Buddhist culture

Local resident urges volunteerism Meditation Center to sponsor cultural educational meeting

By Mary Beth Garmon Progress Features Editor - Tayo na sa Pilipinas! Come, visit the Philippines! Master M.J. Hughes will be touring the islands soon, and he wants to take you along.
The trip is not simply one for pleasure, however; Hughes is a member of Amnesty International and the United Nations association, and his National Meditation Center for World Peace offers community development information regarding missions and volunteer opportunities overseas. Hughes will host an informative meeting Tuesday regarding travel overseas and opportunities for service or cultural enrichment. The 6 p.m. meeting will be held at the center, located on the Maydelle Highway just off Bolton Street. For information and reservations, call 589-5706. “We promote community development here and abroad,” Hughes said, “through youth and cultural advocacy. We make people aware of historical, cultural and religious differences.” Open for 16 years, the center works with several organizations locally, nationally and internationally to promote world peace, according to Hughes, who also lectures. “We speak on Asian cultures, making students aware of differences and country identities. We work with the local Asian community to promote businesses and spread diversity, encourage harmony and world peace,” he said.

“Many people are not aware that there are a lot of Filipino, Chinese and other Asian population groups here and in Tyler.” Hughes holds a master’s degree in technology and a bachelor’s degree in criminology. He said his background has helped him to interact with youth in the community. Hughes is a rank examiner and tournament director in judo competition. Through martial arts, such as jiu jitsu and classes on Asian history and youth development, young people visiting the center are exposed to education regarding cultural differences. His Web site, www.nationalmeditation.org, has had 30,000 visitors, and it is growing and expanding, he said. Volunteers are needed to teach English, and for missions work, relief work and sustainable development, which he said means work such as putting in water wells. His wife, Amie, is a member of the Philippines Tourism Board, serving to encourage others to study various cultures. The Tuesday meeting will be one of 30 set up in the United States by Idealist.org, a database of cultural, religious, and relief programs, Hughes said.

Mary Beth Garmon can be reached via e-mail to mbgarmon@jacksonvilleprogress.com