Temple of Understanding: Achieving Peaceful Coexistence among Individuals, Communities, and Societies through Interfaith Education.

Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras*
Madalyn Garibaldi*
Sir Zafrulla Khan*
Henry Luce, III*
Thomas Merton*
Jawaharlal Nehru*
Tenko Nishida*
H.H. Pope John XXIII*
H.H. Pope Paul VI*
Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan*
Eleanor Roosevelt*
H.E. Ambassador Zenon Rossides*
Anwar Al-Sadat*
Dr. Albert Schweitzer*
S. Zalman Shazar*
H.E. U Thant*

* Deceased

Symbol Of Interfaith Unity by artist Thetis Blacker. Batik painting made for the
Temple of Understanding's 45th Anniversary.

The Tree of Life bears twelve multi-colored fruit hanging from the branches. The leaves
of the tree are olive leaves and symbolize peace and hope. The branches spring from
the one stock, the trunk. Living sap moves through and up the boughs, as indicated by
the undulating serpentine central vein. Four roots of the tree grow from the four
directions of the world, while four rivers of vital water flow outward to all people of the
earth. The fruits of the tree represent different faiths, each linked in harmony. Each fruit
contains the seed of propagation and is surrounded by a circle of white radiance
indicating the sacred nature of faith, hallowed by the ineffable. Above the tree hovers
a dove, holy symbol of peace and love. It roosts in the midst of the tree, bringing divine
blessing upon all in unity.