ROME. On Saturday, Pope Francis told a Buddhist delegation from Mongolia that Jesus and Buddha did not resort to the same promise of peace and violence.
Addressing a delegation of Mongolian Buddhists to a special audience at the Vatican, the Pope said, “Jesus and Buddha are peacemakers and advocates of nonviolence,” and also called for an end to environmental violence.
Francis said that Jesus himself “lived in an age of violence” but “made a nonviolent path.” He also taught that “non-violence and peace are the main message of the Buddha” and that the one who loves peace lives happily, “leaving both victory and defeat behind.”
Being true followers of Jesus today “involves non-violent acceptance of his teachings,” he said, “truly the noblest conqueror conquers himself,” as Buddha taught, and not others.
Peace “is humanity’s greatest desire today,” said Francis, “and it is urgently needed to promote and work towards a culture of peace and nonviolence, through dialogue at all levels.”
This dialogue should “call on everyone to reject all forms of violence, including violence against the environment,” he said. “Unfortunately, there are those who continue to abuse religion, using religion to justify acts of violence and hatred.”
Deeply rooted in their religious teachings, religious leaders said, “We must awaken a strong determination in humanity to reject violence and build a culture of peace.”
“Mongolia has a long tradition of peaceful coexistence between different religions,” the Pope said. “I hope and pray that the ancient history of reconciliation in diversity continues into our time through the effective exercise of freedom of religion and the promotion of joint initiatives for the common good.”
Source: Breitbart
