What
Buddhists Believe
Venerable K. Sri Dhammananda Maha Thera
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Buddhist
Missionaries
'Go forth, O Bhikkhus, for the good
of the many, for the happiness of the many, out of compassion for the
world, for the good, benefit, and happiness of gods andmen.' (TheBuddha)
When
we turn the pages of the history of Buddhism, we learn that Buddhist
missionaries gave the noble message of the Buddha in a peaceful and
respectable way. Such a peaceful mission should put to shame those who
have practised violent methods in propagating their religions.
Buddhist
missionaries do not compete with other religionists in converting people
in the market place. No Buddhist missionary or monk would ever think of
preaching ill-will against the so-called 'unbelievers'. Religious,
cultural and national intolerance are unbuddhistic in attitude, to people
who are imbued with the real Buddhist spirit. Aggression never finds
approval in the teachings of the Buddha. The world has bled and suffered
enough from the disease of dogmatism, religious fanaticism and
intolerance. Whether in religion or politics, people make conscious
efforts to bring humanity to accept their own way of life. In doing so,
they sometimes show their hostility towards the followers of other
religions.
Buddhism had no quarrel
with the national traditions and customs, art and culture of the people
who accepted it as a way of life but allowed them to exist with
refinement. The Buddha's message of love and compassion opened the hearts
of men and they willingly accepted the Teachings, thereby helping Buddhism
to become a world religion. Buddhist missionaries were invited by the
independent countries which welcomed them with due respect. Buddhism was
never introduced to any country through the influence of colonial or any
other political power.
Buddhism was the first
spiritual force known to us in history which drew closely together large
numbers of races which were separated by the most difficult barriers of
distance, language, culture and morals. Its motive was not the acquisition
of international commerce, empire-building or migratory impulse to occupy
fresh territory. Its aim was to show how people could gain more peace and
happiness through the practice of Dhamma.
A sparkling example of the
qualities and approach of a Buddhist missionary was Emperor Asoka. It was
during Emperor Asoka's time that Buddhism spread to many Asian and western
countries. Emperor Asoka sent Buddhist missionaries to many parts of the
world to introduce the Buddha's message of peace. Asoka respected and
supported every religion at that time. His tolerance towards other
religions was remarkable. One of his scripts engraved in stone on Asoka
Pillars, and still standing today in India, says:
'One should not honour
only one's own religion and condemn the religion of others, but one
should honor others' religions for this or that reason. In so doing, one
helps one's own religion to grow and renders service to the religions of
others too. In acting otherwise one digs the grave of one's own religion
and also does harm to other religions. Whosoever honors his own religion
and condemns other religions, does so indeed through devotion to his own
religion, thinking, 'I will glorify my own religion.' But on the
contrary, in so doing he injures his own religion more gravely, so
concord is good. Let all listen, and be willing to listen to the
doctrines professed by others.'
In 268 B.C., he made the
doctrines of the Buddha a living force in India. Hospitals, social service
institutions, universities for men and women, public wells and recreation
centers sprang up with this new movement, and the people thereby realized
the cruelty of senseless wars.
The golden era in the
history of India and the other countries of Asia -- the period when art,
culture, education and civilization reached their zenith -- occurred at
the time when Buddhist influence was strongest in these countries. Holy
wars, crusades, inquisitions and religious discrimination do not mar the
annals of Buddhist countries. This is a noble history mankind can rightly
be proud of. The Great Nalanda University of India which flourished from
the second to the ninth century was a product of Buddhism. It was the
first university that we know of and which was opened to international
students.
In the past, Buddhism was
able to make itself felt in many parts of the East, although communication
and transport were difficult and people had to cross hills and deserts.
Despite these difficult barriers Buddhism spread far and wide. Today, this
peace message is spreading in the West. Westerners are attracted to
Buddhism and believe that Buddhism is the only religion that is in harmony
with modern science.
Buddhist missionaries have
no need or desire to convert those who already have a proper religion to
practise. If people are satisfied with their own religion, then, there is
no need for Buddhist missionaries to convert them. They give their full
support to missionaries of other faiths if their idea is to convert the
wicked, evil, and uncultured people to a religious way of life. Buddhists
are happy to see the progress of other religions so long as they truly
help people to lead a religious way of life according to their faith and
enjoy peace, harmony and understanding. On the other hand, Buddhist
missionaries deplore the attitude of certain missionaries who disturb the
followers of other religions, since there is no reason for them to create
an unhealthy atmosphere of competition for converts if their aim is only
to teach people to lead a religious way of life.
In introducing Dhamma to
others, Buddhist missionaries have never tried to use imaginary
exaggerations depicting a heavenly life in order to attract human desire
and arouse their craving. Instead, they have tried to explain the real
nature of human and heavenly life as taught by the Buddha.
-ooOoo-
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Source: Buddhist
Study and Practice Group, http://www.sinc.sunysb.edu/Clubs/buddhism/
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Layout: Chan Duc - Nguyen Thao
Update : 01-11-2002
