World of Philosophy

Author(s): Christopher Key Chapple, Intaj Malek, Dilip Charan, Sunanda Shastri, Prashant Dave
Publisher: Shanti Prakashan

Page 941

of non-violence. Violence is not overcome by further violence. It can be overcome by love, compassion, kind hearted-ness and removal of the causes of violence such as selfishness, envy, greediness, egoistic tendencies and indifference to the sufferings of others. We should not forge Lord Buddha's message that “Hatred never ceases by hatred, hatred ceases by love" IDhammapada. 5]. Again, peace is greatly promoted by good and harmonious inter-religious relations. One of the practical ways in which religions can help to build peace is through nourishing happy relations among themselves. Primary requirement in this direction is correct information about essential teachings of other religions. People of one religion can become better informed on another religion by open-minded conversation with friends of that other religion or by reading authentic books and by more and more inter-religious dialogues. Correct information is needed to remove ignorance and misunderstanding towards other religion and also to overcome or reduce centuries old prejudices. Another important thing is, religions should educate women and youth to form their consciences in favour of peace to open themselves to dialogue and peaceful negotiation. We should not forget that peace and youth fall together. When violence or war breaks out, it is above all women and young people who suffer most. Again, to promote overall human development is to prepare for peace. Various religions join hands to uplift the poor, down trodden, and disinherited and help them, to help themselves.
Religions will lay necessary foundations for peace, if they convince their followers that all life is sacred, it should be protected and respected in every moment of its existence. The edifice of peace at once so precious and precarious can only be grounded on the firm foundation of an ethic of solidarity, of a sense of belonging, of mutual love and respect for others. Religions have a potentiality to help to spread peace, because they all believe in love, compassion, brotherhood, charity, tolerance, avarice, etc. All our religions try to show us the path of righteousness and give us light and guide us to travel on that path. But one is not superior to another. This attitude alone would lead to equal respect for all religions, all paths and herald a creative relationship between faith and thought - an essential ingredient in pursuit of happiness.
The beneficial influence of true religion on social life is undoubted. Many societies, including those hither to accustomed to a sharp separation between religious and state affairs are beginning more and more to appreciate and contribution of the religions in various areas of social life: education, health, conflict prevention or resolution, social healing, and reconciliation after conflict, work for refugees, help to the poor people, so that they can improve their level of life and all-round human development projects. All this is a contribution to peace building.
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