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From Blown Up Buddha Statues in 2001 to Cartoon Rage in 2006
Added: (Tue Feb 21 2006)
If all religious leaders had done their jobs properly, their congregations and followers would have taken their teaching and messages to heart, practiced what they learned and taught their children to do the same. However; reality has presented a different story.
“Wisdom will emerge if your mind is pure and calm.” Teaching of Buddha.
The world was watching helplessly while ancient Buddha images in Bamiyan, Afghanistan were destroyed in March 2001. The majority of Buddhists wept silently inside and steeled their wills to stay calm. Tension between Buddhist and Muslim communities increased and erupted into violence, especially in Afghanistan and Burma. According to Human Rights Watch Briefing Paper July 2002, a few robed Buddhist monks led more than a thousand people; attacking Muslims shops, homes and mosques in Taungoo, Burma May 2001. These monks, obviously, did not grasp the teaching of Buddha.
“Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you.” Prophet Muhammad, the last sermon.
"I trample under my feet all distinctions between man and man, all hatred between man and man." Prophet Muhammad, the battlefield.
Fast forward 5 years, with the widespread use of internet and cell phones, Muslim riots and violence popped up worldwide over the way Danish cartoons depicted the Prophet. A few clerics organized cartoon protest movements that got out of control in Lebanon, Syria and Pakistan; to the dismay of the moderate Muslim world.
To regain serenity, cartoon protestors need to look back 5 years ago at what their fellow brothers did to the Buddha images in Afghanistan and to the Buddhist majority. What was done, was done. Humor, good or bad, is a natural way to get life back in balance. People need to accept humor as part of human being, and learn to differentiate the good, the bad and the ugly humor, for mankind has been laughing before they could talk.
"We do best to begin by carving out territories or zones of peace in our personal relations where violence and deceit will not be used." Mahatma Ghandi.
The Small “Zones Of Peace” conference organized by New Horizons Support Network, a non-profit organization, will show participants how to really make small “zones of peace” happen and teach attendees to erase the perceived boundary of cultural and racial differences; to embrace the commonality of the human spirit. The conference will take place February 25, Unity church, 1 West 9th Street, Frederick, Maryland. Details at www.roadmessages.com.
The writer, Kim Nuyen, a Vietnamese, is the co-author of Road Messages publication and a partnering sponsor of the conference. Kim has witnessed first hand the destructive clash of ideas, rage and despair created by misunderstanding. She saw the similarities between road rage and cartoon rage. Both end with wreckage and death. Her road messages are about promoting understanding among drivers and looking out for one another. Compassion is the foundation of peace.