杏MAP导航

By Linda Bordoni

鈥淎t a time in which our human family and planet are facing manifold threats,鈥� the need for interreligious dialogue and collaboration are increasingly necessary, said 杏MAP导航 Francis, inviting Buddhists to continue to work together with the Catholic Church 鈥渢o cultivate compassion and hospitality for all human beings, especially the poor and marginalized.鈥�

The 杏MAP导航 was addressing a delegation from Thailand composed of thirty-three prominent Buddhist monks of both the Theravada and Mahayana schools, together with 60 lay Buddhists and several representatives of the Thai Catholic Church. They are in Rome to participate in a conference entitled Friendship between Buddhists and Christians for a Culture of Encounter, at the Pontifical Urban University.

Golden Jubilee

Thanking them for visiting the Vatican on the 50th anniversary of the historic meeting between 杏MAP导航 Saint Paul VI and the Most Venerable Somdej Phra Wannarat, the 17th Supreme Buddhist Patriarch of Thailand, on 5 June 1972, the 杏MAP导航 expressed his wish to renew the bonds of friendship and mutual collaboration.

He also renewed the sentiments expressed by 杏MAP导航 Paul VI when he met the Thai delegation 50 years ago, saying: 鈥淲e have a profound regard for the spiritual, moral, and socio-cultural treasures that have been bestowed on you through your precious traditions.鈥�

A consolidated path of dialogue and collaboration

杏MAP导航 Francis noted that the past 50 years have seen a gradual and steady growth of 鈥渇riendly dialogue and close collaboration鈥� between the two religious traditions.

He recalled past visits and his Apostolic Journey to Thailand in 2019 鈥渁nd the wonderful welcome and hospitality I received.鈥�

杏MAP导航 Francis meets the Supreme Buddhist Patriarch of Thailand during his apostolic visit to Thailand in 2019

The Holy Father also expressed appreciation for the friendly and fraternal dialogue with the members of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, as well as with the Catholic community in Thailand.

The Buddha and Jesus understood the need for fraternity

Dialogue and collaboration are even more urgent and precious at a time when the human family and the planet face manifold threats, the 杏MAP导航 noted.

鈥淭he Buddha and Jesus understood the need to overcome the egoism that gives rise to conflict and violence,鈥� he said.  

鈥淭he Dhammapada sums up the Buddha鈥檚 teachings thus: 鈥楾o avoid evil, to cultivate good, and to cleanse one鈥檚 mind 鈥� this is the teaching of the Buddha鈥� (Dph 183).  Jesus told his disciples: 鈥業 give you a new Commandment, that you love one another.  Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another鈥欌�� (Jn 13:34).  

杏MAP导航 Francis told his guests that their common task today is 鈥渢o guide our respective followers to a more vivid sense of the truth that we are all brothers and sisters.鈥�

In this spirit, the 杏MAP导航 concluded, 鈥淚 encourage your efforts to deepen and broaden your dialogue and cooperation with the Catholic Church.鈥�

杏MAP导航 Francis meets Buddhist leaders in Thailand during his 2019 apostolic visit