JAINA Convention 2007 07 Edison NJ

Author(s): Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA

Page 98

In doing good we are taught to bear witness to the joys and sorrows of all beings and circumstances. That is, we let ourselves completely feel what is happening to us and to the people around us. And this feeling tells us what we need to know in order to truly be of help. We are able to " create from another's suffering, our own usefulness".
We let dissolve the wall of defensiveness and pretense that often characterizes our relationships and allow ourselves a view of life from the other person's perspective. We do not need to agree with another's belief in order to understand the depth and sincerity with which they believe it. Even in strong disagreement we accept the fact of the existence of another point of view.
To cease from Evil is to see and directly experience our oneness as a living fact. Do Good is to see and embrace the myriad differences that make up this Oneness. We see more clearly that no matter how different we are in gender, race, religion, age, and circumstances we are connected. In this way, we prepare ourselves for interreligious conversation. We prepare ourselves for conversation with everyone who is not us, in other words, the entire universe.
From the Buddhist perspective it is essential and unavoidable that there be many religions. In a constantly unfolding world, there is the potential for infinite ways of being. In a universe unfolding according to the laws of cause and effect, the arising of one thing is dependent on the existence of another thing. There is no independently arising existence. We cannot exist apart from each other. Even in conflict, we remain interconnected Therefore we can cause each other great harm and we can bring each other great happiness. We are able to form the intent and make the effort to act in ways that bring others happiness...
we do not need to agree with another's
belief in order
to understand the depth and sincerity
with which they believe it. Even in strong
disagreement
we accept the fact of the existence of another
point of view.
In interreligious conversation we have the opportunity to nurture each other spiritually. The Sixteen Bodhisattva Vows-the vows of one who wishes to awaken themselves in order to assist in the awakening of others-begin with taking refuge in the Oneness of life's true nature, the diversity of life's true nature, and the harmonious interdependence of oneness and diversity, Oneness has no way of manifesting other than through diversity.
The last of these sixteen vows is the vow Not to Speak Ill of the Three Treasures-the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. In other words the vow not to violate oneness, diversity and the harmony of oneness and diversity. Another way of viewing this vow is to see it as a commitment to the universal community of beings. We are committing ourselves to honor the religious and spiritual practice of each person. In all practices, however diverse, we make an effort to understand and realize our relationship with an absolute that holds all possible differences and is beyond our description.<>
96
PEACE THROUGH DIALOGUE
14th Biennial JAINA convention 2007 Jain Education International