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Buddhist Approach to Politicl Conflict and Peace Development

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Buddhist Approach to Politicl Conflict and Peace Development Buddhist Approach to Politicl Confl ict and Peace Development UNDV Conference Volume The International Buddhist Conference on the United Nations Day of Vesak Celebrations 4 - 6 May 2552/2009 Thailand Editorial Board Advisors The Most Ven. Prof. Dr. Phra Dharmakosajarn (Thailand) Ven. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phra Srikhamphirayan (Thailand) Ven. Dr. Phra Wisutthiphattharathada (Thailand) Ven. Asst. Prof. Dr. Phra Suthidhammanuwat (Thailand) Editorial Staffs Ven. Dr. Khammai Dhammasami (Britain) Ven. Dr. Phramaha Hunsa Dhammahaso (Thailand) Ven. Dr. Phramaha Somboon Wutthikaro (Thailand) Mr. Dion Oliver Peoples (Thailand) Preface Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University (MCU) has been privileged to witness and play a crucial role in developing and hosting successful UNDV celebrations from the beginning in 2004/2547 to 2007/2550. The UNDV celebrations were held in Ha Noi, Vietnam last year; for this year, 2009/2552, the UNDV has returned. As always, we are all very grateful to the Royal Thai Government for its constant support, and thank the Thai Supreme Sangha Council for its blessings, guidance and support. We are indebted, also, to the United Nations for recognizing the thrice-sacred Buddhist holy day. It has been 2552 years since the death of our Great Teacher, and we have gathered here from across the globe, from many nations, to again pay tribute to his birth, enlightenment, and death – occurring on the same day in different years. For the celebrations this year, the International Association of Buddhist Universities (IABU), created during the UNDV in 2007/2550 by the participating Buddhist higher institutions, plays an important role. The IABU Secretariat now, plays a major role in our celebrations, particularly in the academic programme of the conference. As part of the UNDV Conference theme Buddhist Approach to Global Crisis I am pleased that three Conference Volumes are published for the convenience of all participants, with the financial grant from my university, in time for the conduct of the panels and workshops. The various sub-themes of the panels are: Buddhist Approach to Economic Crisis; Buddhist Approach to Environmental Crisis; Buddhist Approach to Political Conflict and Peace Development; and additionally included are the invitational workshops pertaining to the IABU Administration; the Buddhist Common Text Project, and Buddhist E-Resources and Network. In this volume are articles on one of Buddhist Approach to Political Crisis. This publication could not have been possible without the persistence, hard work, and dedication of MCU’s scholars and staff. I wish to thank all members of the International Council for the United Nations Day of Vesak and the Executive Council of the International Association of Buddhist Universities, and the Editorial Committee for their devotion. I am also grateful to our many donors, sponsors and volunteers. The Most Ven. Prof. Dr. Phra Dharmakosajarn Chairman, ICUNDV & IABU Rector, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University Introduction First, as a man and the editor, I am humbled to be nominated to assist the 6th Annual United Nations Day of Vesak Celebrations as the main editor for the conference publication on Buddhist Approach to Global Crisis. I must thank all of the Venerable and respected professors who have entrusted this endeavor to me. I wish that my enthusiasm and engagement into these articles will be warmly received first from the author, secondly towards the delegates and observers to the conference, and thirdly my aspirations aim to please the many readers of this publication. I admit that this text may contain several remaining grammatical mistakes, largely this is the responsibility of the author, but since many of our contributors are non-native English speakers, there might be a few problems remaining due to the short amount of time between issuing the call for papers [mid-January 2009], to the article deadline date [27 March 2009] to publication date [17 April 2009] - I had thus approximately three weeks to improve every article before presentation to the international Buddhist world, by 5 May 2009. I’ve mentioned nothing about other behind-the-scenes efforts and nearly 1500 e-mails that made this text possible. Some fifteen articles were rejected for being non-thematic, redundant in nature (other articles covered similar material), were problematic or were just too poorly written to be included into our program and panels – this demonstrates that we tried to give the Buddhist world the best possible presentation of viewpoints, subjected to our collective committee’s discretion. As the main editor, I was the focal-point of communication