On March 20, Emmanuel College at Victoria University, University of Toronto,hosted a two-day interfaith conference titled "Transforming Wounds into Wisdom: Interreligious Perspectives on Moral Injury Through a Buddhist Lens." Led by Rev. Dr. HyeRan Kim-Cragg, Principal of Emmanuel College, the event was organized by Dr. Henry Shiu and Dr. Jennifer Bright. Over 50 scholars and religious leaders participated both in person and online to explore the intersection of moral injury and Buddhist teachings. In her opening remarks, Dr. Kim-Cragg reflected on Emmanuel College’s efforts in interfaith dialogue and highlighted the significance of the college’s Buddhist studies program, which marks its tenth anniversary this year.

Moral injury refers to the inner conflict and suffering that arise when an individual witnesses, commits, or fails to prevent actions that violate their moral beliefs, often leading to feelings of guilt, remorse, and ethical distress. Scholars at the conference examined moral injury across various contexts, including military service, healthcare, and gender oppression, fostering interfaith dialogue on the role of compassion and wisdom in addressing ethical dilemmas.

Venerable Chueh Fan, Abbess of Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto, was invited to present on Buddhist approaches to moral injury. Drawing from Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s teachings on the Six Paramitas and Five Precepts, she explained how Buddhist wisdom can transform suffering into compassionate action. Citing Dr. Lewis Lancaster’s definition of compassion, she emphasized that Humanistic Buddhism not only provides ethical guidance but also promotes self-healing and social care. She highlighted the principle of "turning suffering into joy, knowledge into wisdom, and delusion into enlightenment" through Buddhist practice and action.

Venerable Ru An led a guided meditation session, helping participants cultivate inner peace through mindfulness and breath regulation. She shared Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s Dharma words, encouraging attendees to integrate meditation into daily life as a means of overcoming suffering and fostering wisdom.

The conference featured diverse academic perspectives on moral injury. Marcin Fabjanski explored the psychological and physical impact of moral injury through Ajahn Sucitto’s forest meditation tradition, while Dr. Eleanor Pontoriero analyzed moral injury from a gender oppression perspective, critiquing the misuse of karma as a justification for social inequality. Linda Hochstetler, a Buddhist lay chaplain and registered social worker, examined the emotional challenges faced by healthcare professionals in end-of-life care and discussed how community support and spiritual care can help mitigate trauma.

In the afternoon session, Dr. Pamela McCarroll and Dr. Nazila Isgandarova presented Christian and Islamic perspectives on moral injury, highlighting faith, repentance, and community support as key elements in psychological healing. Military chaplain Stephen Morris discussed ethical dilemmas in warfare, while nurse Melissa Perez addressed the mental burden of healthcare workers facing systemic injustice. She also shared neuroscience research on the positive impact of meditation and mindfulness on psychological healing. AfrazBaksh explored moral injury within an Islamic framework, discussing ethical dilemmas related to justice and personal integrity. He presented real-life scenarios, such as whether to stay within a flawed system to advocate for change or leave to uphold one's values. He emphasized that Islamic healing approaches include seeking justice, advocating for social equity, and achieving inner peace through prayer (Salah) and repentance (Dua).

The conference concluded with a Buddhist book launch, where John Negru, Executive Director of Sumeru Publications, thanked various communities for their support and acknowledged Fo Guang Shan’s contributions.  He noted the growing recognition of Humanistic Buddhism in academic and interfaith discussions.

Through perspectives from Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam, the conference explored how compassion and wisdom can help individuals navigate moral injury, offering insights into personal growth and ethical resilience. The first day ofthe conference concluded successfully, with participants engaging in discussions and expressing enthusiasm for future interfaith collaborations inspiritual care and social ethics.