Applicability of Buddhist Teachings to maintain the ‘Inter-religious Harmony’

Buddhism emerged in India where there was a religious pluralism. India had experienced both a cultural and religious diversity during the pre-Buddhist era. It is possible to uncover both religious and philosophical setting of the time that the Buddha introduces Buddhism when referring the Pāli Canon. This study mainly concern about the Brahmajāla Sutta, Kassapasīhanāda Sutta, the Mahāsaccaka Sutta, the Upali Sutta, the Udumbarikasīhanāda Sutta, the Madhupiṇḍika Sutta and the Sigālovāda Sutta. This study covers the relevant teachings to the ethics of inter-religious harmony and the exemplary policy of the Buddhist emperor for establishing inter-religious harmony. 

It has mentioned that there were sixty-two religions at the time of the Buddha. The ways that the Buddha used to maintain inter-religious harmony should be thoroughly studied to get its assist to solve the contemporary inter-religious issues. Contemporary societies are pluralistic, in the sense that there are many religions in the world and conflicts occur as a part of the differences among the religions. These conflicts are either verbal or lead for destructions. This study focuses on Buddhist principles that are used by the Buddha to avert inter-religious conflicts and to make inter-religious harmony. 

In the Brahmajāla Sutta, one part discusses the 62 beliefs, which were clung by ascetics in India. The hostile reaction of the Buddha can be seen in the story of the Suppiya Paribbājaka. When the Buddha showed how to face to that type of situations. The Buddha stated that when others speak dispraise of him, one should not give way to resentment, displeasure or animosity against them. The Mahāsaccaka Sutta has stated that how Saccaka saw the reasonableness of the Buddha’s views. He saw the difference in the attitudes of the Buddha and the other religious leaders who were contemporary to the Buddha when dealing with opposed beliefs. The Buddha remained calm and undisturbed when his position was challenged. 

In the Upali Sutta of the Majjhimanikāya describes how the Buddha convinced his correctness. Although he immediately comes into a conclusion by expressing his faith on Buddhism, the Buddha advised him to further examine relevant things and to arrive at a conclusion. In the Udumbarikasīhanāda Sutta, the Buddha discusses asceticism with the ascetic Nigroda. This sutta is prominent where the inter-religious resentment was prevalent. The Kassapasīhanāda Sutta consist dialogue between religious teachers/ skilled debaters who were belong to the religious community at the time of the Buddha. The Buddha has mentioned by thoroughly studying the diverse views of other religious debaters that he agreed with some points but disagrees with others.  In the Madhupiṇḍika Sutta, the Buddha taught people to stay without involving into conflicts. This study covers the relevant teachings to the ethics of inter-religious harmony and the exemplary policy of the Buddhist emperor for establishing inter-religious harmony. The Buddhist rulers have refrained from engaging one’s right to decide on their religious believes. 

When it comes to the contemporary Sri Lankan context, ‘peace and harmony’ is the theme that should be given priority. After the Easter attack (on the 21st of April) Sri Lanka faced a disastrous situation because that leads to a disharmonious situation. This study covers what Sri Lanka needs in the present society that is to make harmony among religions. The Buddha he himself had proved the ways that should be used in order to be in harmony with other religions.  

Conclusion 

The Buddha did not say that promoting inter-religious harmony means accepting that every religion as necessarily true regardless of their religious diversity. However the Buddha did an exemplary act when making inter-religious harmony among people. Sri Lanka needs some principles that are able to be followed by all the religions in the purpose of making inter-religious harmony. Some of the qualities of the Buddha on making inter-religious harmony can be listed as following. 

-Respect other religious leaders/ religions

-Act as an exemplary leader

-Respect other’s views

-Do not go for conflicts

-Trying to solve conflicts with a harmonious manner

References 

chandavimala thero, R. (2005). Buddha Nithi Sangrahaya. Pokunuvita: Sri Vinayalankaramaya.

Dammadassi thero, A., Wijithadamma thero, M., & Mahinda thero, A. (Eds.). (2016). Prabuddha. Wadduwa: Sri Lanka Pali Granta Samagama.

Dharmasiri, G. (1998). Fundamentals of Buddhist Ethics. Central, Sri Lanka: Paramita International Buddhist Society Ltd.

Jayathilake, K. N. (1963). Early Buddhist Theory of Knowledge. New Delhi, India: Motilal Banarsidass.

Saddatissa, H. (2016). Facets of Buudhism. Kandy: Buddhist Publication Society.