Buddhism in the times of conflict

By C K Nayak

Buddhism also known as Buddha Dharma is a religion or philosophical tradition based on teachings attributed to Lord Buddha. It originated in present-day North India as a movement in the 5th century BCE, and gradually spread throughout much of Asia and the rest of the world through the famous Silk Road. It is the world’s fourth-largest religion after Christianity, Islam and Hinduism with over 520 million followers who comprise seven percent of the global population.

Cambodia has the highest number of Buddhists with 96.8 percent of its population followed by Thailand (92.6 %), Myanmar (79.8%), Bhutan (74.7%), Sri Lanka (68.6%), Laos (64%) and Magnolia (54.4%). But it is an irony that only 10 percent of the population in Nepal where Buddha was born (Lumbini) are Buddhists followed by only one percent in India where the sage philosopher spent most of his lifetime and attained Nirvana (Bodhgaya), preached (Sarnath) and breathed his last (Kushinagar). Buddha himself had suggested that all Buddhists should visit all the four places in their lifetime. Incidentally, though all these places of pilgrimage with unique importance of each one are well connected by road, rail and nowadays even by air.

The decline of Buddhism in the Indian subcontinent coincides with the rise of Islam in this part of the world, especially the Islamic invasions that occurred in the late 12th century. Another factor was frequent invasions of North India by various groups such as Huns, Turco-Mongols, Arabs and Persians and subsequent Islamist destruction of Buddhist institutions such as Taxila and Nalanda and religious persecutions.

Lastly, Buddha was later accepted as one of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu of Hinduism and hence lost its separate identity to some extent. This could be one of the reasons why there are least followers of Buddhism in India and Nepal both Hindu dominated countries. But Dr B. R. Ambedkar, the Dalit Hindu leader who converted to Buddhism rejected the belief that Buddha was an incarnation of Vishnu.

Buddhism is a religion that has gained significant popularity in recent years. The basic appeal of Buddhism lies in its teachings of compassion, mindfulness and inner peace. Buddhism provides a path to spiritual growth that is accessible to people of all backgrounds. And its teachings are often seen as a response to the stresses and anxieties of modern life.

In recent years, Buddhism has gained popularity due to its adaptability to modern life. Many people find that Buddhist teachings provide a framework for dealing with the stresses and anxieties of modern life, and the religion’s emphasis on mindfulness and compassion has resonated with people from all walks of life.

In addition, the globalization of Buddhism has played a role in its increasing popularity. As people from different cultures and backgrounds come into contact with Buddhism, they are drawn to its teachings and practices. The availability of Buddhist literature, meditation centres and online resources has also made the religion more accessible to people around the world.

The basic appeal of Buddhism lies in its teachings of mindfulness, compassion and inner peace. These teachings have resonated with people from all walks of life, and the religion’s adaptability to modern life has contributed to its increasing popularity. As more people discover the benefits of Buddhist teachings, the religion is likely to continue to gain popularity in the years to come.

The teachings of Buddha have been relevant for centuries and continue to be so, especially in times of conflict. Buddha’s teachings offer a path to inner peace and harmony, which is crucial in resolving conflicts that arise between individuals, communities and nations. Buddha’s teachings emphasize compassion, mindfulness and non-violence, all of which can be applied in different ways to prevent or resolve conflicts.

One of the most critical teachings of Buddha that is relevant in times of conflict is the principle of non- violence, or Ahimsa. Buddha taught that violence only begets more violence and that true peace can only be achieved through non-violent means. This principle of non-violence has been adopted by many leaders around the world, including Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr., who used it to lead non-violent movements for social and political change. Another crucial teaching of Buddha that is relevant in times of conflict is the principle of mindfulness.

Mindfulness involves being fully present in the moment, observing one’s thoughts and emotions without judgement, and developing a deep understanding of oneself and others. Mindfulness can help individuals in conflict to stay calm and composed, even in the most challenging situations. By being mindful, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of their own motivations and biases, as well as the motivations and biases of others, which can help to de-escalate conflicts.

Compassion is another key teaching of Buddha that is relevant in times of conflict. Compassion involves having empathy, or feeling the pain of others and recognizing their suffering, and acting to find a solution to the suffering, thereby relieving the pain. When individuals in conflict approach one another with compassion, they are more likely to find common ground and work together towards a peaceful resolution.
Compassion also involves recognizing that all human beings are interconnected and interdependent, and that the actions of one individual can have a significant impact on others.

Buddha’s teachings can also be applied to larger conflicts, such as those between communities or nations. In these cases, the principles of non- violence, mindfulness and compassion can be applied at a collective level. Non-violent protests, for example, have been used successfully in many countries to bring about social and political change. Mindfulness can be applied to the negotiation process, allowing all parties to be fully present and engaged in finding a peaceful resolution.

Compassion can help bridge divides between communities and nations, by recognizing the common humanity that exists between all people. Thus, Buddha’s teachings are incredibly relevant in times of conflict, and offer a path to inner peace and harmony. The principles of non-violence, mindfulness and compassion can  be applied at both an individual and collective level, and can help prevent or resolve conflicts between individuals, communities and nations. The world today is facing many conflicts, both large and small, and there is a pressing need for individuals and leaders to apply these principles in their actions and decisions. By doing so, we can move towards a more peaceful and harmonious world.