Page 73 - Applied Buddhism

available. statements, in the context of the marital relationship and especially
in intimate moments, are certainly true. But the husband would balk
We must also understand that very few people choose their own if asked to take an oath that there is absolutely no other woman
religions. Most people inherit a religion. And when you inherit a in the world as beautiful as his wife or no other woman whom he
pluralistic religion, you need not have to offer an explanation as to could possibly love and marry. That would be using a different kind
why you adopt a pluralistic religion, you simply do so proudly, very of language in a very different context. (Quoted from Paul Knitter).
much the same as when you inherit an exclusive religion.
So a more rational approach would be to follow the following
This is best illustrated by the remarks made by Rigoberta advice given by the Buddha: “If a person has conviction, his
Menchu (The Nobel Prize laureate from Guatemala), “My mother’s statement, ‘This is my conviction,’ upholds the truth. But he doesn’t
religion was the Mayan faith, and my father was a Catholic. We, yet come to the definite conclusion that ‘Only this is true; anything
their children, learnt the two ways of intense prayer and belief from else is worthless.’ To this extent, Bharadvaja, there is the upholding
them. The Creator knows how to deal with that”. So what we see as of the truth. To this extent one upholds the truth.” (MN95)
an epistemological problem is not a problem at all, at least for the
pluralists. Conclusion

The exclusivist approach – For those people who adopt the Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to conclude my short
exclusivist approach, they would like to maintain that their religion presentation with two important messages: firstly, we must
is more superior. But is this rational? Before one can claim that acknowledge and accept the truth of diversity, and secondly,
one’s religion is superior to that of others, one should study all whatever your approach in dealing with diversity, follow the Golden
other religions as well, but this is not done in most cases. Most Rule. “Do not do unto others what you do not wish others do unto
exclusivists simply make the assertion that their religion is more you.” Live and let live.
superior without doing any comparative study. This is not rational!

A more reasonable approach would be for the exclusivist to
admit that they have not done any reasonable in-depth study of (A speech given to an international audience of youths at Universiti Pendidikan
all available religions but would like to make the assertion that a Sultan Idris, in conjunction with the World Interfaith Harmony Week. Organised
particular religion that they chose or inherited is “the best for me” by National Unity Department and Global Peace Festival. 7th Feb. 2012)
simply because that particular religion is most suitable for them.
This is akin to the language a husband would use of his wife, or a
boyfriend would use of his girlfriend, “You are the most beautiful
woman in the world… you are the only woman for me.” Such

060 Applied Buddhism Applied Buddhism 061