Common Ground - Islam and Buddhism

c o m m o n g r o u n d between i s l a m a n d b u d d h i s m
The Dalai Lama and the Dynamics of Dialogue
Finally, let us return to the Qur’ānic verse cited above, the importance
of which for the principle and the practice of interfaith dialogue
cannot be over-estimated:
For each of you [communities] We have established a Law
and a Way. And had God willed, He could have made you
one community. But in order that He might try you by that
which He has given you [He has made you as you are]. So
vie with one another in good works. Unto God you will all
return, and He will inform you of that about which you differed.
(5:48)
We are enjoined by this verse to engage in a ‘healthy competition’
with those whose paths are different from our own: the very differences
are themselves part of the foundation for the competition. But
the competition is in relation to good works, khayrāt, and there is no
dispute or disagreement about what goodness is: it is immediately
recognizable, however different be the processes by which goodness
is produced. Dialogue between different religious believers, from
this point of view, should generate a healthy competition aimed at
‘goodness’ which is always and everywhere the same, however different
be the religious starting points. This Qur’ānic view of the purpose
and goal of dialogue resonates deeply with the stated aims of
His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. In his numerous writings and speeches,
the Dalai Lama stresses not only that the different religions must
remain faithful to their respective traditions, but also that they all,
without exception, aim at values which are self-evidently khayrāt,
so many forms of goodness. Whereas the religions of the world are
very different from each other in terms of philosophical doctrines,
he writes, ‘in terms of training the mind, all major religions are
the same. They all have the same potential to transform the human
mind. A clear indication of this is that all major religious traditions
carry the message of love, compassion, forgiveness, contentment
and self-discipline.’ 29
He reinforces the Qur’ānic concept of spiritual ‘competition’ in
his important paper, ‘Harmony, Dialogue and Meditation’ delivered
at the famous ‘Gethsemani Encounter’, which brought Christian and
29. His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, The Many Ways to Nirvana (London: Hodder
and Stoughton, 2004), p. 5.
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