First Missionary Religion and Religious Harmony

FIRST MISSIONARY RELIGION

Buddhism became the first missionary religion the world has seen. Nearly two thousand three hundred years ago, Buddhism expanded beyond India through the noble efforts of the Indian Emperor Asoka. The historian, H.G. Wells, inspired by the greatness of Asoka, says: amidst the tens of thousands of names of monarchs that crowd the columns of history, their majesties and graciousness and serenity and royal highnesses and the like, the name of Asoka shines, and almost alone, a star ..

For he, the Emperor who ruled India (about 305 b.c.e. - 268 b.c.e.) at the height of his thirst for worldly power, renounced the sword of violence and devoted much of his time for the upliftment of Buddhism and Buddhist culture. He sent out Buddhist missionaries, including his own son and daughter throughout the length and breadth of the then known world, to convey the peace message of the Buddha. True to the noble tradition of the Buddha, he never neglected to advise these missionaries not to condemn or to run down any other religion while they preached Buddhism. This advice was engraved on an Asoka pillar in Brahmi characters - the ruins of which can still be seen today in India.

The following statements in the Edict says-One should not honour only one's own religion and condemn the religions of others, but one should honour others' religion for this or that reason. In so doing, one helps one's own religion to grow and renders service to the religions of others too. In acting otherwise one digs the grave of one's own religion and also does harm to other religions. Whosoever honours his own religions and condemns other religions, does so indeed through devotion to his own religions, thinking 7 will glonfy my own religion,' but on the contrary, in so doing he injures his own religion more gravely. So concord is good: 'Let all listen and be willing to listen to the doctrines professed by others.'
The people of Asia have much cause to be grateful to this great monarch. As a ruler he did his duty to support every existing religion without any discrimination. That is why he is honoured today while many others who tried to dominate the whole world by adopting cruel methods were ignored by people.

RELIGIOUS HARMONY

Religious principles are intended for the whole of mankind. If any particular section of humanity does not follow the great virtues taught by religion - such as kindness, patience, tolerance and understanding, it would be difficult for others to live peacefully.

It is quite natural for cunning and cruel people to take advantage of any kind of virtue. The religionists of today, must bear in mind that those who fight and shed blood in the name of religion, do not follow religious principles and do not serve the cause of humanity. They fight for their own personal gain or power by using the name of religion. Those who truly practise a religion have no grounds to fight. They should settle their problems in a peaceful manner. A true religion never encourages any form of violence under any circumstance. At the same time, racial discrimination should not arise when we practise our respective religions. Buddhists can live and work with other religionists without any discrimination. Not only that, Buddhists have never shed blood in the name of religion amongst their different denominations or with other religions.

Today because of the atrocities that have been done and are still continuing in the name of religion, many people have become disillusioned at the mention of the very word, 'religion'. Materialism, hypocrisy and fanaticism masquerading under the guise of religion have caused great injustices in the history of mankind. The true religious values are rapidly disappearing from the minds of men as they run in search of the occult and the mystical. The established great religions of the world are breaking into myriads of forms while on the other hand some people are going all out to ridicule religion. The time has come for religionists of today to get together to introduce religious values in their proper perspective, instead of merely arguing and quarrelling over the differences of religious ideologies and mythologies.
Religion should not be confined to worshipping and praying only. Religion is not a means for lip service only but a practical medium for man to act harmlessly, to be of service to others, to teach everyone to be good and to gain liberation, peace and real happiness. Each person has three natures: The Animal, the Human and the sublime Divine natures. The purpose of religion is to help human beings realize their noble divine nature.

Different religions may have different beliefs and views regarding the beginning and the end of life, as well as different interpretations regarding the nature of ultimate salvation. But we should not bring forward such discordant issues to create conflict, confrontation, clashes, hatred and misunderstanding.

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