Give Peace A Chance

By Ven. Horowpothane Sathindriya
Originally Published in the Sunday Observer on the 14th of February 1999.

The key issue facing the world today is peace. There are conflicts, antagonisms, and wars in many countries in the world between nations as well as internally between minority groups. Craving for power, superiority, selfishness and jealousy are the driving forces which create these catastrophic conflicts.

Some nations produce brutal weapons to destroy mankind. Regardless of where they live, what they believe or which language they speak, we are all human beings.

We do not exist for thousands of years. Everybody lives only for a short period. During this very short period what should we do? We should concentrate on what one can offer to our future generation. We all should understand the repercussions and results. Today we experience and suffer much, the results that our previous generation offered.

Greed, hatred and jealousy will create conflict within humankind. Without peace of mind how can we expect to achieve world peace? Therefore, the Supreme Teacher, The Buddha, encouraged us to understand and scrutinise our every single thought which corrupts and defiles our mind and admonished us to expel and eradicate those defilements.

First and foremost one should establish a peace within oneself which is free from craving, free from hatred, free from delusion and free from jealousy. This is peace of mind.

Inhumane thoughts create conflicts and war within every human being. The pursuit of money, political power, superiority, modem commercial culture are the main enemies and antagonists against the global harmony today.

"As a great flood carries away a sleeping village, just so death seizes and carries away a man with a grasping mind, doting on his children and cattle," said the Buddha.

May all beings be well and happy!