Dr Mandeep Singh Azad, Dr Manmeet
Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama said, “The 20th century was a century of war and violence, now we all need to work to see that the 21st century is of peace and dialogue.
Almost every religion today has had to grapple with the challenge of agnosticism, atheism, humanism, as well as simple indifference to religion due to the accessibility and attraction of worldly pleasures.The true religious values are rapidly disappearing from the minds of men as they run in search of the occult and the mystical. The established great religions of the world are breaking into discrimination of forms and some people are even going all out to ridicule religion. The time has come for all religionists of today to get together to introduce religious values in their proper perspective, instead of merely arguing and quarrelling over the differences of religious ideologies and mythologies. The deep underlying purpose of all religions should be to encourage their followers to uphold and respect their own religion without in any way being disrespectful towards other religions .To this end , all enlightened and likeminded fellow religionists must unite and must establish mutual understanding ,mutual co-operation and tolerance amongst ourselves in order to achieve religious harmony is fashionable nowadays to talk of religious tolerance and its importance but few , if any , ever pin-point a practical way to achieve it. The first step towards developing this attitude is to eradicate a sense of superiority about one’s own religion, to eliminate mutual suspicion, religious prejudices and selfish motives, for the common good and upliftment of our respective religions.
Buddha Purnima, also known as Buddha Jayanti or Vesak, is celebrated every year on the first full moon of the Hindu calendar month Vaishakha. This day holds special significance as Lord Gautam Buddha’s birth anniversary, born as Prince Siddharth Gautam, in around 563 BC in Lumbini, present-day Nepal. Buddhists celebrate Buddha Purnima across the world with great fervour. This year, Buddha Purnima will be observed on May 23, 2024 (Thursday).
Buddha was primarily an ethical teacher and reformer, not a metaphysician. He disliked metaphysical discussions devoid of practical utility. Instead of discussing metaphysical questions, which are ethically useless and intellectually uncertain, Buddha always tried to enlighten persons on the most important questions of sorrow, its origin, its cessation and the path leading to its cessation. The answers to these four questions constitute the essence of the Buddha’s enlightenment. These have come to be known as four noble truths. They are: (a) Life is full of suffering (Duhkha), (b) There is a cause of this suffering (Duhkha-samudaya), (c) It is possible to stop suffering (Duhkha-nirodha), (d) There is a way to extinguish suffering (Duhkha-nirodha-marga).The first noble truth is life full of suffering. The very essential conditions of life appeared to be fraught with suffering-birth, old age, disease, death, sorrow, grief, wish, despair, in short, all that is born of attachment, is suffering. The second noble truth is that there is a cause of this suffering. Suffering is due to attachment. Attachment is one translation of the word trishna, which can also be translated as thirst, desire, lust, craving, or clinging. Another aspect of attachment is dvesha, which means or hatred. A third aspect of attachment is avidya, meaning ignorance.
In an era marked by global conflict and uncertainty, war between Russia-Ukraine, Palestine-Israel, India-Pakistan, Turkey-Armenia, the teachings of Buddhism offer profound insights and practical guidance on fostering peace, compassion, and resilience. The core principles of Buddhismis centered on non-violenceand the interconnectedness of all life, provide a framework for navigating the complexities and moral dilemmas that arise during times of war.
The Principle of Non-Violence (Ahimsa)
At the heart of Buddhism is the principle of ahimsa, or non-violence. This tenet urges individuals to abstain from harming others and to cultivate an attitude of kindness and compassion. In the context of war, this principle challenges the very foundation of conflict and encourages the pursuit of peaceful resolutions. Buddha’s teachings emphasize that true strength lies not in physical might but in the ability to remain peaceful and compassionate even in the face of aggression.Ahimsa extends beyond physical violence to include verbal and mental harm. It calls for the eradication of hatred and anger, which are often the root causes of conflict. By embracing non-violence in thoughts, words, and actions, individuals can contribute to a culture of peace that opposes the dehumanizing effects of war.
The Power of Compassion (Karuna)
Compassion, or karuna, is another cornerstone of Buddhist philosophy. It involves recognizing the suffering of others and taking action to alleviate it. In times of war, compassion can manifest in various forms, from providing humanitarian aid to advocating for the rights and well-being of refugees and victims of conflict.Buddha’s teachings encourage the practice of boundless compassion, which transcends boundaries of nationality, ethnicity, and religion.
Understanding and Wisdom (Prajna)
Buddhism places great importance on prajna, or wisdom, which involves understanding the true nature of reality. Wisdom also involves critical self-reflection and mindfulness. By cultivating an awareness of one’s own biases, fears, and desires, individuals can prevent these factors from contributing to the cycle of violence.
The Practice of Forgiveness
Forgiveness is a powerful practice in Buddhism, seen as essential for healing and reconciliation. In today’s time of conflict, war, terrorism, the wounds of conflict run deep leaving lasting scars on individuals and communities. Forgiveness offers a path to release the burdens of anger and resentment, facilitating the healing process.Buddha taught that holding onto anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; in the end, you are the one who gets burned. By letting go of grudges and embracing forgiveness, individuals can break the cycle of retribution and contribute to the restoration of peace.
Building a Culture of Peace
Buddhist teachings advocate for the active cultivation of peace at both individual and societal levels. This involves promoting values such as tolerance, dialogue, and mutual respect. Educational programs and community initiatives that spread these values can play a crucial role in preventing the escalation of conflicts and fostering a culture of peace.Buddhism also highlights the importance of right livelihood, one of the components of the Noble Eightfold Path.
The Buddha taught us about self-control, self-restraint, and tolerance, which, in the international arena, are also basic and essential ingredients for good relations and peaceful coexistence among nations. At present, when no nation can exist totally alone in this increasingly interdependent world, self-control and self-restraint are essential. As we celebrate Budh Jayanti, honoring the birth, enlightenment, and death of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, it’s a profound moment to reflect on the potential of interfaith harmony in fostering global peace. In a world fraught with conflict and division, the teachings of Buddha offer a timeless message of compassion, understanding, and non-violence. This day provides an opportune moment for all religions to come together, transcending differences to promote a common goal: peace.
(The authors are scientist SKUAST-J and SDM Dudu, Udhampur)
Follow our WhatsApp channel
