Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 exptools 1/6/84; site ihuxj.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!akgua!mcnc!decvax!harpo!ihnp4!ihuxj!amra From: amra@ihuxj.UUCP (Steven L. Aldrich) Newsgroups: net.religion Subject: The Pope & The Buddhists (LONG) Message-ID: <500@ihuxj.UUCP> Date: Sat, 12-May-84 16:26:15 EDT Article-I.D.: ihuxj.500 Posted: Sat May 12 16:26:15 1984 Date-Received: Sun, 13-May-84 10:02:05 EDT Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, IL Lines: 105 I read an interesting article in todays paper that may be of interest to people in this news group. It was reported by the Los Angeles Times, and appears below complete and un-edited. [ or should I say un-altered since I have obviously used an editor to enter the story -:) . ] Pope Hails Wisdom of Buddhists!! (5-11-84) By: Don A Schanche L.A. Times. BANGKOK--Pope John Paul II slipped off his shoes to sit quietly with the supreme patriarch of Thailand's Buddhists at a monastery here yesterday and afterward praised the " ancient and venerable wisdom " of the Asian religion. After meeting with the 87 year old Buddhist patriarch, His Holiness Vasana-Tera, the Roman Catholic pontiff told 30,000 Catholics at the city's National Stadium that their country's Buddhist tradition provided " fertile terrain " for Christian beliefs. "The church looks with *sincere respect* upon the religious wisdom contained in non-Christian tradition and rejects *nothing* that is *true* and *holy* in them," he said. (emphasis mine) Referring to the contemplative aspect of Buddhism, John Paul said: "The fruits of a peaceable and gentle wisdom are manifestly evident in the Thai character and are esteemed and respected by those who have the good fortune to meet you and come to know the spiritual quality within you." Thailand, last stop on his 11-day Pacific pilgrimage, is mostly Buddhist, with Christians making up less than 1 percent of its 50 million people. About 200,000 are Catholics. After his jet landed from Papua New Guinea, the pope kissed the tarmac and was welcomed by Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn. He was driven to the ornate throne room of the Grand Palace to meet King Bhumibol Adulayadej, Queen Sikrit, and members of their family. The pope told them he had come to thank them and the Thai people on behalf of the church for " the generous hospitality given to thousands and thousands of refugees." Thailand harbors 135,000 refugees from Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam and provided temporary refuge for hundreds of thousands more before they left for new homes in the United States, Australia, France and Canada. The pope will visit the Phanat Nikom refugee camp 55 miles north of here today. John Paul II then called on the supreme patriarch of the Buddhists at Ratchabopit Monastery. He sat on a low throne facing Vasana-Tera, who sat cross-legged on a platform so their eye level was equal. Without even a word of greeting, the two sat in silence for five minutes of prayer and meditation. The Buddhist leader then spoke concerning "common objectives such as happiness and peace based on *justice, loving kindness, and compassion," said a Vatican official. The pontiff's reply was too softly spoken for anyone but the Buddhist leader and his translator to hear. --Los Angeles Times (05-11-84) I wish more people, especially in this group, would develop the same attitude toward the beliefs of others. Why can't we calmly discuss and share our views on religious matters without animosity toward each other?? It seems that the only purpose of this group is to argue,insult be-little and denounce the beliefs of others who dis-agree with our own opinion(s). If each one of us would try harder, I believe we could actually carry on * calm, rational, & maybe even meaningful* discussions about different religious views of the world. Personally, I get tired of reading so much *hate mail* on this news group. When I first started reading net.religion, I had hoped to gain some insight into many different religions. However it didn't turn out that way. I believe if we *ALL* tried a little tolerance for a change, there would be a significant improvement in the quality and diversity of material submitted to net.religion. If you'd care to comment on this, send it to me by Email or POST your reply to this news group. I will do my best to respond in a timely manner. However I am rather busy at the moment, so replies may be slow in coming. Thanks in advance for your input, always glad to hear from others. (even if we don't agree on things) PEACE & BEST WISHES From the life force currently known as: Steve Aldrich (IHNP4!IHUXJ!AMRA) P.S. "Which way are you lookin', is it hard to see? Do you say what's wrong for him is not wrong for me? You walk the streets in righteousness, but you refuse to understand. You say you love the baby, then you crucify the man!" Jim Croce