Vedanta - Dialogue for Peace
DAISAKU IKEDA
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We must recognise that the present movement towards globalisation contains within it the danger of becoming yet another ideological battle. Specifically , the inflexible application of so-called `global standards' can cause the logic of conflict, exclusion and pressure to be brought to bear on those societies and parts of the world, that do not follow a particular model of development.More than enough warning signs have emerged to temper the enthusiasm of the most dedicated proponents of globalisation. By this, I mean the shocking disparity of wealth between and within societies as well as the purely speculative, non-productive global movements of money that are some times referred to as `casino capitalism'.
We must rep lace unrestrai ned competi tion with an ethos of coex istence, the application of external pressure and force with the autonomous decisions of people and societies. The Buddhist teaching of dependent origination, which places ultimate emphasis on interrelatedness and interdependence, is synonymous with creative coexistence.
Further, in Buddhism, the workings of life are described as `the moment-to-moment spontaneous issuing forth'. Indeed, this phrase describes the essentially inner-motivated, autonomous nature of the vital force of life. Dialogue has the power to restore and revitalise our shared humanity by setting free our innate capacity for good. It is an indispensable lodestone around which people are united and trust is fostered. It was the failure to make dialogue society's foundation that unleashed the bitter tragedies of the 20th century .
We must rep lace unrestrai ned competi tion with an ethos of coex istence, the application of external pressure and force with the autonomous decisions of people and societies. The Buddhist teaching of dependent origination, which places ultimate emphasis on interrelatedness and interdependence, is synonymous with creative coexistence.
Further, in Buddhism, the workings of life are described as `the moment-to-moment spontaneous issuing forth'. Indeed, this phrase describes the essentially inner-motivated, autonomous nature of the vital force of life. Dialogue has the power to restore and revitalise our shared humanity by setting free our innate capacity for good. It is an indispensable lodestone around which people are united and trust is fostered. It was the failure to make dialogue society's foundation that unleashed the bitter tragedies of the 20th century .
