A FORUM FOR COMMUNITY ISSUES : Sermons / ADVICE FROM THE CLERGY

In this present era, mass communication is very accessible and the citizens of our planet Earth can travel around the world as if they were visiting their neighbors. To cope with this, Buddhism should also change its traditional ways by coming out of the forest and entering into society, and by expanding the functions of temples to serve the community through involvement in families, nations and the world.

In the past, Buddhism seems to have conveyed an image of passiveness, pessimism, aversion of the world. It also seems that the religion strongly emphasized the practice of asceticism. This misunderstanding has led to the gradual decline of Buddhism. It is true that the Buddha taught about concepts such as suffering, emptiness and impermanence, but he also taught us to search for the happiness from the practice of the dharma. The suffering and unhappiness that we experience in this world is not an aspect of Buddhism. On the contrary, Buddhism attempts to guide us on the path of liberation, happiness and the end of suffering.

The importance of harmony is reflected in the recent rioting that happened in Los Angeles. It was due to lack of harmony, forbearance, mutual forgiveness, cultural understanding and cultural respect--that mental barriers existed among the various races coupled with discrimination and finally outbursts and riots, including looting, wanton destruction and even murder.

We have to take part in this society. We have to change from being passive to being active. We have to replace pessimism with optimism. We have to convert our aversion of the world to genuine love of the world. We have to express right views of international Buddhism by joyous sacrifice.