I learned from forum on ‘Shared Values on Peace and Harmonious Coexistence’ organised by Soka Gakkai Malaysia, International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation, and Institute of Oriental Philosophy (IOP) Japan that Islam and Buddhism have a general similarity on human values in their emphasis on compassion and mercy. The common ground between Islam and Buddhism is an historic, true beginning of the scholarly and spiritual efforts to lay a foundation of mutual understanding. (www.islambuddhism.com)
Emeritus Prof Datuk Dr. Osman Bakar, who holds the Al-Ghazzali Chair of Epistemology and Civilisation Studies at ISTAC said, “Mercy is the essence. The Arabic word for it from the Quran is ‘rahmah’ and it may be defined as compassion, love. mercy, kindness and so forth. It is comparable to what ‘karuna’ or compassion means to Buddhists, and ‘agape’ or love signifies for Christians. ‘Mercy to the world’ is one of the epithets of the Prophet Muhammad, who was especially compassionate to orphans, the poor, the weak & oppressed.”
The religious obligations of all Muslim summed up in the Five Pillars of Islam, which include the profession of faith (shahadah) in God and his prophet, Muhammad PBUH, prayer (salat), charity (zakat), pilgrimage (hajj), fasting (sawn). Whereas, the Seven pillars of Buddhism are mindfulness, energy, rapture or happiness, calm, concentration & equanimity.
Prof Dr. Ryohel Tanaka, Director of the Institute of Oriental Philosophy (IOP) Japan, added that “The basic principle for sacred book of Lotus Sutra was to develop the comparative study of Buddhist thought with other religions, ideas, and science. The theory of the humanist wisdom based on Buddhism to solve issues that humanity faces.” (www.totetu.org)
In conclusion Prof Datuk Osman pointed out that “One of the articles of faith in Islam is belief in all the divinely revealed books. The Quran says some sacred books are mentioned in it by names, others are not. It also says that Allah is Al-Muhaimin, the Guardian, an interpreter and protector over His creation and all the other sacred books. In contemporary world, Muslims with a sound Quranic literacy are called upon to study all sacred books including Lotus Sutra so that they may understand what the Quran means by al-Muhaimin.”
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