Beyond Secularism and Fundamentalism: Reinventing Global Citizenship

The author presented a version of this article at the Sixth Buddhist-Christian Colloquium of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, November 13–16, 2017, in Taiwan. The topic of that dialogue was “Buddhists and Christians Walking Together on the Path of Nonviolence.” The author begins by tracing the origin of the term “Fundamentalism” to the South of the United States; it called for a “battle royal” for conservative Christianity against other religions and points of view. It was tied to the first American Christian terrorist group, the Ku Klux Klan. He then quotes Pope Benedict’s rejection of all forms of Fundamentalism. Next the author traces the origin of “secularism” to England and explains its theory concerning the need to push religion out of social institutions and political decision-making. He quotes Paul Carus’ rejection of secularism. Finally, he explores both Buddhist and Christian scriptural sources and the words of modern religious scholars and leaders calling for transcendence of both Fundamentalism and secularism in order to reach a deeper spiritual foundation supporting global citizenship for the good of all humanity

The Mystical Theology of Chiara Lubich: A Foundation for Interreligious Dialogue in East Asia

This article begins with the assumption that Chiara Lubich received a charism—a spiritual gift—that is embodied in her spirituality of unity. Mitchell argues that the Trinitarian source of this gift was revealed in the mystical experience she refers to as “Paradise ’49,” a period of illumination in Chiara’s life that began in 1949 and extended to 1951. The first part of this paper reflects on the charism of Chiara’s spirituality of unity as lived out in interreligious dialogue. The second part reflects on what has been published about Chiara’s mystical illuminations, which Mitchell believes can serve as new sources for dialogue with the East Asian traditions of Buddhism and Confucianism. In the third and final section, Mitchell presents his views on how such a dialogue could contribute to a more global Catholic philosophy

The Word of God, Scripture, and Dialogue: Reflections for Buddhists in Light of the Experience of Chiara Lubich

This article looks at the nature of the Word as presented in the Prologue to the Gospel According to John, and its creative act in conveying its presence as Jesus Christ as a “living reality” through scripture, and the transforming effect of living the Word in daily life in light of the experience of Chiara Lubich. It goes on to present how the human person distorts this reality in fundamental ways as described in the Letter of James in words that parallel a similar description in Buddhism; and how in Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians and Chiara’s own experience, this distortion can be healed by the Word of God. The final section addresses how these views relate to interreligious dialogue

Dazzling Darkness: Buddhism and Chiara Lubich’s Mystical Writings

The author begins by presenting two experiences of what he terms “dazzling darkness,” one in a Christian context and the other in a Buddhist context. He then looks at the Buddhist traditions in India and China to propose an explanation for the experience in the Buddhist context. In so doing, he connects darkness to suffering and light to Nirvana and Buddha-nature. Then he turns to the mystical writings of Chiara Lubich to propose an explanation for the Christian experience and its relation to suffering and the luminosity of God in suffering through Jesus Forsaken. In the section on the writings of Chiara Lubich, the author also explores (1) her experiences of the relational arising and mutual indwelling of beings, and the indwelling of the light and love of God in the darkness of suffering existence, and (2) the experiences of Buddha-nature, dependent arising, mutual indwelling, and the identity of Nirvana and samsāra in Buddhism. He proposes that while there are certainly differences, considering dazzling darkness on the experiential level provides a platform for a deeper dialogue between Buddhism and Christianity

Summer Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera (EPT) Species Richness and Community Structure in the Lower Illinois River Basin of Illinois

Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera (EPT) species richness is useful for monitoring stream health, but no published studies in Illinois quantitatively document EPT richness or assemblage structure. The objectives of this study were to characterize adult EPT richness and structure and relate these to relative water at eight stream sites (160-69,300 km3 area) in the lower Illinois River Adults were ultra-violet light trapped in June, July, and August 1997. Nutrient enrichment by nitrate and nitrite nitrogen was strongly evident, in smaller drainages, while critical loss of stable habitat was observed in water bodies. Seventy EPT species were identified from 17,889 specimens. Trichoptera were by far the most speciose (41 species), followed by Ephemeroptera (26), and Plecoptera (3). Caddisflies also dominated species richness across sites, contributing 18.0 of the average 28.9 total EPT species collected. Site EPT richness varied significantly (F =5.51, p 0.003, df 7), with smaller drainages supporting greater richness, generally. Differences were also evident for months (F = 21.7, p =0.0001, df =2), with June being lower (11.8 average) than either July (20.6) or August (18.1) values. Hilsenhoff biotic index (HBI) scores did not vary significantly across sites (F 0.7, p =0.7, df =7), but were different across months (F =5.4, p 0.02, df 2). June (4.23) and July (4.53) means were not different, but both were lower (of better quality) than August (5.33) scores. The relationship of EPT to HBI scores was not investigated statisti- cally due to problems of sample size and interdependance of monthly sam­ ples, but graphical analysis no consistent relationship. This sug- gested a decoupling of the the EPT and implied that the gain in taxonomic resolution achieved by adults outstripped the resolution of the HBI. Use of the HBI to characterize adult aquatic insect communities is discouraged. New state records and extensions for Ephemeroptera and Trichoptera are presented and loss of sensitive Plecoptera in the drainage is discussed

Summer Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera (EPT) Species Richness and Community Structure in the Lower Illinois River Basin of Illinois

Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera (EPT) species richness is useful for monitoring stream health, but no published studies in Illinois quantitatively document EPT richness or assemblage structure. The objectives of this study were to characterize adult EPT richness and structure and relate these to relative water at eight stream sites (160-69,300 km3 area) in the lower Illinois River Adults were ultra-violet light trapped in June, July, and August 1997. Nutrient enrichment by nitrate and nitrite nitrogen was strongly evident, in smaller drainages, while critical loss of stable habitat was observed in water bodies. Seventy EPT species were identified from 17,889 specimens. Trichoptera were by far the most speciose (41 species), followed by Ephemeroptera (26), and Plecoptera (3). Caddisflies also dominated species richness across sites, contributing 18.0 of the average 28.9 total EPT species collected. Site EPT richness varied significantly (F =5.51, p 0.003, df 7), with smaller drainages supporting greater richness, generally. Differences were also evident for months (F = 21.7, p =0.0001, df =2), with June being lower (11.8 average) than either July (20.6) or August (18.1) values. Hilsenhoff biotic index (HBI) scores did not vary significantly across sites (F 0.7, p =0.7, df =7), but were different across months (F =5.4, p 0.02, df 2). June (4.23) and July (4.53) means were not different, but both were lower (of better quality) than August (5.33) scores. The relationship of EPT to HBI scores was not investigated statisti- cally due to problems of sample size and interdependance of monthly sam­ ples, but graphical analysis no consistent relationship. This sug- gested a decoupling of the the EPT and implied that the gain in taxonomic resolution achieved by adults outstripped the resolution of the HBI. Use of the HBI to characterize adult aquatic insect communities is discouraged. New state records and extensions for Ephemeroptera and Trichoptera are presented and loss of sensitive Plecoptera in the drainage is discussed

Recovery of Minerales Monclova Minas V

Methane issuing from a roof-bolt hole ignited when the hot bit was withdrawn. Similar ignitions have occurred in other mines. This one differed in that flames spread quickly, coal was ignited, and, after three futile hours of applying inadequate water and extinguishing agents, the mine was sealed. Fires are fuel and ventilation controlled. In this mine there was an abundance of methane, coal, and wood lagging. Recovery of the mine, therefore, depended on successful control of its ventilation. The recovery was done without anyone suffering a scratch; a remarkable feat considering the abnormal methane outflows and concentrations, the continuing evidence of on-going thermal reactions, and what once were inexperienced but now amongst the best mine rescuemen