Buddhism and Peace
© Yeshe Chodon
I can add little to these eloquent statements.They were made for the occasion of Vesak this year, but are relevant to our times in general. To me these days, the world has gone insane and we have learned nothing from the last century. Where is non-violence? Where is spiritual awareness? Where is peace? As the Dalai Lama and others have said, the karma has ripened. What can we do but pray?
Message of Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the Day of Vesak, observed on 26 May 2002:
In this time of global uncertainty, Lord Buddha's vision of peace and of humanity's highest potentials may be more relevant than ever before. Indeed, if we want to have a chance of overcoming the many challenges that face us today -- in the fields of peace and security, development, and the protection of our global environment -- we must think beyond our narrow, short-term self interests, and raise ourselves to a universal perspective from which the well-being of the broader human community appears as important as our own well-being. Each of us shares the hope of a more peaceful, equitable and sustainable future. Our actions -- as individuals and as members of our communities -- must be guided by that common dream.
On this holy Day of Vesak, let us remember that whatever our origin, our race, our culture or our belief, we are not essentially different. Above all, we share the same home, a shrinking planet on which we are bound to live together. So, let us work together towards the common good and the harmonious and peaceful coexistence of all the world's people.
Dalai Lama warns war on terrorism could backfire The AAP, May 21 2002:
The difficulty with violence is (that) once you commit it, it's unpredictable," he said.At the beginning you may have certain intentions or certain aims but once you've committed violence then there's always a danger (it will get) out of control.
The Dalai Lama said the long-term solution to the terrorist threat was to concentrate on basic human values rather than force.
Sri Lanka President: 'Buddhism, an inspiration for peace' Sri Lanka Daily News, May 25, 2002:
Colombo -- The inspiration that can be drawn from Buddhism is immense in our present efforts to establish peace with dignity by ending the war, President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga states in her Vesak message.
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