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15th November 1998 |
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Recommendations of International Buddhist ConferencePractise the Noble Eightfold PathDeclare Vesak a holiday of the UNVesak day which marks the birth, enlightenment and passing away of the Buddha, falls on a Full-Moon day in May. As a mark of respect for this great spiritual teacher of humanity whose teachings provide guidance and inspiration to nearly a quarter of the world's population, this conference urges States with a predominantly Buddhist population to take the necessary steps towards having Vesak Day declared a holiday of the United Nations, and in this connection requests the Government of Sri Lanka to initiate consultations with other interested States to achieve this objective.The Five PreceptsThe Buddhist Five Precepts which enjoin abstinence from taking life, from taking what is not given, from sexual misconduct, from false speech, and from the use of intoxicants offer an universally acceptable ethical system uniquely applicable to the momentous moral problems that confront human kind today.The Conference therefore recommends that a clear explanation of the meaning of the five precepts, their underlying spirit, their practical application, and their implications for social and economic life, both nationally and internationally, should be provided through media such as books, films, the internet, radio and TV programmes addressed to the different sectors of society with special attention given to educating children and young people in the value of the five precepts in their personal life. The Noble Eightfold Path as a Comprehensive Programme for Human Development. The Noble Eightfold Path is based on a clear analysis of the ethical and psychological requirements of human happiness and well being, both individually and collectively. Buddhist communities should make intensive efforts to practice the Noble Eightfold Path and to devise ways of applying the Path to the pressing problems confronting human beings today. Contemporary roleThe Sangha has always played a vital role in keeping alive the Buddha's teaching. Yet, because of the vast differences in education and lifestyle between monks and nuns on the one hand, and the laity on the other in today's rapidly changing world, the clergy are often at a loss in explaining the Dhamma in terms intellectually convincing to educate lay people.The Conference, therefore, calls upon the ecclesiastical authorities to seriously consider updating traditional methods of instruction so that the clergy will be proficient not only in the Dhamma, but in the numerous auxiliary skills required to convey the teachings effectively today. The Conference noted the desirability of States with a predominantly Buddhist population establishing a fund from which the training could be financed. Economic and Social DevelopmentFrom a Buddhist perspective, development is a holistic process which should be directed to meeting the material, social and spiritual needs of human beings. The current dominant economic model based on irregulated market economics and rampant consumerism has proved to be inadequate for meeting the above objectives.It is recommended that a new model be evolved which will ensure that no one is deprived of the basic material needs consistent with human dignity.For the purpose of evolving such a new model, it is recommended that a committee of innovative Buddhist economic thinkers should be convened to produce, in collaboration with other organisations working out alternative models of development, the outlines of an ethically guided programme of economic and social development. Poverty alleviationThe Buddhist texts clearly indicate that poverty is one of the primary causes of crime and social degradation and that it is the responsibility of governments to adopt effective measures to alleviate poverty. One of the principal underlining causes of widespread poverty, particularly in the developing world, is the unregulated market oriented economic system.The Conference recommends that Governments, in their plans for economic development within market oriented systems provide compensatory structures which would ensure poverty alleviation based on guidelines in the Buddhist texts (such as, providing the basic inputs for production at minimum cost). Right livelihoodBuddhism emphasises the importance of earning one's living by a righteous means of livelihood.The texts specifically mention five types of wrong livelihood: sale of animal flesh, poisons, weapons, human beings (Prostitution, slavery, and exploitation of children), and intoxicating substances (which today would also include tobacco). The Conference recommends that the governments of predominantly Buddhist countries take the lead in impressing on other governments, regional and world bodies and transitional corporations the disastrous consequences of the steep escalation and extensive spread of these destructive means of livelihood. Wholesome lifestyleIn order to preserve our physical resources for future generations, the Conference noted that people should be encouraged by Governments to pursue a moderate, harmless, and frugal lifestyle which might also include adopting a vegetarian diet at least one day a week.People should also be educated about the dangers in the use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco. Governments should totally stamp out the sale of illicit drugs and take strict measures to prevent the alcohol and tobacco industries from promoting, directly or indirectly, the use of their products. The daily practice of meditation should be encouraged in schools, work places and homes as a part of a balanced life style. Buddhist valuesGovernments of predominantly Buddhist countries should take the initiative to build up an international consensus aimed at regulating the print and electronic media to prevent the transmission of forms of entertainment which provoke carnal desires and violent behaviour.Physical environmentGovernments should ensure that all development is in harmony with natural ecosystems.The protection of forests, recycling of reusable materials, reduction in use of toxic chemicals in agriculture and encouraging the development of harmless indigenous methods that do not pollute the environment. Law enforcement authorities should be required to enforce rigorousy laws inacted for protection of the environment. Monuments and places of worshipThe Conference therefore calls on all Governments and relevant international organisations to take all necessary measures to prevent desecration and pilferage of artefacts and materials of historic value.The Conference recommends as one such measure the involvement of the local community through education in the value of their cultural and religious heritage. Closer relationshipsThis Conference recommends the establishment of a World Buddhist Organisation, with a permanent Secretariat, which would, inter alia, provide a networking and resource centre for the activities of other Buddhist organisations, and with this objective maintain a database of Buddhist organisations world-wide, and of their programmes.Peaceful co-existenceThis Conference recommends that public opinion be mobilised at national and international levels to counter extremes such as fundamentalism and terrorism; that periodic inter-religious meetings be convened to promote greater understanding and harmony among religions; that public opinion be mobilised for a halt to the arms race and related activities.Unethical conversionThe Conference recommends that the governments of predominantly Buddhist countries adopt effective measures to prevent foreign funded Non-governmental organisations and evangelical religious organisations from using financial inducements, threats and other unethical means as strategies of religious conversion.As one of the factors which makes certain Buddhists susceptible to conversion is the weakening of the links between the Temple and the lay community, steps should be taken to re-establish such links and to present the teachings of the Buddha in ways which directly address the spiritual and personal needs of the people. Buddhist Point of ViewAt present no international Buddhist organisation has consultative status with the UN and UN bodies diminishing the visibility of Buddhism as a major world religion, and its contribution to the cause of world peace.It has become necessary to present a balanced perspective of Buddhism particularly due to the adverse image of Buddhism created by interested parties, who have focused extensively on political/ social events of a violent nature in Buddhist countries. Hence this conference strongly recommends that Buddhist NGOs at national and international level gain consultative status. Respect all forms of lifeThis Conference recommends that an International consultative group be convened by States with a predominantly Buddhist population for the development of a charter promoting respect for all forms of life. In this connection the Conference also recommends that Human Rights Instruments be revised giving due consideration to Buddhist concepts of both human rights and duties.Tobacco related illnessesAs one of the central tenets of the Buddha's teaching is love for others, and as tobacco-related illnesses create suffering for or kill 3.5 million people each year this Conference calls upon the Tobacco Industry to stop marketing and promotion that appeal to children of tobacco products; stop influencing or interfering with public health policy; stop misrepresentations about, or minimisation of the dangers of tobacco; and bear the major share in the costs arising from treatment of tobacco related illnesses. |
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