Page 64 - EH57
P. 64
Tolerance: What’s in a word?
By Vijaya Samarawickrama
Dharma Thoughts
In conjunction with the Metta It means ‘to suffer, to be’ or ‘to
Convention which was held in be done’ or ‘to put up with’. The
Putra Jaya on November 16-17, obvious implication of this is that
2018, the organizers also hosted the object ‘tolerated’ is somehow
an interfaith forum on the theme: painful to the person or group by
Opening of hearts: Embracing whom it is tolerated. This is the
Diversity of Cultures, Races and crux of the problem: the attitude
Religions. Eight panellists spoke of ‘putting up with’ something
briefly on their respective religions one regards as disagreeable and
(including the indigenous) and a even repulsive in the interest of
considerable amount of time was social harmony. Tolerance like this
taken up to touch on the subject of can be downright harmful and no
tolerance. Many speakers agreed number of alternative words will
Vijaya Samarawickrama is an with the Hindu representative who eradicate the deep-rooted sense of
accomplished Dharma educator, voiced his dissatisfaction with the superiority one cherishes regarding
teacher, and author. He retired after often touted slogan that religious one’s own set of beliefs in contrast
60 years of teaching in schools, tolerance is practiced in Malaysia. to the beliefs of others. This sense
colleges and universities. However, He argued that mere tolerance of superiority becomes even more
he continues to give Dharma talks of minority religions implied an dangerous when it is allowed
throughout the country, participates element of condescension on the to settle down to complacency
in inter-faith dialogues, speaks at part of the majority religion. Other because it will create enormous
various international seminars, speakers agreed with him and rifts in society overtime.
and writes for Buddhist books and suggested that alternative words
journals.
like ‘embrace’ or ‘empathize’ be How should Buddhists view this
used. The forum ended with no problem? (We say ‘should’ because
consensus which meant that we sadly, as recent events have shown,
were no nearer to finding a solution ‘Buddhists’ can be as intolerant as
to the problem which had plagued any of their co-religionists on this
our nation for sixty years. issue when power is in their hands.
We can ask this question in another
Perhaps due too time constraints way: According to the Dhamma,
the underlying issues behind this what should be our attitude
state of affairs were not addressed. towards those who profess views
Why is there a need for tolerance other than our own?
in the first place especially in
a religious setting where our The ultimate goal of the Buddhist
common humanity is always Path is the attainment of Wisdom
stressed? Perhaps an examination and Compassion by destroying
of the word ‘tolerance’ could help the three hindrances of Ignorance,
us see the problem in a clearer Greed and Hatred. Wisdom and
light. ‘Tolerate’ comes from the Ignorance are diametrically
Latin word which means ‘to bear’. opposed. It is when we view
