Buddhist, Muslim Leaders Urge Tolerance in Burma

 

By Zahara Tiba

May 15, 2013

Burmese Buddhists must steer clear of hostility and ethnic conflict, say prominent members of the Sangha in Indonesia, stressing that the Dhamma prohibits violence.

"Buddha does not teach hatred and violence. A monk should not insult, hurt, or assault others. It is against the values of Buddhism. Instead of spreading hatred, it is much better to show compassion to others to end violence," said Dhammakaro Thera, secretary-general of the Indonesia Grand Sangha Conference (KASI).

In this life, Dhammakaro said, people cannot live alone; other people's presence is needed to create a peaceful life. "One should live side by side in peace and harmony. That is the essence of living in tolerance," he told Khabar Southeast Asia.

Burma has been wracked by Buddhist-Muslim violence since last year, when clashes in western Rakhine state left around 200 people dead, mostly minority Muslim Rohingya.

In March, more than 40 people were killed and thousands left homeless in a fresh wave of violence, this time affecting the Muslim community in the central town of Meiktila. Media reports said some monks were involved in clashes. Wirathu, a hardline cleric dubbed "the Buddhist bin Laden", has been blamed for fostering hatred, although he denies inciting the riots.

"Somehow we have to come to a conclusion where there is no more religious conflict," Dhammakaro said. "There has been more ethnic conflict as the country has now been facing a transition phase in its democratic life, which Indonesia once experienced before. Here we believe world leaders should play their important roles better."

A Non-Violent Response

KASI representatives have discussed the ongoing situation with representatives of the Burmese embassy in Jakarta, Dhammakaro said. It is also encouraging efforts to help end the violence, from sending delegations to the conflict area to delivering aid to refugees.

KASI said it would provide assistance to displaced people in conflict areas through the Indonesia Red Cross (PMI), as part of the upcoming Vesak Day celebration, held May 25th. KASI is working through PMI, in part because Jusuf Kalla, the organisation's chairman, has previously visited Burma's conflict zone.

"It is hard to get access to the area. We believe PMI could carry out the mission," Dhammakaro said.

In addition to its international efforts, KASI is working to strengthening interfaith communication at home. The organisation recently held one such discussion with Muslim leaders in Yogyakarta.

"This is how we work together with other religious leaders to help spread peace," Dhammakaro said.

KASI also told local monks to spread peace among and through Indonesian Buddhists.

"They should encourage followers to create a peaceful life. Don't be exclusive. Help other believers. That is what we have been doing in my residence in Cengkareng [of West Jakarta]. Many times we helped each other –Muslims and Christians – to organise religious events, including breaking the fast during Ramadan," said Dhammakaro.

"We need more efforts like this, to avoid intolerance."

Muhammadiyah: Jihad will not help Burmese Muslims

Indonesia's second largest Islamic organisation, Muhammadiyah, has sent an official letter to Burmese President Thein Sein via the Burmese Embassy in Jakarta and has received an official response.

"They announced the conflict as a political conflict and not a religious one," Muhammadiyah Secretary-General Abdul Mukti told Khabar.

"We urged the Burmese government to find solutions to the conflict. If it is a political one, find a political solution. If it is communal, ethnic, or religious, the government must encourage law enforcement. Punish those who have murdered others and destroyed places of worship. I think every religion or belief, including Islam and Buddhism, teaches its followers not to murder, assault, or create violence," he said.

Abu Bakar Bashir, the Indonesian cleric who is serving 15 years in prison for supporting a Jihadi training camp, has threatened jihad against the Burmese government over its treatment of the Muslim minorities.

Commenting on Bashir's jihad call, Abdul said it has no relevance with the situation in Burma. "It is Burma's domestic problem. Even Burmese Muslims have rejected the call," he said.

Meanwhile, Abdul said, Muhammadiyah has also been supporting the refugees who fled to Riau and North Sumatra while waiting for the Burmese government to find a solution.

Source: http://khabarsoutheastasia.com/en_GB/articles/apwi/articles/features/2013/05/15/feature-03

URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-tolerance/buddhist,-muslim-leaders-urge-tolerance/d/11612