Christians and Buddhists must walk together ‘for the sake of peace’

By Linda Bordoni

Sending greetings to Buddhists on the occasion of Vesak, Cardinal Ayuso highlighted the shared responsibility of Christians and Buddhists in promoting peace, reconciliation and resilience.

In a message entitled “Christians and Buddhists: working together for peace through reconciliation and resilience” published Monday, May 6, the prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue reflected on the way in which the teachings of the two traditions underline the need to collaborative efforts to heal the wounds of humanity and the earth.

Escalation of conflicts around the world

Citing Pope Saint Paul VI's timeless appeal, “Never again war, never again war,” the Cardinal said it serves as an urgent reminder of how “the continued escalation of conflicts around the world calls for attention renewed attention to the crucial question of peace and deeper reflection. on our role in overcoming the obstacles that hinder its growth.

Noting that the search for peace requires “vigorous efforts” on the part of all, Cardinal Ayuso stressed the need “to strengthen our commitment to working for reconciliation and resilience.”

The cardinal stressed how the quest for lasting peace requires recognizing that true reconciliation cannot take place without addressing the underlying causes of conflicts and he stressed the importance of equity and justice in the political, economic and cultural spheres.

Forgiveness and reconciliation

Quoting South African Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who led his country's “Truth and Reconciliation” process as the nation struggled to overcome the injustice and wounds of apartheid, he said: “To forgive and reconciling does not mean pretending that things are different from what they are. . It's not about patting each other on the back and turning a blind eye to what's going wrong. True reconciliation reveals the horror, the abuse, the pain, the degradation, the truth.

Thus, Cardinal Ayuso said, the teachings of our respective traditions and the “exemplary lives lived by those we venerate” testify to the values ​​of reconciliation and resilience.

“When forgiveness is sought and broken relationships are healed, harmony is restored,” he continued, individuals and communities can emerge stronger from adversity and trauma.

This “powerful synergy that heals wounds and forges bonds,” he continued, offers hope for a better future and allows individuals “to meet life’s challenges with courage and optimism.”

Shared values

The cardinal then reflected on how both traditions offer profound insight into the nature of hatred and forgiveness.

While Buddha teaches that “hate can never be appeased by hatred in this world. It is only appeased by loving-kindness,” Ayuso noted that St. Paul exhorts Christians “to embrace the ministry of reconciliation initiated by God in Christ.”

As Buddhists commemorate Vesak, Cardinal Ayuso suggested invoking the wisdom of the venerable Maha Ghosanda – witness to the horrors of the Cambodian genocide and inspiration for the Dhamma Yatra peace pilgrimage – and Pope Francis, who “we also assures that “reparation and reconciliation will be necessary”. give us new life and free us all from fear” (Fratelli Tutti78).

In the encyclical Fratelli tutti, He explained, the Pope encourages those who were enemies “to learn to cultivate a penitential memory, capable of accepting the past so as not to obscure the future with their own regrets, problems and projects.”

All of us, concludes the Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, “are called to rediscover and cherish these values ​​which are found in our respective traditions, to make the spiritual figures who embodied them better known and to journey together for peace. »