..续本文上一页Our hard work is very significant so as to let the next generation live without selfishness, fears and hatreds. These conditions, I believe, are very crucial factors in ensuring the growth of Buddhist spiritual development in each inpidual, regardless of their sects.

　　On a broader issue, each Buddhist disciple must be able to be the change agent to fashion a peaceful future with our brothers and sisters from different religions and spiritual practices. Similar to the major world religions, Buddhism promotes peace. I quote a verse from the Dhammapada verse five that states: "Hatred is never appeased by hatred in this world; by non-hatred alone is hatred appeased. This is an Eternal Law"[2] In addition to that, the last chapter of the Dhammapada disapproves of prejudicial distinctions because of favorable born-attributes.

　　"I do not call one a holy person because of one”s lineage or one”s high-born mother. If one has impeding attachments, one is just a supercilious person. But one who is free from impediments and clinging--such a one do I call a holy person"[3]

　　In the 8th century, a Mahayana poet, Santideva emphasized the above quote. In his great work, Bodhicaryavatara, he warned us about the dangers of hatred:

　　"There is no evil equal to hatred and no spiritual practice equal to forbearance. Therefore, one ought to develop forbearance, by various means, with great effort."

　　[4] Prejudices exist in different forms. As a human, we are entitled to like certain colors or sounds, to dislike certain behaviors, conditions or styles of doing things. Indeed, the ability to form judgments and make choices discriminate human beings from other living creatures.

　　The problem arises when our own inpidual likes and dislikes become inflexible and we tend to force our own views to others. We forget that everyone has the same right to exercise their own preferences. Globalization impacts every aspects of multicultural society, ethnic and racial prejudices, and therefore these factors become a very important issue. As the results, it is easy to plant hatreds all over the world. Wars are conducted in the name of holy religion. Indeed, these irresponsible actions are rooted to greed, anger, and infatuation.

　　I would like to share a thought from one of the outstanding citizens of the world, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I totally believe that his message, vision, and legacy belong to every human being who wants to fashion a more humane and just world. He gave us two options: to peacefully coexist or to destroy ourselves. His argument is based on the accumulation of prejudicial attitudes and behaviors that we generate each day. Because of these factors, we must learn to appreciate and value each other if we want to survive on this tiny planet that is our mutual home.

　　With humility and respect, I would like to propose the following point of views. I hope we can continue sharing perspectives which will promote the realization of peaceful environment in the era of globalization.

　　Respect

　　King Asoka from the Indian Mauryan dynasty defined how respect to other religions is the peaceful way to glorify one”s religion. To share this value so that it can be cherished by future generations, the King founded a Piyadasi Pilar that states:

　　"One should not honor only one”s own religion and condemn the religions of others, but one should honor others” religions for this or that reason. 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 their own religion and condemns other religions does so indeed through devotion to their own religion, thinking they will glorify their own religion. But on the con…

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