
• to understand and address the issue of water as part of Islam, Christianity, Buddhism and Hinduism.
• to understand how religiously significant water is to each religion
• to understand the ethics of using water in each religious ritual

General Information

General information on the Course

Teaching unit	Details
Title of the course	Interr-religious Dialogue RKUD 3327
Title of the session (teaching unit at the university) or thematic focus	Forum Inter-religious Forum on the Water Ethics from the perspectives of a Muslim, a Christian, a Buddhist, and a Hindu
Subject / degree program	Undergraduate Degree Programme
Classification within the module	Report (30%)
Partner organization (internal or external cooperation partner)	1)Baptist Church (2) Nalanda Centre (3) Friendship Group of Inter-Religious Service
Target group	IIUM Community and Public
Time frame	8.30am – 12.30noon
Requirements/Prior knowledge	World Religions 1 & 2, Quranic Perspectives of Other Religions

Objectives and classification

Aspect	Implementation in context
Content focus (clarification of one’s own religious/ethical views)	Intra-religious and inter-religious. The following verses are referred to in the forum:*Islam and Quran: The Origin of Life: “Do the disbelievers not realize that the heavens and earth were once one mass, then We split them apart? And We created from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?” (Surah Al-Anbiya, 21:30)Diversity of Creation: “And Allah has created from water every living creature. Some of them crawl on their bellies, some walk on two legs, and some walk on four. Allah creates whatever He wills.” (Surah An-Nur, 24:45)Water as Sustenance: “And We send down from the sky rain water in measure and cause it to settle in the earth, and We are certainly able to take it away.” (Surah Al-Mu’minun, 23:18)The Water Cycle: “Do you not see that Allah drives clouds, then joins them, then makes them into a heap? Then you see the rain emerge from within them…” (Surah An-Nur, 24:43)Fresh vs. Saltwater: “And He is the One Who merges the two bodies of water: one fresh and palatable and the other salty and bitter, placing between them a barrier they cannot cross.” (Surah Al-Furqan, 25:53)Purification: “…And He revealed to you from the sky, rain to purify you therewith…” (Surah Al-Anfal, 8:11)Christianity and Bible:Living Water and Spiritual Refreshment:The Bible often compares God’s grace and the Holy Spirit to water that permanently quenches spiritual thirst, as seen in Jesus’ promise of “living water” in John 4:13-14 and 7:37-38. Isaiah 55:1 invites everyone to come to these waters. 2. Cleansing and Purity Water represents purification from sin, such as in Ezekiel 36:25 and Hebrews 10:22, which refer to being cleansed and washed with pure water. 3. God’s ProtectionWater represents the trials of life, with God promising protection, as shown in Isaiah 43:2, and offering peace, as in Psalm 23:2Buddhism and Tripitaka (Three Baskets):The Accumulation of Merit: “One should not think lightly of doing good, imagining ‘A little will not affect me’; just as a water-jar is filled up by falling drops of rain, so also, the wise one is filled up with merit, by accumulating it little by little.” (Dhammapada Verse 122).Releasing Craving: “Whoever overcomes craving in the world, which is difficult to get past, griefs fall from him like drops of water from a lotus leaf.” (Dhammapada Verse 336).The Restless Mind: “Like a fish that is pulled out of the water and thrown on the dry ground thrashes about and quivers, the mind thrashes about from thought to thought.” (Dhammapada Verse 34)Hindusim and Vedas:*Rig Veda (specifically the Apah Suktam, Mandala 10, Hymn 9). These verses are traditionally recited daily during morning ablutions (Sandhyavandanam)
Basic didactic idea (How can a connection to one’s own life be established?)	The forum’s didactic idea is to:introduce the learning audience to national water resources and ethics in the context of Malaysia by exploring the views of a Muslim, a Christian, a Buddhist, and a Hindu on Water Ethics,provide a better understanding of the teachings of Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, and Hinduism on this subject,cultivate mutual respect, better understanding, and peaceful coexistence,
Connection to religious sustainable development	The forum aims to connect the community by:suggesting the development of a training course/certificate/module for teacher training on – Inter-Religious Environmental Education on Water Ethics, andshowing the role of inter-religious dialogue in promoting accurate views on the concept of “Water Ethics” based on the perspectives of the Malaysia Water Resources Unit and religious representatives.
Interreligious connectivity (How can an interreligious perspective be opened up?)(Terms, questions)	The Forum’s inter-religious connectivity is shown by answering the following questions: How is the concept of water understood or explained or interpreted by each religious sources; Quran, Bible, Tripitaka (Three Baskets), Vedas?How is the concept of water ethics understood or explained or interpreted by each religious sources; Quran, Bible, Tripitaka (Three Baskets), Vedas?What is the aim of inter-religious forum in equipping the students with a better understanding of the own religion and others for the concepts of water and water ethics?How to cultivate mutual respect, better understanding, and peaceful coexistence between the learning audience and the learned (the major religions in Malaysia), providing a close cooperation between them to better serve the community?What is the role of inter-religious dialogue in promoting accurate views on the concept of “Water Ethics” based on the perspectives of the Malaysia Water Resources Unit and religious representatives.
Outcome of the session (Questions for interreligious exchange)	Audience will learn from this forum the followings: What is the appropriate methodology to be employed by the students in organizing inter-religious forum locally and internationally in conformity with the aim of interreligious dialogue?What are the steps required to organize a successful inter-religious dialogue emphasizing on the action-based aspects i.e. sustaining water resources and its supply?How is the personality developed in strengthening their own identity and improving the knowledge about others in cooperating with them with respect i.e. sharing and caring about water with others?What is the awareness on water and water ethics from the perspective of Water Resources Unit including the perspectives of the major religions in Malaysia?

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