Buddhist contribution is essential to the furtherance of

Tolerance among Ethnicities.

G S Charith priyadarshana
Priyadarshana20@gmail.com
+94778870032
Introduction
Buddhism is an important cosmic religion in the world because there are many kinds of
teachings, philosophical views also. Those are based on the Philosophical, Moral and ethical
background of Buddhism. The basic invitation for the Buddhism is, Lord Buddha said; come and
see (Ehipassiko) then everybody can understand what the Buddhas great view about human
beings is and His view on the

the Universe system. And the other thing is Attanam

upamankattva which means living and behaving in the world and understanding everything and
every being in the world. They have own rights and those are presented by the nature. For an
example if someone cuts my hand what would be the feelings of my mind. That may be so sad
and it will be disappoint me. Then it is the experience about me, and then would others not feel
the same? Of course everyone has lovely feelings about own life and body, its the nature of
human beings. According to Lord Buddha, first we must understand the humanity of human
beings then people can live without fears and tears. Whats the wrong with this, this is the
Buddhism. The Religion is not a label of people and it establishes peace and morality in human
beings. The problem is people do not understand the meaning and significance of the word of
religion. Everyone is following and trying do promote their religion and discourage others
religions. This is the cause of fundamentalism and religious terrorism. If people can achieve only
the positive thoughts of religious teachings, that is the requirement of the world. For an example
Lord Buddha never said to convert people in to Buddhism. The basic address is the Ahipassiko
because the religion or Humanity is not a fundamental teaching or forcible teaching. Buddha had
understood the meaning of religion and humanity therefore Buddha never said to convert people
in to Buddhism. Buddhism is considered as the free thinkers philosophy because there is no
barrier to the thoughts of human mind. According to Buddhism any kind of follower should have
to resolve the doubts or apprehensions in their mind; what they believe. Through the discussion

between Lord Buddha and people of Kalama, we can understand that Lord Buddha believed and
understood the rights of human beings.

Couse of Religious violence

When we consider about the religious violence, Terrorism and wars of the world then
people may be able to understand its bad influences for the society. Firstly people must think
why we need the existence of the peace in our society then we can understand the significance of
peace because through these violence or war many peoples became disappointed. What are the
benefits of killing, doing bloodsheds, and doing more disasters, for results for the society? The
common thing is the religious fundamentalism and terrorism is the raising problem in current
world. For these situations, the answers also should be given through the religion. Because the
main purpose of religious teaching, commonly accepted meaning is, every religion should have
practical and methodological answers and advices for followers to cultivate peace and harmony
in their mind, religious tolerance helps to resolve the causes of religious violence and terrorism
and ultimately it should be helpful to prevent from suffering but many theistic religions do not
understand the main purpose and they have forgotten their religious ethics, tolerance and peace,
and they help to grow up the wars, terrorism and violence in their society. For an example; the
attack between Israel and Palestine, Iraq and Syria, Christianity fundamentalism through the
western political power, ISIS,

al-Qaida; all these cause religious violence are raised the name

of theistic religions. But in Buddhism there are many teachings, for the worldwide social
problems and to cultivate peace and religious harmony and tolerance. People, who follow
Buddhism and its practical teachings, can create a calm and peaceful mind because we can find
many examples and teachings from Buddhism for these current social conflicts.
When there is love, love for life, love for nature, then there will be no hatred no evil and
no war. As Buddha preached on so many occasions, hatred begets hatred and the best antidote
for hatred is mett (friendship) love. That we can understand clearly following this verse in
Dhammapada;

Nahi verena verni sammantdha kudcanam

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Averenaca sammanti sa dhammo sanantano

(In this world, hatred can never be appeased by hatred.
Hatred can only be appeased by love. This is the Eternal Law)

