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NEWS AND VIEWS

Buddhists and Christians: Praying for Peace in the World

Archbishop Michael L. Fitzgerald Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue

Dear Buddhist Friends: 1. As the new presidem of the Pontifical Council for lnterreligious Dialogue, the

office of His Holiness the Pope for relations with people of different religious tradi-tions, l wish to greet you and send this congratulatory message on the occasion of the feast of Vesakh. This gesture of friendship, initiated in 1995 by my predecessor Cardinal Francis Arinze, has almost become a tradition. l wish to continue this good tradition and express my hearty congratulations to each and every one of you.

2. ln this message, l would like to invite you, my dear Buddhist friends, to join in prayer for the cause of peace in the world. Observing the current international sit-uation, we cannot but be aware of the acuteness of the question of peace in our world. Since the beginning of this new millennium, marked by the dramatic events of Sep-tember 11, 2001, we witness every day fresh scenes of bloodshed, violence, confron-tation, and crisis in almost ali parts of the world. ln the midst of this grave situation, we cannot lead our lives without committing ourselves to advancing the cause of peace in the world.

3. We Christians and Buddhists are convinced that the origin of ali conflict is ultimately located in human hearts characterized by selfish desire, specifically by desire for power, domination, and wealth, often at the expense of others. lt is also our common conviction that peace must inhabit people's hearts before it can become a social reality. For us, therefore, the most fundamental and efficient way to advance peace is to do our best to see that the deep-rooted selfishness of human hearts is overcome, so that people may be transformed into true artisans of peace.

4. Pope John Paul II has proclaimed the year from October 2002 to October 2003 the Year of the Rosary of the Virgin Mary. He has earnestly encouraged the frequent recitation of the Rosary in order to pray for peace in the world. His wish to revive the practice of the Rosary is closely connected with the presem historical circumstances, which need more than ever-constant supplication for the great gifi: of peace.

5. My Buddhist friends, is it not a wonderful coincidence that you also have a lengthy tradition of using the Mala for prayer? The Rosary for Catholics and the

Buddhist-Christian Studies 23 (2003). by Michael L. Fitzgerald. Reprinted by permission.

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148 NEWS AND VIEWS

Mala for Buddhists are simple yet profound and meaningful prayer, despite essential differences in their form and content, based on our distinct doctrines and practices. For Catholics, the Rosary represents a most effective means of fostering contempla-tion of Jesus Christ. For Buddhists, the Mala is used to overcome the 108 Sinful Desires in order to reach the state of Nirvana. By virtue of their meditative charac-ter, these two prayers have in common a calming effect on those who pray them; they lead them to experience and to work for peace, and they produce fruits of !ove. For Catholics, the repetition and meditation of the holy names of the Persons of the Blessed Trinity and the Virgin Mary in the recitation of the Rosary makes us more willing to assimilate their !ove and compassion for others, especially for the poor and affiicted. ln your Buddhist tradition, praying the Mala helps one to become a peace-maker.

6. Dear Buddhist friends, these are the thoughts I wish to share with you this year. I am convinced that by persevering in prayer we will contribute to advancing peace in the world both now and in the future. May this peace be with you and your fam-ilies on the feast of Vesakh and at ali times.

Archbishop Michael L. Fitzgerald, President

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Article Contentsp. [147]p. 148

Issue Table of ContentsBuddhist-Christian Studies, Vol. 23, 2003Front Matter [pp. i - 195]Editorial [pp. iii - iv]Buddhist and Christian Views of Community[Introduction] [p. 1]Some Reflections about Community and Survival [pp. 3 - 19]Re-Creating Christian Community: A Response to Rita M. Gross [pp. 21 - 32]

Dual Belonging/Personal Journeys[Introduction] [p. 33]Seeking Emancipation through Engagement: One Nichiren Buddhist's Approach to Practice [pp. 35 - 37]Wishing I Were Here: Postcards from My Religious Journey [pp. 39 - 41]Double Religious Belonging: Aspects and Questions [pp. 43 - 49]Buddhist? Christian? Both? Neither? [pp. 51 - 53]Penetrating the Big Pattern [pp. 55 - 59]Retracing Buddhist Encounters [pp. 61 - 66]Double Religious Belonging: A Process Approach [pp. 67 - 76][Double Religious Belonging: A Process Approach]: Responses [pp. 77 - 83]

Essays[Introduction] [p. 85]"Soul-Less" Christianity and the Buddhist Empirical Self: Buddhist-Christian Convergence? [pp. 87 - 100]Persons and Awareness [pp. 101 - 116]Conscience, Citizenship, and Global Responsibilities [pp. 117 - 131]

News and ViewsThe 2002 Meeting of the Society for Buddhist-Christian Studies [pp. 135 - 137]Japan Society for Buddhist-Christian Studies [p. 139]The Seventh International Buddhist-Christian Conference in Los Angeles, California [pp. 141 - 142]Catholic and Buddhist Monastics Focus on Suffering [pp. 143 - 145]Buddhists and Christians: Praying for Peace in the World [pp. 147 - 148]

Book Reviewsuntitled [pp. 151 - 155]untitled [pp. 155 - 158]untitled [pp. 159 - 161]untitled [pp. 161 - 164]untitled [pp. 165 - 167]untitled [pp. 167 - 170]untitled [pp. 170 - 174]untitled [pp. 174 - 178]untitled [pp. 178 - 181]untitled [pp. 181 - 183]untitled [pp. 183 - 186]untitled [pp. 187 - 189]untitled [pp. 189 - 193]

Frederick J. Streng Book Award [pp. 197 - 201]Back Matter