The Role of Religion
in Promoting World Peace
By Ven. K. Sri Dhammamanda
Malaysia
Religion has a definite
role to play in people's search for world peace. The moral principles and
values contained in the teachings of great religious teachers are essential
factors for the reduction and ultimate eradication of greed, hatred, and
delusion—which form the root cause of various conflicts and wars, both within
and without. Within oneself, these three evil or unwholesome roots bring about
great unrest in the mind, resulting in physical outbursts of violence culminating
in global warfare.
The fact that war begins in
the minds of people is well recognized by certain peace-loving people. The
preamble to UNESCO's constitution says: "Since wars begin in the minds of
men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be
constructed." That is, if one wishes to have peace of mind, one must also
construct defenses of peace in one's own mind.
The world cannot have peace
until nations and people begin to reduce their selfish desires for more and
more material possessions, give up their racial arrogance, and eliminate their
madness for worldly power. Material wealth alone cannot bring peace and
happiness to the minds of people. The key to real and lasting peace lies in
"mental disarmaments"--disarming the mind from all kinds of
"poisonous" defilements such as greed, hatred, jealousy, egotism,
etc.
Religion not only inspires
and guides people but also provides them with the necessary tools to reduce
greed with the practice of charity; to overcome hate and aversion with
loving-kindness; and to remove ignorance with the development of wisdom and
insight in order to understand the true nature of beings and "see things
as they really are."
The negative aspects of
religion lie in the madness of some so-called religionists who try to convert
and win followers by hook or by crook, rather than adhering to proper
instruction
and guidance. The purposeful misinterpretation of scriptural texts for various
ulterior motives has led to religious persecutions, inquisitions, and "holy
wars." These terribly awful experiences have really marred the very name
"religion."
In the context of today's
spiritual need, religionists should work together in earnestness and not in
jealous competition with one another. They must work in harmony and cooperate
in the true spirit of service—for the welfare and happiness of the many. It is
only then that they can effectively influence the opinions of the masses and
truly educate the people with some higher values of life, which are very
necessary for peaceful co-existence and integrated human development.
Differences in religious
beliefs and practices should not hinder the progress of various religionists
working for a common cause, for world peace. Let all religions teach people to
be good and proclaim the brotherhood of humankind. Let religions teach people
to be kind, to be tolerant, to be understanding.
Enough suffering and
destruction have been caused by human "cleverness." It is time that
we pause and reflect upon the true values of religion and seek proper spiritual
guidance to develop our "goodness," to work for peace and harmony
instead of war and disunity.
For the cause of humanity
and for the cause of peace, let us hope that all our religious leaders will
stretch out their hands in friendship to one another and to all people
irrespective of race or creed—with a genuine feeling of love and
brotherhood--to work for a peaceful world and to work for humanity.
-End-
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