Akkocchi mam avadhi mam ajini mam ahasi me

Ye tam upanayhanti veram tesam na sammati
Another well-known gth in Dhammapada teaches, as long as people hang on to
resentment, saying he insulted me, he hit me and so on, and then their hatred will never come to
an end. This is a good example for us to consider that Buddhism and the Buddhas teachings
could still be used to cultivate peace in the world to save humanity. When the world is about to
experience atrocities of the imminent 3rd world war, world leaders could learn from Buddhism
and ensure peace in the world. First thing would be cultivating peace within our minds. Peaceful
minds can guide everyone to live in harmony.
As the Buddha often pointed out for the world peace, we must first cultivate peace in our
mind. We must not cause any harm to ourselves; that is where we must start being friendly or
having mett within ourselves and in the world. The simple Buddhist followers also transfer
merit to others in their daily life, they wish;
Devo vassatu klena sassa sampatti hetu ca
Dhko bhavatu loko ca rj bhavatu dhammikho
Idamme atinam hotu sukhit hontu tayo
(May the rains rain in due time! May the harvests be bountiful!
May the world be satisfied! May the king be righteous!
Let this be for my relatives! Let my relatives be happy)
As this suggests it is clear from these wishes Buddhists pray for the prosperity and peace
in the entire world. Here the world includes, the living, the dead, invisible beings like the dead
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and departed, Gods, Brahmas, Asuras and every imaginable being not only of this world or this
universe, but also those of innumerable universes. This is the Buddhist view about the world but
this is not only Buddhists but also whole world. Thats why Buddhism is considered as a cosmic
religion and Philosophy. What humans need from religion this is the common purpose should be
on religious teachings. And we can find definitions also talking about the violence of the world
like follows;
I define violence as that, which harms, debases, dehumanizes or brutalizes human
beings, animals or the natural world; and the violent person, as one who causes harm in speech
or action, either directly or indirectly, or whose mind is filled with such thoughts1
When we consider about the war that is the parasite conflict for the way of peace
everywhere, wherever we look on the globe, smoke of raging battles is rising to the sky.
Especially in Middle East people are dying in their hundreds of or thousands. In Afghanistan, the
Taliban and in Iraq and Syria ISIS, does not tolerate any religion except Islam. The ISIS
Terrorist groups burned alive hostages, and Jordan, in retaliation, killed a large number of IS
prisoners in their country. So this is what the Buddha said hatred begets hatred. This is the
correct religious requirement of the world.
When we consider about the Buddhist concept of war, the Buddha has never approved it,
Buddha was full of praise of the ruling system followed by the Licchavi kings. They were
invincible by the neighboring kings because they practiced seven aparihaniya dhammas. Buddha
explains to nanda those seven unique virtues of the licchavi kings. This was an example of how
Buddha taught the value of peace and futility of war.
Once the Buddha taught how valuable is life comparing it with the value of water. This
was when his relatives, the Sakyans, and the Koliayans, were prepared for war over the rights to
the water of the river Rohoni. Buddha went there and stayed in the middle, between the two
armies. Upon seeing the Buddha soldiers dropped their weapons and knelt down. Then Buddha
asked them a question as to why they were going to kill each other. They answered that it was for
the right of water. Buddha asked them, what is more valuable, water or blood? They answered
blood and the Buddha made matters clear saying that it was pointless wasting invaluable blood

for the sake of water which could be valued. Thus without talking directly about peace, Buddha
taught the value of peace and futility of war by example.
The great Indian emperor Asoka, who was engaged in war, for enlarging his territory, but
after his war in kalinga, where thousands of men were killed and thousands were as taken
prisoners, Asoka was disgusted and gave up war. After converting to Buddhism, he preached a
doctrine of love based on Buddhist teachings. As he has said sava munisa me paj all men
(whole people) are my children. With this attitude towards people, Asoka switch from normal
war to dharma yuddhe. He gave up military campaigns and took up dharma vijaya wich
means victory through Dharma. The cruel ruler king dharmashoka changed his ruling policy
according to the influence of Buddhism because the teachings about the rulers and politics, in
Buddhism has a righteous guidance.
Through these examples and advices from Buddhism and the understanding the situations
of violence, it is easy to cultivate, people are on confused situation about the peace, because if
there was a war both parties are fighting to achieve victory but they do not think about the
disaster of humanity. Why people cannot understand the real humanity and futility of war for
these all questions Buddha had given calm and peaceful answers like above.

