The current crisis is an apt time to revisit Buddhist philosophy, which can be a guiding light for a world looking for peace, harmony and sustainability. Discuss (200 Words)
Refer - The Indian Express
Enrich the answer from other sources, if the question demands.
IAS Parliament 5 years
KEY POINTS
· Buddha” denotes one who as attained enlightenment and had a sense of awakening to build a peaceful, harmonious and just society.
· The ongoing COVID pandemic bears testimony to the fact that the complexities of the modern world carry with them more uncertainties and crises.
· The influence of Buddhist ideas and symbols on our democracy is both profound and visibleThe Preamble of the Constitution enshrines the principals of liberty, equality and fraternity, whose roots can be traced to Buddhist teachings.
· The Buddhist approach of righteous behaviour, wisdom, compassion, and the reduction of trishna (greed) offers a set of building blocks for a new world order where violence and conflict are minimised and development takes place without degrading the natural resources.
· The adoption of the “middle path” by avoiding extreme positions as taught by Buddha leads to realising the truth which further leads to avoiding conflict, reconciliation of different viewpoints, and achieving consensus.
· In the ongoing global fight against the corona pandemic, India is leading from the front. India has emerged as the pharmacy of the world by helping out the 123 needy countries by supplying hydroxychloroquine and other medical assistance.
Aradhana Tiwari 5 years
“Buddha” denotes one who has attained enlightenment and had a sense of awakening to build a peaceful, harmonious and just society.
The ongoing COVID pandemic bears testimony to the fact that the complexities of the modern world carry with them more uncertainties and crises. The threats of bioterrorism, climate change, global warming, radicalism, extremism, etc, are shaking the conscience of humanity. The Buddha’s method of introspection and awakening shows the path in these troubling times due to which in the ongoing global fight against the corona pandemic, India is leading from the front.
>>> Buddhist philosophy, which can be a guiding light for a world looking for peace, harmony and sustainability are -
- The Buddha’s lesson of “Atma Dipo Bhava” — every man can be a light unto himself, a saviour of himself through personal efforts — is apt to alter the individualist approach.
- The Buddhist approach of righteous behaviour, wisdom, compassion and camaraderie, and the reduction of trishna (greed) offers a set of building blocks for a new world order where violence and conflict are minimised and development takes place without degrading the natural resources.
- The adoption of the “middle path” by avoiding extreme positions as taught by Buddha leads to realising the truth which further leads to avoiding conflict, reconciliation of different viewpoints, and achieving consensus.
- His eight-fold-path has not only transformed the spiritual landscape worldwide but also encouraged ethical and sustainable social, political, and commercial practices.
>>> Conclusion :
As peace and sustainable development are interlinked, the Buddha’s prism can be the guiding lights to every single stakeholder from local to global institutions and leaders, to work together for promoting dialogue, harmony, and justice based on compassion and wisdom, and to strengthen the contemporary relevance of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.
IAS Parliament 5 years
Good attempt. Keep Writing.
