Description

In 1996, at Gethsemani Abbey in Kentucky, home of the late Thomas Merton, a dialogue between the Dalai Lama, leading Buddhists of several traditions, and members of the Catholic Board of Monastic Interreligious Dialogue was held. The purpose was to learn from each other’s tradition in order to deepen understanding, find common ground, and explore any differences. Their discussions on spirituality, including interreligious services, have been called “the most substantive Buddhist-Catholic dialogue” on spirituality and practice to date. Father Julian, one of the participants, will share his experience and insights from the event. 

Reverend Julian von Duerbeck, O.S.B., KCHS, is a Benedictine priest-monk of St. Procopius Abbey, Lisle, IL. He received a Masters in Liturgy from St. John’s University and has studied the history of religions at the Institute of Buddhist Studies, Berkley, CA and Harvard Divinity School, Cambridge, MA. On the Board of Monastic Interreligious Dialogue and Marshal for the Chicago Parliament of World Religions, Father Julian has conducted nearly 200 interreligious events. The Vatican has appointed him a Knight Commander of the Holy Sepulchre. Liturgist at the Abbey, he teaches at Benet Academy and Benedictine University.