Feast of Vesakh: An
opportunity for compassion and fraternity
 |
| Buddhist monks |
In a message for the Buddhist feast of Vesakh, the
Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue invites Buddhists and Christians
to promote a culture of compassion and fraternity.
By Fr. Benedict Mayaki, SJ
The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue (PCID)
has written a message for the Buddhist feast of Vesakh for the past twenty-four
years.
The feast of Vesakh/Hanamatsuri is an important feast for
Buddhists. It commemorates the main events in the life of Buddha. It is
celebrated on different days in different countries that practice Buddhism.
This year’s message is entitled: “Buddhists and Christians:
Constructing a Culture of Compassion and Fraternity.” It is signed by PCID
President, Cardinal Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot, and the Council Secretary, Msgr.
Kodithuwakku K. Indunil J.
Compassion and fraternity
The message opens with a greeting to all Buddhist
communities, and reaffirms the Church’s bond of friendship and collaboration
with them. It also recognizes the high value given to compassion and fraternity
in both religions, and calls for service “to a wounded humanity.”
The message recalls Pope Francis’ meeting with the Supreme
Buddhist Patriarch in Thailand last November. On that occasion, the Pope said:
“We can grow and live together as good ‘neighbours’ and thus be able to
promote among the followers of our religions the development of new charitable
projects, capable of generating and multiplying practical initiatives on the
path of fraternity.”
Interconnectedness
The PCID message for Visakh relates the stories of
Prince Siddhartha and Saint Francis of Assisi who both shaved their hair and
renounced fine clothes to live lives of detachment. Their examples serve
as a source of inspiration to “more freely devote ourselves to
fostering a culture of compassion and fraternity for the alleviation of human
and ecological suffering.”
Buddhist communities are also invited to accompany and
support Christians to foster kindness and fraternity. The message prays that
interconnectedness may become a source of blessings for all as “everything is
related.”
Education
“We believe that to guarantee the continuity of our
universal solidarity, our shared journey requires educational process,” reads
the message.
To this end, the PCID invites Buddhist communities to a
global event on 15 October 2020. The theme is “Reinventing the Global Compact
on Education.” It aims to rekindle our dedication for and with young people,
renewing our passion for a more open and inclusive education.”
Coronavirus
The message ends with a prayer for “all those who are
affected by the coronavirus pandemic and for those who are caregivers. Let us
encourage our faithful to live this difficult moment with hope, compassion, and
charity.”
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét