Page 77 - Applied Buddhism

claim to believe, many of the problems, conflicts, and violence in In addition, nurtured by this delusion of Self, we see our religion
this world would disappear. If we really believe that all men and as perfect and superior to others, to the extent that we are prepared
women are creatures of the “Almighty” whom we submit ourselves to suppress others so that our religion eventually become the sole,
to, then we would not inflict any form of violence on them. If we perfect vehicle of salvation for all. Put in a softer tone, we would
truly believe that all men and women are endowed with the Bodhi like to see that all others are converted into our religion.
seeds of enlightenment, how could we bring ourselves to inflict
sufferings on them? The “self plus religion” becomes the greatest poison on earth.
It is for this reason that bloodshed, violence, and tragedies had
If we truly believe in our belief systems where we are advised occurred in the past.
to be kind to others, to be generous, and to love others, then we
would act accordingly. If we do not do those things but the exact This barrier of “us” and “them” must be dismantled. This is no
opposite, then obviously we will not believe in those teaching or easy task of course. To begin with, followers of all religions must
adhere to such belief systems. see others as human beings. No religion teaches us to discriminate
against other human beings. All religions claim to be universal,
You are what you believe in. You are what you worship, says meant for all human beings. If we truly believe in this claim, then
Dr. Maxwell Matz. If you really believe your religion stands for let us not divide between “us” and “them”.
peace and love, then you will act in a peaceful and loving way.
Secondly, there must be dialogue among followers of religions.
Transcending Religious Barriers (Religions cannot have dialogue, only their followers can). By
dialogue, I do not mean verbal dialogue alone. I mean there must
Human beings, driven by the concept of “Self”, tend to divide be greater interaction such as visiting each other during social
and classify themselves according to race, religion, nationality, etc. functions, festive seasons, and religious days. We must also be
This has not only led to division between “us “ and “them” but prepared to visit places of worship of other religions and pay our
also to callous disregard for the others – even to the point of seeing due respect.
others as enemies.
Let us all uphold the golden rule. Let us not try to compete in the
Because of this concept of self, we justify at all cost the market place of religion for more followers. To be fair, we should,
injustices and violence we commit on others, while we condemn out of our own conviction, preach our faiths, but let us not resort to
others for violating our human rights and injustice to our “kind”. unethical means and coercive approach. Unethical conversion is
We conveniently forget the Golden Rule of “Do not do to others one of the causes of violence in many parts of the world.
what you do not wish others do to you.”

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