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Editorial

2025 – A World in Search

of an Elusive Peace

As we start the new year in 2025, wars are still raging The Buddha’s teachings on self-control and respect
in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Sudan, and Ukraine where for all sentient beings are crucial in the international
thousands have since died. The amount of suffering is arena, as these are essential elements for good relations
quite unimaginable for these people. Unfortunately, and peaceful coexistence among nations. Just as living
diplomatic efforts by the big powers have not shown beings are inter-dependent on one another, nations
any success. More leaders are pursuing their ends too cannot exist independently of others. In Buddhism,
militarily, believing that it is at the battlefield and not we know this for a fact because of the teaching on the
at a negotiating table that they will win. It is hope that interdependent nature of our world. As such, nations
the United Nations, despite its many challenges, will must behave responsibly to have peaceful relations
continue to support efforts to bring peace to the world with others; otherwise, there will be no peace, and no
in 2025. happiness for their citizens.

The Buddha’s teachings emphasize peace and non- Many great Buddhist teachers, including the late Thich
violence, and is thus most applicable for the world Nhat Hanh and His Holiness the Dalai Lama, have said
today. In the Dhammapada, verse 5, it is said, “Hatred is that peace is an expression of compassion and caring
never appeased by hatred in this world. By non-hatred for others. Likewise, since every world leader wants
alone is hatred appeased. This is a law eternal.” History their citizens to enjoy peace and happiness; they should
has proven that hatred and revenge only continue a realize that this is only possible if they cultivate a
cycle of retaliation and never stop it. Instead, love and compassionate mind by fostering empathy, harmonious
acceptance can be used to resolve issues and bring relationships, and respect for others.
peace to the world. However, for peace to arise in the
world, it has to arise first in one self. This is inner The Buddha taught that we should self-reflect on
peace or peace in oneself that is achieved through the inter-dependent nature of our existence. When
mind training or meditation that uproots mental individuals realize that they are not independent
defilements that cause us suffering. This state of mind beings, but are instead part of a greater whole, they
is accompanied by tranquillity and happiness. When begin to learn to respect and tolerate the differences in
we have cultivated inner peace ourselves, we can then others. Whenever there is confrontation, there will be
spread peace outward to create peace in the world. conflict. We must work on developing harmony among
people. Peaceful relations are imperative within the
For nations, the notion of peace should be understood different communities, ethnicities, racial groups, and
as not just the absence of war, but the ability of their religions in the world.
people to live happily with their own social and
economic well-being. Peace cannot be divorced from
May 2025 herald a new era of peaceful co-existence
happiness. It is proven that wars only lead to suffering,
among all communities in the world.
whereas peace leads to happiness As such, leaders who
are now at war should seriously reflect and ask their
own people if they prefer war or peace, and I believe
Benny Liow Woon Khin
the answer is obvious – their citizens all want peace!