between the committee and the scholars – often on the receiving end of several complaints and a few compliments. The UNDV 2009 Editorial Committee would like to remind these scholars of simple tasks, beneficial also for future occasions, that if: scholars could run the automated spelling and grammar check-functions on their computers, select the fonts recommended in the call for papers; have someone at their home-university re-read their work for errors – and basically turn in more professionally-approved products, our work at the office would be a lot easier, and less frustrating. Instead, we worked hours into the next day’s morning for several weeks, missing holidays - on editing articles that should have been ‘publishable’ when submitted. I have given much of my life to Buddhism, sacrificing my family, and professional aspirations of earning my PhD in Buddhism; and because I have worked on these papers that are truly the responsibility of the individual author, most of which have higher qualifications from my own – I hope at least the Buddhist devas are pleased. Therefore, if there was any misrepresentation in any articles or through organizing these panels, may I be forgiven, for humbly working for you? I have tried my best, in a short amount of time. Those familiar with our annual United Nations Day of Vesak Conference know that over the past few years, we have had more time to prepare, perhaps a few months, to arrange articles and engage in thorough editing. This was not the case for this year’s conference, the fourth that I have been involved in. I must take full responsibility. Ultimately though, what largely matters most, is that the various Buddhist leaders and scholars have pondered diligently to present to the United Nations, their individual visions towards solving global crisis through various manifestations; we therefore hope leaders can consider our proposals. Often in international settings, the ability to communicate matters means more than the grammatical intricacies. If someone said: “Help!” this can be enough, and through our observations we could learn exactly what would be needed or how to assist someone with the appropriate remedy. Some people seem to expect or demand our assistance. Help and advice can cut across many barriers, yet I have strove to present the best possible work, by all of our delegates – across national, sectarian and even gender biases. Buddhism is for all, and all here are certainly for Buddhism. Below is, brief summaries of our accepted and collected voices: Buddhist Approach to Political Conflict & Peace Development Following the collapse of several styles of government, and the internal strife that conflicts and separates otherwise civil nations – this panel looks at the many ways that a Buddhist Approach would benefit a government, an organization, and even disputes of a personal nature – towards developing the peace that we all deserve as a modern, united humanity. These papers offer suggestions that move beyond recent statements that claim: “people are now deciding whether peaceful means serve them best... people have been repeatedly disappointed. ...Legal standards have been clearly unfair and unjust... the remaining opportunities for a peaceful solution are decreasing every day. ...People have the right to defend themselves against aggression. ...the whole system is distorted.”1 Our panel contains a wide variety of viewpoints that demonstrate that calm and peace are possible - from younger students, various levels of professors, and a politically-banned politician writing on Buddhism. These perspectives illuminate the Buddhist positions on political and peaceful methods – across a variety of circumstances. Ashin Sumanacara writes in his, “Early Buddhist Theory and Practice of Political Conflict Resolution”, offers a lot of practical advice that is worth investigating or actualizing – although this would be idealistic even in contemporary Buddhist societies. As stated in the article, there are new ways to resolve political conflict. Aung Shing Marma writes in his: “Brahmavihara: A Buddhist Solution to Problems”, that: we must undertake or adopt the brahmaviharas into our personal lives to avert any crisis through our relationships with the external world. For a young scholar, his words ring with years of wisdom, and should be considered for all to espouse. Damien Keown writes in his: “Learning from Religious Peacemakers”, that since the world has changed, religions have become more prominent factors in modern disputes. Religious leaders are not really formally trained to resolve conflicts; instead they just draw on a variety of techniques – including: scriptures, charisma of the religious preacher, rituals, common themes, peace education, and communication skills. Our universities and monasteries also contribute towards educating the future peace-leaders. Peace is even questioned
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