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Unlock This CourseThe lessons Peace, Pacifism, Forgiveness and Reconciliation and Peace and Pacifism in Buddhism explained peace, pacifism and why peace starts in the mind. This lesson asks a different question: what should Buddhists actually do to make peace?
Buddhists do not see peacemaking as only the job of governments. Every person can do it, by the way they think, speak and act. Three teachings guide them.
Metta (loving-kindness) means wishing every being well, including people on the other side of a quarrel. A peacemaker starts by refusing to see anyone as an enemy to be destroyed.
Karuna (compassion) means feeling for the suffering of others and wanting to ease it. Conflict causes suffering on every side, so a compassionate person wants to help all of them.
Right speech is part of the Noble Eightfold Path. It means speaking truthfully and kindly, and not using words that divide people or stir up anger.
Key terms:
The general meaning of these three ideas was explained in Peace, Pacifism, Forgiveness and Reconciliation. Here is the Buddhist view.
Buddhists believe that hatred cannot end hatred. Dhammapada verse 5 says that hatred is never calmed by hatred in this world; it is calmed by non-hatred, and this is an ancient law. In other words, if one side answers harm with harm, the anger just grows.
Peace that comes from fear or force may not last. Buddhists teach that lasting peace needs justice, forgiveness and a change of heart, so that hatred is truly let go.
Many Buddhists put these teachings into action. What they do varies, for example:
They do this because of the first precept and non-harm, because of compassion for everyone who suffers, and because they believe the world will not become calmer unless people work at it. Some Buddhists prefer to put most of their energy into meditation, and say that a calm mind is the best gift to the world. Other Buddhists feel that compassion has to be shown in action. Both views are found among Buddhists.
The Buddhist Peace Fellowship (BPF) is a religious organisation that works towards peace. It is the example of a peace organisation for Buddhism.
BPF took shape in 1978 in the USA, on the back porch of the Maui Zendo in Hawaii. Its co-founders included Robert Aitken, Anne Aitken and Nelson Foster. It is a member of the Fellowship of Reconciliation, a wider group of peace organisations. It welcomes Buddhists from all traditions, not just one.
BPF describes itself as part of socially engaged Buddhism. Its members believe that meditation and action belong together: looking after your own mind and working for a fairer, less violent world.
What BPF has done and does:
BPF works for peace because its members believe Buddhist teachings on compassion and non-harm call for action. Its work shows how a religious group can bring its beliefs into peacemaking.
Paper 1 (b) [AO1] Choose one religion. Outline two ways in which people in this religion work for peace. [4 marks]
Paper 1 (c) [AO1, AO2] Choose one religion. Explain why forgiveness and reconciliation are important in peacemaking in this religion. [6 marks]
Paper 1 (d) [AO1, AO2] "Religious organisations are the best way to bring peace to the world."
Evaluate this statement, showing you have considered different points of view. In your answer you should refer to at least one religion. [12 marks]
(b) (Buddhism) One way is through an organisation such as the Buddhist Peace Fellowship (1), which works for peace as part of socially engaged Buddhism, for example through meditation and action groups (1). Another way is by following metta and teaching it to others (1), so that people wish all sides well instead of hating their enemies (1).
(c) (Buddhism) Dhammapada verse 5 teaches that hatred is not calmed by hatred but by non-hatred (1), so Buddhists believe revenge only makes conflict grow (1). Forgiveness means letting go of hatred, which frees the person from suffering (1). Because Buddhists feel metta and karuna for all beings, they try to help both sides understand each other, which is reconciliation (1). Without this, peace would only be a pause in the fighting and could break down again (1). Reconciliation also fits the first precept, because it reduces harm (1).
(d) Plan. For: the Buddhist Peace Fellowship works on peace as an act of compassion and brings together people of many Buddhist traditions; religious groups can influence believers and work for forgiveness and reconciliation. Against: some Buddhists say calming one's own mind is the best contribution; governments and the United Nations have power, law and peacekeepers that a religious group lacks; non-religious (humanist) groups also work for peace without a religion. Conclusion: a balanced answer might say religious organisations are an important part, but "the best way" is too strong, because lasting peace usually needs several kinds of work together. Judge each argument as you go.
When asked about an organisation, name it, say what it does and say why the religion's teachings lead to that work. Mark schemes reward the reason as well as the example.