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ON RELIGION

Open Table to
focus on Taoism

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Star-Bulletin staff

Anyone who has heard about feng shui, the trendy art of possessions placement, knows a bit about Taoism, an ancient philosophy and religion of China.

"Taoists are intensively into that, what you can do to bring better energy to the house," said Dr. Lillian Chang. When furniture and other items are placed correctly, "it is natural and balanced and brings good fortune."

Chang will explain a bit more about the Tao, the Great Path through which the universe is moving, and what humans can do to be in harmony with it, at a public open house at the Taoist temple in Honolulu.

She will speak at 4 p.m. tomorrow at 2073 Hind Iuka Drive in Aina Haina. The temple is the latest stop along the Open Table Pilgrimage, an educational series of monthly visits to different churches and temples sponsored by an ecumenical discussion group.

Chang said the public is also invited to a 2 p.m. tea ceremony and a feng shui blessing that precede the lecture.

Feng shui is one of the practices that a believer would follow to "keep yourself balanced emotionally, spiritually and physically," she said. Prayer, meditation and ceremonial movement are used to focus energy and "put you closer to the path of your god inside your body." Astrology plays a part in the belief system, with special ceremonies and prayers tied to the lunar calendar.

Chang is a medical researcher at the University of Hawaii as well as a practitioner of Chinese medicine.

170 countries' churches to use Samoan touches on Prayer Day

The Church Women United organization will celebrate its World Day of Prayer 2001 Friday with Samoan language prayers and music.

The 6 p.m. services at First Samoan Church of Honolulu, 616 N. School St., and Samoan Congregational Christian Church -- Moanalua, 602 Turner St., are open to the public.

Samoan ethnic touches are not just planned for Hawaii, but will be used in 170 countries around the world, said Carolyn Winston of Honolulu. Each year, the international organization commissions the women of a different country to create a worship service to share with members worldwide, she said.

Krishna center's fund-raising feast to help Indian earthquake victims

A vegetarian feast will be presented on Sunday, March 4, to raise funds for people in India left homeless by the recent earthquake.

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness will sponsor the 6 p.m. banquet at the ISKCON Hawaii Cultural Center, 51 Coelho Way.

The minimum donation of $10 is payable at the door. The international society has distributed meals, medicine, bottled water and blankets to Indian refugees.