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Global Peace – An Islamic Perspective ACET– Global Peace Project

Religious perspectives on peace

Religion plays an important role in the lives of many individuals, communities, and nations.

According to a study completed in 2012, eight out of every ten people in the world belong to
[6]
a religious group. Understanding the foundations of different religions and how they view
peace can help explain people’s differences and similarities. Differences between religions can

seem quite distinct, incorporating different beliefs in divine existence and various customs.

However, when different religions are studied closely, it can be seen that they have a great
deal in common.

At their core, religions exist to give purpose to individuals, and to help shape their lives for

the better. More specifically, every commonly practised religion preaches harmony, love, and

compassion. Most importantly, they all strive towards peace. For this book, we have selected
six commonly known and practiced religions, and explained their teachings and perspectives

on the topic of peace.

BUDDHISM

Dating back to the end of 5th century BC in the Indian subcontinent, Buddhism is a non-theistic

religion based on the teachings of Gautama Buddha, and has more than 300 million followers.
[7] Buddha, or “the awakened one”, is considered the enlightened teacher who taught a way

of life through a series of practices and beliefs. Buddhists believe in dharma, the right way of
[8]
living, and strive to achieve Nirvana, a state of mind where desires, delusions, and aversions
do not exist, leading to complete peace and stillness of mind.

Buddhism is commonly regarded as a very peace-loving and peaceful religion. Peace and

pacifism are key principles in Buddhism, as seen in many Buddhist verses.

“Through hatred, hatreds are never appeased; through non-hatred are hatreds always

appeased – and this is a law eternal.” (Verse 5, Translation from the Pali Dhammapada)

Three dimensions of peace are presented in Buddhism: inner peace, peace in the community,

and peace in the world. To achieve peace, Buddhists believe that we must be free of all forms

This free publication has been compiled by ACET–Global. Please feel free to use and distribute it as an original version without changes.

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