On October 29, 2024, SomdetPhraMahathera, a member of the Sangha Supreme Council, the head of the Northern Region, and the chairman of the Central Training for the People Committee (A.P.C.), delivered a Dhamma speech on the social aspects of sustainable peace at the International Peace Conference at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France. This event celebrated the auspicious occasion of His Majesty the King's 6th Cycle Birthday Anniversary on July 28, 2024, attended by representatives from over 50 countries and 200 affiliated centers.
In this important speech, Somdet Phra Mahathera compared Buddhism to the Bodhi tree, which extends its branches and leaves to various regions and different sects of Buddhism, providing shelter and compassion to all beings. The diversity of wisdom in Buddhism makes it strong, just as many trees create a forest. A single tree has bark, trunk, and heartwood; similarly, Buddhism comprises different elements.
The Buddha likened Buddhism to a tree, where wealth and offerings are the branches and leaves, moral conduct is the bark, mental concentration is the wood, and wisdom is the heartwood. The liberation of the mind is akin to the heartwood, which cannot exist alone without the bark and wood surrounding it. The essence of Buddhism, which is the liberation from suffering, is essential, while the art, culture, and way of life act as the bark, trunk, and wood, vital for the sustenance of Buddhism. The Buddha serves as a healer, and the Dhamma acts as medicine, while defilements are like viruses. Just as a wise doctor must tailor the treatment to the specific ailment, the ultimate goal of all physicians is to cure illness and restore health.
When I had the opportunity to meet with President Macron of France on November 9, 2023, he asked what teachings Buddhism offers. I explained that Buddhism is one of the world’s major religions, promoting compassion and reducing extremism, which often leads to conflict. It teaches against competition and harm, advocating for sharing and mutual support.
Buddhism emphasizes generosity (dana), moral conduct (sila), and meditation (bhavana). Generosity involves giving, whether material goods, food, medicine, or knowledge. It also teaches forgiveness, as seen in past conflicts where nations have forgiven one another after recognizing the harm done. A mind willing to forgive can reduce conflict, from the family level to the global scale. Moral conduct involves respecting rules and agreements, avoiding exploitation, and treating each other fairly. Meditation encourages the cultivation of love and compassion for others, as well as self-restraint to extinguish desires, anger, and delusion. Currently, humanity faces severe natural disasters akin to wars—wars of disease, greed, and emotions that can escalate into violence.
Weapons have never brought about peace; rather, they can easily lead to accidents when mindfulness is lacking. Weapons of destruction create violence, while the weapons of Dhamma promote peace. Buddhism supports the Dhamma weapons of compassion, forgiveness, and peace.
The most crucial Dhamma weapon for creating peace is compassion. Compassion is like water that extinguishes fire. It embodies pure love, trust, and mutual support, which serve as a vaccine against conflict.
The gathering of Buddhists and religious leaders, alongside various organizations, at this conference marks a significant historical moment to share thoughts, principles, and practices from religion that can be applied to today’s world concerning the environment, economy, and mental well-being. This aims to cool down a heated world, following the examples set by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej and in honor of the auspicious occasion of the 6th Cycle Birthday of His Majesty King Vajiralongkorn.
May all participants be blessed for their good intentions and sacrifices in this endeavor.
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