Thread: Nakhon Pathom International Buddhist Conference at Buddhamonthon

RELIGION THICH NHAT HANH AT INT'L BUDDHIST CONFERENCE
Zen master: Dharma the way to end terror

Also urges politicians to develop spirituality
SANITSUDA EKACHAI

One day after Hat Yai was hit by seven bomb blasts which raised terrorism fears to new heights, internationally-recognised Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh has an important message for predominantly Buddhist Thailand _ don't fight back with violence. Instead, be true to the Buddhist teachings that protect life, generate generosity, and promote compassionate listening and loving speech. ''Terrorism is born from hatred, anger and wrong perceptions about oneself, about other people, other nations, other religions,'' said the Zen master in his keynote speech at the International Buddhist Conference to mark the United Nations Day of Visakha Bucha.

In order to overcome terrorism, those engaged in violence must be encouraged to share their thoughts and feelings at why they feel compelled to bomb and kill to achieve their goals, he urged.

Deep listening to others' pain, he said, would help one realise how one's mindless speeches and actions have created suspicion and fear that people were out to destroy them as a people, a nation and a religion.

Through compassionate listening and loving speech, one has a chance to correct those perceptions and to reassure the other party that those actions will not be repeated.

The practice of deep listening would also help bring to light one's own incorrect perceptions about others, which contribute to conflicts, he added.

''Removing those wrong perceptions in both parties is a simple but radical way to remove terrorism,'' he stressed.

Although the Zen master was talking in the context of the US war in Iraq, his message hit close to home amid rising violence in the Muslim-dominated South against the dominant Buddhist state, and the ever-louder public demands to end the problems through violence.

In his speech entitled ''Buddhist Contribution to Good Governance and Development,'' the master also stressed the importance of political and economic leaders developing spiritual dimensions in their lives to prevent themselves from abusing their power.

He described their lives as driven by the craving for success and ridden with tension and anxiety, which ended up hurting themselves as individuals and subsequently their own families, communities and countries.

The simple practice of mindfulness can help them relieve their craving, anger, and transform them into a positive force.

It also helps cultivate politicians' capability to ease their cravings, anger and hatred and to develop insights into the natural laws of impermanence, non-self and interconnectedness.

''In the face of conflicts and violence, such insights will enable them to forgive, accept and to love, which will help them perform better in office in the service of peace,'' he said.

He also urged politicians and business leaders to observe the equivalence of Buddhism's Five Precepts and apply them to modern needs. They are: protecting life which extends to protecting the planet for future generations; fostering generosity; avoiding sexual conduct which includes protecting people from sexual abuse; observing loving speech and deep listening; and adopting mindful consumption.
He was also critical of the media in wrongly citing freedom of expression to produce films, music or other materials which planted the seeds of violence in people's minds.

Bangkok Post