Religious diversity and Buddhism

The religions in the world were originated in different areas of the world. And there are
many types of religions we can find from these world societies. Mainly through those religions
we can understand as eastern and western. According to these categories people are following
the theistic and atheistic. On this situation we can see different types of religious teachings and
scriptures. Through these religious backgrounds of the world commonly followers have
categorized as their religious labels. The religious diversity is we can find through these religious
labels according to followers. In eastern society we can find Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism,
Taoism and Confucianism and more. In western and Middle East society we can find
Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam and more. According to these various types of
religious cultures there are different religious believers and ritual systems. On this religious
situation, the religious tolerance and Harmony is the most important fact because when we
consider about religious terrorism or something, the common cause of issues is we can find that
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people are not used to tolerate the ethics. Then they cannot tolerate others Religious freedom.
Then criticisms aroused in the society. At this point as human beings we must understand a thing
on behalf of humanity, what is, that every person has their own religious ethical and moral rights
to live as a human being on this Earth then why cant we tolerate others senses. When we are
living on the society we cannot reject or condemn others beliefs or faiths.

This is the situation what we should talk about the religious diversity because if people
could not understand this basic situation of the society it may be sometimes the third world war.
Then we can turn to the teachings of Buddhism. Commonly religious purpose should be like that
but practically we cannot find those features especially in theistic religions. Lord Buddha
revealed to the world how they can prevent from the sufferings of the life. On this situation the
main purpose of Buddhism is befriend to human being to cultivate humanity and prevent from
suffering life. And there is no fundamentalism. There is no purpose to spread the Buddhism like
the mission of other theistic religions. The basic teaching of Buddhism, is not only for Buddhist
but also important to other religious followers also.
When we consider about the religious diversity in society it is the most important
because for an example many countries have ethnicities according to that country. On this
situation those ethnicities have created according to Religion or Language. The meaning of the
religious diversity is also same with religious ethnicity. We consider about the multi-religious
societies in the world, peaceful and ethical background is very important. If that country cannot
maintain or to tolerate background of these religious ethnicities on society or on country, that
may be movable, and then arises many problems on that society. In accordance with the teaching
of Buddha, each of the individual sentient being is unique because each one is different from all
others. Each one differs from the other in capacity, likes and dislikes, taste and temperament etc.
then any one single religious doctrine will not be suitable for every individual. Therefore,
Buddha himself taught a number of different teachings within Buddhism itself.2 We can find
these basic features from other religions also but especially in Buddhism. That we can
understand through the discussed story of Upali gruhapathi with the Lord Buddha. Upali is the
main benefactor of Jainism, once a time he came to Buddha and discussed with Him an after
upali understood the legalistic philosophy of Buddhism at that time Buddha taught to him, you
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should not give up alms-giving etc. for Jainism continue it because you understood the
Buddhism you should not follow that or should not convert in to Buddhism, because Buddhism
is an cosmic truth about the life and world. And after the enlightenment of Lord Buddha, he did
not try to meet the Buddhists because Buddhism is a new philosophy at that time and there were
non-Buddhist people but Lord Buddha preached his great and ultimate cosmic doctrine for the
world and intelligent people did not reject it. According to all these facts Buddhism is we can
consider Buddhism as an example for the peaceful religious diversity background.

