A public lecture titled “Fostering Gender Equality in Interfaith Dialogue: Prospects and Challenges”, jointly organized by the Gender Studies Programme and the Humanistic Buddhism Research Centre of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Universiti Malaya, was held on the evening of June 4 at Lecture Hall DK D. The event marked a meaningful collaboration between academic and religious communities in addressing gender equality issues.
The lecture featured two distinguished
speakers: Prof. Datin Dr. Raihanah Abdullah from the Academy of Islamic Studies and Venerable Jue Cheng, Head Abbess of Fo Guang Shan in the Malaysia–Singapore–Thailand–Indonesia region. Dr. Lai Suat Yan from the Gender Studies Programme served as moderator.
Prof. Raihanah explored women’s roles and gender justice from an Islamic perspective. Venerable Jue Cheng noted that while legal frameworks support gender equality, cultural and traditional norms often maintain inequality. She emphasized the Buddhist principle of “equality among all beings” and urged women to empower themselves through knowledge and independence, stating, “Daughters must strive for self-strength.”
The event attracted over a hundred attendees. During the Q&A session, participants from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds raised thoughtful questions, reflecting Malaysia’s pluralistic society.
Beyond intellectual exchange, the lecture built bridges for cross-cultural and interfaith dialogue on gender issues, demonstrating shared commitments to social progress.
After the event, students from Fo Guang Shan Dong Zen Institute of Buddhist Studies visited the Humanistic Buddhism Research Centre to learn more about its mission and development.
由马来亚大学人文与社会科学院性别研究课程组与人间佛教研究中心联办的讲座，主題為：“促进性别平等的宗教对话：前景与挑战”，6月4日傍晚在DK D讲堂举行。本次讲座也象征着宗教界与学术界在推动性别平等议题上的深度探討。
讲座邀请了马来亚大学伊斯兰研究学院的莱哈娜教授（Prof. Datin Dr. Raihanah Abdullah）和佛光山新馬泰印教區總住持的觉诚法师對談，由马大性别研究课程讲师赖雪艳博士（Dr Lai Suat Yan）主持。
莱哈娜教授从伊斯兰观点出发，探讨女性在宗教实践中的角色与平权议题。觉诚法师表示雖然在法律上男女平等,但是因為文化與傳統習俗的不同，所以造成男女不平等的現象。他也分享佛光山在推动性别平等方面的理念与实践，强调“众生平等”的核心价值。最後勉勵女性要爭取性别平等之前，要「女兒當自強」！唯有自強、有能力，才不會自卑、自暴自棄！唯有自強有能力、有知識有學問，經濟獨立等，才能在社會公平的競爭。
约百余名观众出席，反应热烈。讲座后进入问答环节，来自不同种族、宗教背景的听众踊跃发言，提出有关宗教文化与性别正义的现实问题，展现马来西亚社会的多元与包容。
本次講座不仅是一场思想交锋，更为宗教与性别议题搭建起跨文化、跨信仰的沟通桥梁，展示出教育机构与宗教组织在推动社会进步上的共同愿景。
讲座结束后，来自东禅佛教学院的青年学生特别前往人间佛教研究中心参观，进一步了解人间佛教研究中心的发展与宗旨。
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