Buddhists and Christians: Praying for Peace
in the World
Message to Buddhists for the Feast of Vesakh 2003
Dear Buddhist Friends,
1. As the new President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious
Dialogue, the office of His Holiness the Pope for relations
with people of different religious traditions, I wish to greet
you and send this congratulatory message on the occasion of
the feast of Vesakh. This gesture of friendship, initiated in
1995 by my predecessor Cardinal Francis Arinze, has almost become
a tradition. I wish to continue this good tradition and express
my hearty congratulations to each and every one of you.
2. In this message, I would like to invite you, my dear Buddhist
friends, to join in prayer for the cause of peace in the world.
Observing the current international situation, we cannot but
be aware of the acuteness of the question of peace in our world.
Since the beginning of this new Millennium, marked by the dramatic
events of 11 September 2001, we witness every day fresh scenes
of bloodshed, violence, confrontation and crisis in almost all
parts of the world. In the midst of this grave situation, we
cannot lead our lives without committing ourselves to advancing
the cause of peace in the world.
3. We Christians and Buddhists are convinced that the origin
of all conflict is ultimately located in human hearts characterized
by selfish desire, specifically by desire for power, domination
and wealth often at the expense of others. It is also our common
conviction that peace must inhabit people's hearts before it
can become a social reality. For us, therefore, the most fundamental
and efficient way to advance peace is to do our best to see
that the deep-rooted selfishness of human hearts is overcome,
so that people may be transformed into true artisans of peace.
4. Pope John Paul II has proclaimed the year from October 2002
to October 2003 the Year of the Rosary of the Virgin Mary. He
has earnestly encouraged the frequent recitation of the Rosary
in order to pray for peace in the world. His wish to revive
the practice of the Rosary is closely connected with the present
historical circumstances, which need more than ever constant
supplication for the great gift of peace.
5. My Buddhists friends, is it not a wonderful coincidence
that you also have a lengthy tradition of using the Mala for
prayer? The Rosary for Catholics and the Mala for Buddhists
are simple yet profound and meaningful prayer, despite essential
differences in their form and content, based on our distinct
doctrines and practices. For Catholics, the Rosary represents
a most effective means of fostering contemplation of Jesus Christ.
For Buddhists, the Mala is used to overcome the 108 sinful desires
in order to reach the state of Nirvana. By virtue of their meditative
character, these two prayers have in common a calming effect
on those who pray them; they lead them to experience and to
work for peace, and they produce fruits of love. For Catholics,
the repetition and meditation of the holy names of the Persons
of the Blessed Trinity and the Virgin Mary in the recitation
of the Rosary makes us more willing to assimilate their love
and compassion for others, especially for the poor and afflicted.
In your Buddhist tradition, praying the Mala helps one to become
a peacemaker.
6. Dear Buddhist friends, these are the thoughts I wish to
share with you this year. I am convinced that by persevering
in prayer we will contribute to advancing peace in the world
both now and in the future. May this peace be with you and your
families on the feast of Vesakh and at all times.
Archbishop Michael L. Fitzgerald,
President
