New Building Will House Church Study

A center for the study of world religions, dedicated to the "sympathetic study" of leading world faiths, will be constructed by the University in the near future. Although final plans have not yet been settled for the structure, ground breaking will probably be held late this fall.

Approximately 17 scholars at a post graduate level will live together in the new center, now being planned by Jose Luis Sert, dean of the School of Design. In addition to taking courses at the University, the group of scholars--which will include Americans as well as foreigners--will have the opportunity for "informal discussion," Samuel H. Miller, dean of the Divinity School, stated yesterday.

A gift of $500,000 "to encourage spiritual communication between men of different religious faiths" will make the construction possible. By means of a "sympathetic study of the religions of the world," each scholar in the center "may gain a clear insight and firmer faith in the truth of his own religion," according to terms of the donation.

Robert H. L. Slater, professor of World Religions, emphasized that Harvard had been chosen as the site of the new center "due to the facilities and scholars now at the University." He cited the number of professor at Harvard already engaged in studies of comparative religions and the extensive program of language studies as factors in the decision.

Pilot Projects in Action

A pilot project including representatives of four religions has been set up this Fall. A Brahmin Hindu from India, a Burmese Buddhist who has lectured at the New International Center of Buddhistic Studies, a Pakistani Buddhist monk, and an American Christian participate in the program.

"This pilot program has proved the value of students living together," Slater commented. Using a house at 38 Huron Ave., the four scholars, plus a graduate of the a Divinity School, have held several informal discussions on religion.