Peace on Earth: Compassion and Peace Go Hand in Hand

By Hwasun Yangil Park

Buddhism advocates tolerance - to accept that there are differences in human experiences; that diversity is part of life, whether in experiences, cultural backgrounds or religions/faiths. Buddhism is the religion of compassion, mercy and forgiveness for all life forms.

It does not preach the superiority of its belief systems over those of other religions, nor does it believe in any sort of hierarchical ordering of faith systems; it does not discriminate against anyone, least of all on account of faith or belief. The recognition and embracement of diversity and pluralism and the resulting absence of any coercive or violent means for proselytising is the very essence of the humanism of Buddhism.

All life forms are treated as sentient beings of equal status, possessing innate dignity and potential for achieving Buddhahood. Remember, we are all brothers and sisters who eventually share the fruits of all our actions in an increasingly globalised world community.

Buddhism teaches us to practise behaviours and actions in everyday life to achieve the goal of true non-violence, love and collaboration. It is first and foremost practice, not scholarship. Those who recite sutras and mantras faithfully but neglect engaging in practice may, in fact, betray the true spirit of Buddhism.

All Buddhas of the past practised in the human realm, and their greatness showed in their behavioural manifestations. Throughout many lives, the Buddhas practised generosity, befriended all, suffered with all, and worked ceaselessly to alleviate suffering among all life forms.

The Sakyamuni Buddha taught a great many sutras and mantras and practised them in person for 49 years after his enlightenment. He taught and set the example for kings, ministers, farmers, men and women, children and people of all faiths. In this way, he engaged in social actions and established the tradition of humanistic Buddhism to purify people's minds and to help establish a 'pure land'. All Buddhas were role models in establishing the show- case of everyday practice of compassion and peaceful collaboration.

In order to emulate the Buddhas, we should first discover and cultivate our own Buddha nature, intrinsic dignity and the Bodhi mind, and the door to our ultimate freedom from worldly suffering. By discovering and cultivating this boundless treasure and resource, we can also help all other sentient beings rediscover their kindness, pure and boundless compassion, joy, equanimity, humility and gratitude, all of which they already possess.

Several small steps can be taken to make a beginning to help us find our true nature. Treasure life, your own and of others; show gratitude; respect nature; be aware of natio-nal resources; do not be greedy, be content.

We need to recognise our traditional responses to disorder and chaos. We tend to punish those individuals who are responsible for such disorders to serve as a deterrent to further aggravation. Punishment, however, can produce only temporary results. To transform violence to harmony, jealousy to praise, greed to generosity and impurities to purity, we must not rely on negative and reactive punishments. We must promote, in a proactive manner, mutual understanding and respect, compassion, collaboration and honest transactions among all people.

The same principles of mutual understanding via continuing dialogues, practice of concessions and international redistribution and aid systems need to be applied in the arena of international politics and economics. This will help reduce conflicts among different ethnic, national and religious groups.

(The writer is a Korean Zen Master)

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See also: Peace of Mind, Peace on Earth, Life and Beyond, Love and Happiness, Body Mind and Soul)