March–April 2004, Volume 31
Spiritual Friendship across Faiths
Essays
Spiritual Friendship across Faiths
by Elizabeth J. Harris
Religious Dimension in Sri Lanka’s Peace Process
by Jehan Perera
An active worker for domestic peace in his country explains that the civil conflict there is primarily the result of ethnic, not religious, differences.
My Way to Refusal
by Ishay Rosen-Zvi
In August 2001, Ishay Rosen-Zvi served time in an Israeli military prison for refusing to report for military reserve duty in the occupied territories. Soon after, he joined a group called Courage to Refuse, which is composed of Israeli reserve officers and soldiers, most of whom have already refused military service in the occupied territories and who were sent to prison for various periods. What he witnessed in the occupied territories sheds some light on the complexity of conscientious objection in a democracy and the ordeal of being in opposition with his own faith community.
A Religious Approach to Peace through Liberation of Our Hearts and Minds
by Deshabandu Bogoda Premaratne
It is impossible to construct any permanent, everlasting “self” out of the impermanent conditions that are continually arising and dying. Whether we commit ourselves to becoming arahats or bodhisattvas, may we gain the wisdom that leads to peace. This article was originally an address delivered by Deshabandu Bogoda Premaratne at the Rev. Nikkyo Niwano Commemorative Seminar held by the Inter-faith Foundation of Sri Lanka on October 5, 2003.
Reflections
The True Meaning of Happiness
by Nikkyo Niwano
The Importance of Character Building
by Nichiko Niwano
At a time of international anxiety and tension, society’s first priority should be the right kind of education for the younger generation.
The Stories of the Lotus Sutra
Dharma Teachers
by Gene Reeves
Anyone who explains even one word contained in the Lotus Sutra to another is doing the Buddha’s work, and is considered a Dharma teacher. Not only can we all be Dharma teachers, we can also all become bodhisattvas with the good fortune to one day attain buddhahood.
Buddhist Living
One Day, One Life–Together with the Sangha
by Katsue Hattori
A member of Rissho Kosei-kai learns from her own painful experience that true salvation involves learning the correct way to view ourselves and others.
Gotama Buddha (65)
The Salutations of the Mallas
by Hajime Nakamura
Even though weary from illness, the Buddha did not ignore the bonds of friendship and took steps to extend greetings to old acquaintances.
