Religion For reconciliation: Is It Feasible?

By Ven. Galkande Dhammananda -July 26, 2013 

Ven. Galkande, Dhammananda Thero

Most Ven. Professor Bellanwila Wimalaratana Thera, the Chancellor of the University of Sri Jayawardhanapura, Rev. Father Benedict Joseph, all the other respected representatives of the religions of our country, Mr. Chairman, Dr. A.T. Ariyaratne and all the other respected speakers, ladies and gentlemen.  I am privileged to have this opportunity to address this distinguished gathering at this prestigious institute which is founded to take forward the good message of one of the finest human beings produced by our motherland, Mr. Lakshman Kadirgamar.

Since the war ended in May 2009 four years and two months have elapsed.  Now we are in July 2013. The topic of the conference is the ‘Role of Religion in Reconciliation’. The organizers of the conference seem to expect to take the outcome and recommendations of this national conference to the national level, to feed them into the development of an action plan which will facilitate in addressing fractures in the social fabric of the Sri Lankan society. Let me explain how I understand the context of this conference. First I understand that the theme of the conference itself suggests that we have yet achieved reconciliation, although some four years have slipped away without much notice of that historical responsibility. But forget about the reconciliation. Tragically, today, whether you may accept it or not, we are on the verge of another social crisis or conflict. This is the context in which we are having this conference on the role of religion in reconciliation.

If you ask me to point out the most important message that I can derive from Buddhism for reconciliation in our society, I would like to remind you of this verse in Dhammapada.

Jayam veram pasavati – Dukkham seti parajito

Upasanto sukham seti – Hitva jaya parajam (Dhammapada, Sukha vagga verse 5)

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