Exploring how Houses of Worship are connecting with their societies

Updated: Aug 22, 2019

Baha'i House of Worship Uganda — The community near the House of Worship in Kampala, Uganda, is reflecting on what it means to interact with a Temple, drawing on the power of prayer and divine guidance, Santos Odhiambo, the Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of Uganda, explains in the latest BWNS podcast episode.

In the second podcast episode about Baha’i Houses of Worship, Felipe Duhart and Eduardo Rioseco of Chile, Santos Odhiambo of Uganda, and M. A. Ghanbari of India explore the impact that Temples are having on visitors and on surrounding populations. Creating a sacred space open to all has given rise to greater consciousness of and action for the betterment of society.

Listen: Exploring how Houses of Worship are connecting with their societies The latest Baha’i World News Service podcast episode features insights emerging from some of the Baha’i Temples around the world. Listen to part one of the discussion here. Listen >

“Service is the way to transform ourselves and society,” explains Mr. Rioseco. “And in the Houses of Worship, really you can find many avenues to do that. It’s a question that each visitor and each person that interacts with the House of Worship takes home. How do we keep transforming ourselves and society—in our neighborhood, in our family, in our workplace? Wherever we interact with others this question accompanies us. And the Temple inspires us in all those places.”

The interviews followed a unique gathering last month at the Baha’i World Centre, where more than 30 individuals gathered to explore what is being learned about all 10 Temples currently in operation. The participants hailed from Australia, Cambodia, Chile, Colombia, Germany, India, Panama, Samoa, Uganda, and the United States.

Part one of their discussion can be heard here.