Sincerity leads to skillful interaction; tranquility leads to peace
The Museum of World Religions (MWR) was inspired by the insights born of meditation. But at first, a lot of people were skeptical; this is especially the case if you don’t have everything worked out and present it in a systematic fashion. That’s why I traveled all over the world to solicit feedback and support from representatives of different religions. After receiving lots of encouragement and positive feedback, I knew that this plan was going to succeed.Universal love as a cycle of interdependence
The central idea of the MWR is respecting others and their religious beliefs, for this is the foundation of universal love. In fact, compassion and morality are the common denominators of all true religions; they are the basis of mutual respect.
This is why the MWR has always enjoyed such good relations with various religions. Now we are working on the establishment of the University of Peace, a project based on the principle of applying universal love to overcome conflict. Not merely a concept, this is something which can be realized within the “ecosystem of interdependence.”
All things exist due to the coming together of the requisite causes and conditions; nothing exists in absolute independence. This also applies to the entire planet. The Earth is a living system, but it’s suffering under the effects of consumerism, war, and inappropriate technology. Imagine the famine that would result if the north and south poles melted and the seasons went out of whack. Like all living beings, the Earth is composed of various elements; and for the Earth to be healthy, these elements need to be in harmony with one another. This is why interdependence is the focus of the University of Peace.
Peace as the wisdom of interdependence
In early September I went to New York to meet with Ralph Appelbaum, the architect who designed the MWR, which opened 15 years ago. Now we’d like him to design the Center for Religion and Culture near Lashio in northern Myanmar. There are over 130 different ethnic groups in Myanmar, many of which are frequently in conflict with one another; so there is a clear need for peace work. The Center can be seen as a sort of extension of the MWR, an opportunity to further flesh out the wisdom of interdependence. This is what I plan to do with the remaining years of my life!
Actually, Ralph is quite skeptical about the prospects of world peace. When he shared with me his doubts, I told him that my work is based on the insights gained thru the practice of meditation, and that it’s precisely because the world is so full strife that this work is so important. Then he said that the Buddha never told people to go out and save the world, to which I replied that the Buddha emphasized the importance of benefitting others, and that today one of the best ways to do this is by promoting peace and protecting the natural environment we all depend on for our very survival.
Indeed, the best way to fulfill our mission of peace and ecology is to promote compassion and meditation. You might say that these are our products and services. Sincerity leads to skillful interaction; tranquility leads to peace.
Actually, meditation takes you deeper into life. It gives you insight into the multidimensional nature of life; it helps you see the beauty of life. Meditation brings the world to life. It’s not about changing things; rather, it’s about seeing things as they really are.
Whatever good fortune I’ve enjoyed in this life is perhaps the result of reciting the Great Compassion Mantra. I started reciting it while I was living in the cemetery and continued reciting it after I came to Fulong Mountain; I recited it every day while on retreat, until its positive spiritual energy permeated the entire mountain, including the climate. It has also had a positive impact on the local deities; they are fond of displaying their abilities, and they take much pleasure in human goodness and a society that is functioning well. That’s why I continue to recite the Great Compassion Mantra.
At the end of June and the beginning of July I was in Myanmar for the opening of the school for novice monks near Lashio; the enrollment for the first year is already nearly 200. In September I went to New York to attend the 15th Muslim-Buddhist dialogue sponsored by the United Nations. The focus was on youth, since it’s essential to inculcate the next generation with the spirit of interreligious dialogue; dialogue is also the underlying theme of the University of Peace.