An approach to peace from Dhammapada

That people can understand the Buddhist social view about the peace in the world
through the Dhammapada and that is considered as the hand book of Buddhists because it has
been included with most important advices for the human life through simple verses but those
verses include deep philosophical teachings. This has interpreted the nature of human mind and
its characteristics. The human mind is one of the main roots for the arising conflicts. Until we
attain ultimate truth, we should have felt not only physical suffering but also psychological
suffering. Buddhist teachings are related with final happiness. Conflicts are raised because of
those sufferings. The Buddha has prescribed to human beings, how to live happily and how to
avoid from conflicts. It is clearly mentioned by Buddha as follows;
rogya param labh

physical well-being

Santutthi paramam dhanam

mental well-being

Visss paramti

social well-being

Nibbnam paramam sukham3

spiritual well-being

As mentioned above, Dhammapada, sukha vagga has given very significant illustration
to understand what is happy is? Physically, mentally and social disorders are main change to the
human beings happiness. And can we find like these cosmic calm and peaceful teachings from
other religions (theistic)? Therefore this is the situation people are following the Buddhism.
When happiness was lost from the mind, conflict is arising. Spirituality is the best answer for
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those entire problems. To resolve conflict, mental happiness is better than others. Because mind
is the main root stage that conflicts arises in society. Therefor Buddhism teaches very important
ways to solve the conflict. That means, every people has responsibility to concentrate their mind.
It will be a great opportunity to reduce problems in the world.

Sabbe tasannti dandassa sabbe bhyanti maccuno

Attnam upamam katv na haneyya na ghataye4
(All trembles at violence, all fear death; comparing oneself with others,
One should neither kill nor cause others to kill)

jayam vram pasavati dukkham seti parjito

upasanto sukham set hitv jaya parajayam5
(Victory breeds hatred, the defeated lives in pain. Happily the peaceful lives,
giving up victory and defeat)
These both verses in danda vagga and sukha vaga of dhammapada hav given better paths
to human beings. There is no safe place or country in the world today that is free from danger.
There was war and bloodsheds even in the past but that was not at a global level as it is now.
This question has been burning the minds of the human beings from a long time. People are
doing robberies, doing bloodsheds and killing, women are harassed and raped every day,
countries charge each other and threaten to destroy by exploding nuclear bombs. The danger of
complete annihilation is looming over the mankind. If in 1945, nuclear bombs fell on the
Japanese cities, Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing at least 300,000 people, it could happen again
anywhere in the world. One of the powerful countries or its leader has been threatening recently
of nuclear attacks on neighboring countries. Russian fighter jets equipped with nuclear bombs fly
over Europe. According to some theories about the possibility if highly developed human
civilization on the Mars and its destruction, or rather complete wiping out of that civilization,
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most probably as a result of nuclear war.6 Could annihilate that magnitude not happen on our
planet sooner or later? This paper, trying to prove that Buddhism has solutions to the burning
questions of war the ability to establish peace in the modern world.

An approach to peace from five precepts

We must not think only of destructive wars, chemical wars, atomic bombs which could
wipe out humanity and other forms of life on the earth, but also of mans violence against plant
life, against atmosphere in general too could cause irrecoverable damage. We can say the basic
precepts in Buddhism, the five precepts (panca sila) to start with, is a good beginning for those
who search for a way of avoiding war and creating peace in the world. The first precept in the
paca sla is abstinence from taking life or killing. Morning and evening, Buddhists observe
these precepts, to stop killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, taking alcohol, and telling lies.
Anybody can understand that if one abstains or prevents from these vices; killing, stealing,
sexual misconduct, addiction to alcohol and telling lies there will be peace of mind of the
individual and, if the world is filled with such persons, there will be permanent peace.
Through these five precepts step by step we can discuss because there are many kinds of
ethical and moral values. The five precepts do not essentially make and individual Buddhist.
They are the basic ethics observing by Buddhists in day to day life. Some people believe that
these are the basic ethical foundation of Buddhism but this is not the final script or ultimate goal
of Buddhism. The basic fundamentals of Buddhism are deeper and philosophical than this. And
through observing these precepts anybody can start the way to the ultimate reality and deeper
philosophical stages of Buddhism. And this is the better begging path of the way of life. we can
understand as follow;

Dont take life

Everybody loves their own life and you are no one to take it away from other. Just like you like
your life, all others do too. So, live and let live. Do not get involved in any kind of violent
activities to harm others life.

Dont take whats not given

This precept simply emphasizes on staying away from the practice of stealing. If
something does not belong to you or is not given to you, it is not yours and you do not have the
right to use it without permission.

Dont do sexual misconduct

This precept can be arguable and different cultures describe it differently. And this is
anybody cannot argue, as an unethical or unsuitable fact for any type of society. However, this
precept is an advice to avoid unethical sexual relationships and nurture an attitude aimed towards
gender quality.

Dont do false speech

Avoid lying, if you lie, you will not only harm the other person but also harm your own
self.

Remain clear headed

This may also be debatable for different individuals but the fact remains the same that any
intoxicant reduces the ability of a person to think and act appropriately. So does anger, temper,
desire and distrust.7
These are the basic facts of Buddhism which should be followed by anyone who wants
peace and happiness in life. Not following these rules is also the main cause of violence on the
earth. If all the human beings understand and believe in those rules then there will be a very
beautiful world with peace. In any religious view unnecessary killing of any living beings and
not just human beings are not recommended but these days there are many people who kill many
innocent beings in the name of their religion. It only leads to more violence and violence of
different kinds.

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We can understand on the other hand the five precepts clearly and then anybody can
understand why we need these precepts? What is the significance of those? It is as follows;
Avoid killing

respect for life

Avoid stealing

respect for others property

Avoid sexual misconduct

respect for our pure nature

Avoid lying

respect for honesty

Avoid intoxicants &

respect for a clear mind

Practice Control over emotions

These are the essential interpretations about the five precepts or the basic ethical
guidance of Buddhism. The importance of this is not only for Buddhists but also for the whole
society.

Conclusion
Through this whole discussion what Buddha had said belongs to Buddhism? This is the
point we must understand. The whole Buddhism is extract with the teachings of humanity and
peace because it is the universal requirement. Without understanding about the humanity and
human quality by people the peace never comes in to this world. Why do not we tolerate others
religions and believes, why do not we respect for others rights, why do not we understand the
value of human life. Why do we evaluate the wealth and property than human beings and
universal natures and why do people always try to create bloodsheds and kill others? All these
are important and current issues, if people can tolerate different religions and develop respect
towards other religions also as people would towards their own religion, if people can learn the
comparative religious education, if people can stop competition between religions for
conversation, if people can ban condemn to other religious faiths or beliefs, if people can stop the
evaluation on conversation about the nuclear power and gun industry, if powerful countries can
stop the hunting affair with the poor countries in the name of religious missionary campaigns, if
whole people of the world can understand the human values without the religious labels and
fundamentalism, this world may not need the requirements of peace in a new way.

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Actually if somebody gave me a bad thing or thought why cant we return a good thing
or good thought, in present societies people are normally going against for a small doubt also,
because our mind is not train to accept peace, the mind naturally rejects the peaceful aspects.
Then according to the current requirements of the society, this is the tolerance and ethical respect
of Buddhism. Through the teachings of Buddhist social philosophy, people can understand the
religious and ultimate truth of the world. It is the significance of this work. People should never
try to develop nuclear power, they should try to cultivate humanity and human qualities then we
can create a pure and peaceful mind and ethical and respectful society. Then the whole world
may be a peaceful paradise and the future world may be beautiful than today and people never
hear a sound of war or disaster. The natural environment may also treat us than today. Then the
human and whole beings and environment will laugh with a peaceful wind.

End notes
1

Elisabeth J. Harris, violence and disruption in society, a study of early Buddhist texts.

Somananda, omalpe., role of social work in building ethnic harmony through religions practice,
tolerance and harmony pg 184.

Religious

The Dhammapada. Trans. Acharya Buddharakkhita, p.84

Dhammapada, ibid 129

Dhammapada, ibid 201

Gyeltshen, Yonten., can Buddhism bring peace? (Religion and peace), Religious tolerance and harmony, P.450.

Zaheer, Noor., believing panchasila: outwitting terror, Religious tolerance and harmony, P.18.

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