'Go
forth, O Bhikkhus, for the good of the many, for the happiness of
the many, out of compassion for the world, for the good, benefit,
and happiness of gods andmen.' (TheBuddha)
When
we turn the pages of the history of Buddhism, we learn that
Buddhist missionaries gave the noble message of the Buddha in a
peaceful and respectable way. Such a peaceful mission should put to
shame those who have practised violent methods in propagating their
religions.
Buddhist missionaries do not
compete with other religionists in converting people in the market
place. No Buddhist missionary or monk would ever think of preaching
ill-will against the so-called 'unbelievers'.
Religious, cultural and national intolerance are unbuddhistic in
attitude, to people who are imbued with the real Buddhist spirit.
Aggression never finds approval in the teachings of the Buddha. The
world has bled and suffered enough from the disease of dogmatism,
religious fanaticism and intolerance. Whether in religion or
politics, people make conscious efforts to bring humanity to accept
their own way of life. In doing so, they sometimes show their
hostility towards the followers of other
religions.
Buddhism had no quarrel
with the national traditions and customs, art and culture of the
people who accepted it as a way of life but allowed them to exist
with refinement. The
Buddha's message of love and
compassion opened the hearts of men and they willingly accepted the
Teachings, thereby helping Buddhism to become a world
religion. Buddhist missionaries were invited by the
independent countries which welcomed them with due respect.
Buddhism was never introduced to any country through the influence
of colonial or any other political
power.
Buddhism was the first
spiritual force known to us in history which drew closely together
large numbers of races which were separated by the most difficult
barriers of distance, language, culture and morals. Its motive was
not the acquisition of international commerce, empire-building or
migratory impulse to occupy fresh territory. Its aim was to show
how people could gain more peace and happiness through the practice
of Dhamma.
A
sparkling example of the qualities and approach of a Buddhist
missionary was Emperor Asoka. It was during Emperor
Asoka's time that Buddhism spread to many Asian and
western countries. Emperor Asoka sent Buddhist missionaries to many
parts of the world to introduce the Buddha's message of peace.
Asoka respected and supported every religion at that time. His
tolerance towards other religions was remarkable. One of his
scripts engraved in stone on Asoka Pillars, and still standing
today in India, says:
'One
should not honour only one's own religion and condemn the religion
of others, but one should honor others' religions for this or that
reason. In 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 his own religion and condemns
other religions, does so indeed through devotion to his own
religion, thinking, 'I will glorify my own religion.' But on the
contrary, in so doing he injures his own religion more gravely, so
concord is good. Let all listen, and be willing to listen to the
doctrines professed by others.'
In 268
B.C., he made the doctrines of the Buddha a living force in India.
Hospitals, social service institutions, universities for men and
women, public wells and recreation centers sprang up with this new
movement, and the people thereby realized the cruelty of senseless
wars.
The golden
era in the history of India and the other countries of Asia--the
period when art, culture, education and civilization reached their
zenith--occurred at the time when Buddhist influence was strongest
in these countries. Holy wars, crusades, inquisitions and religious
discrimination do not mar the annals of Buddhist countries. This is
a noble history mankind can rightly be proud of. The Great Nalanda
University of India which flourished from the second to the ninth
century was a product of Buddhism. It was the first university that
we know of and which was opened to international
students.
In the past,
Buddhism was able to make itself felt in many parts of the East,
although communication and transport were difficult and people had
to cross hills and deserts. Despite these difficult barriers
Buddhism spread far and wide. Today, this peace message is
spreading in the West. Westerners are attracted to Buddhism and
believe that Buddhism is the only religion that is in harmony with
modern science.
Buddhist
missionaries have no need or desire to convert those who already
have a proper religion to practise. If people are satisfied with
their own religion, then, there is no need for Buddhist
missionaries to convert them. They give their full support to
missionaries of other faiths if their idea is to convert the
wicked, evil, and uncultured people to a religious way of life.
Buddhists are happy to see the progress of other religions so long
as they truly help people to lead a religious way of life according
to their faith and enjoy peace, harmony and understanding. On the
other hand, Buddhist missionaries deplore the attitude of certain
missionaries who disturb the followers of other religions, since
there is no reason for them to create an unhealthy atmosphere of
competition for converts if their aim is only to teach people to
lead a religious way of life.
In
introducing Dhamma to others, Buddhist missionaries have never
tried to use imaginary exaggerations depicting a heavenly life in
order to attract human desire and arouse their craving. Instead,
they have tried to explain the real nature of human and heavenly
life as taught by the Buddha.
http://www.sinc.sunysb.edu/Clubs/buddhism/dhammananda/281.htm
