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| Sunday, 16 October 2005 |
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Strong similarities between Buddhism and Islam by A. F. Dawood The Holy Quran, which was revealed to prophet Mohamed more than 1400 years ago, makes allusion to the Buddha, and there are several similarities in Buddhism and Islam. It is noteworthy to state here that Islam emphasises on the importance of co-existence with other communities, and enjoins them for healthy communication and social integration, but does not impose a compulsion on religion as declared in Al-Quran: If it had been thy Lord's will, they would all have believed- All who are on earth! Wilt thou then compel mankind, against their will to believe! (Surah Yunus X:99 footnote 1480). Logically thinking Muslims, if their minds are not warped with parochial views, would see eye to eye with the writer that Buddhism and Islam have strong similarities, which need to be elucidated here to enlighten those Muslims who are in the dark. According to the Buddha, there are several minor Buddhas but only 25 Buddhas preached, and Al-Quran also names only 25 prophets who preached while tradition pinpoints to several prophets who did not preach a religion. The essence of four Noble Truth and the Eightfold Path of the Buddha's teaching are clearly enshrined in Islam; the four Noble Truth-suffering, cause of suffering, cessation of suffering and the path leading to the cessation of suffering, and the noble Eightfold Path namely perfect understanding, perfect thought, perfect speech, perfect action, perfect livelihood, perfect effort, perfect mindfulness and perfect concentration are similar to Islamic doctrine which enjoins man to be contented with what he has and lead a truthful and righteous life for peace and contentment. Middle Path Buddha's philosophy of "Middle Path of Life" by avoiding the extremes of sensual pleasure and self mortification finds perfect harmony in Al-Quran which refers to the Muslims as the "Middle Nation" and lucidly explains that the adherents of this sect should not seek either extremes of life. Buddha's assertion that one should not believe anything on the basis because a wise man said it, or because it is generally believed, or it is written, or it is said to be divine, or because someone else believes it, but believe it only oneself judges it to be true, finds similarity to prophet Mohamed's advocation to the effect "Seek thy judgement in thy heart irrespective of what others say". Whilst exhorting his disciples to follow the essence of Dhamma, the Buddha advocated against the making of idols for the purpose of veneration; similarly Islam too imposes a taboo on idol worship. The following verses condemn idol worship. Lo! Abraham said to his father Azar: "Takest thou idols for gods? For I see thee and thy people in manifest error". (Surah An'am VI:74) Behold, he said to his father: "O my father! why worship that which heareth not and seeth not, and can profit thee nothing". (Surah Maryam XIX: 42) Behold! he said to his father and his people: "What are these images, to which ye are so (assiduously) devoted" (52) He said: "We found our fathers worshipping them". (53) He said: "Indeed ye have been in manifest error-ye and your fathers" (54) (Surah Anbiyaa XXI: 52,53, 54). Buddhism condemns caste and creed and asserts the equality of all, and Islam too stresses the equality of individuals, abhorring caste and creed. Finally the doctrine of no self or the concept of Nibbana in Buddhism finds a parallel theme in the "Sufi" concept of annihilation of both ethical and psychological aspect. Nibbana, which means non-existence, find similarity to the Islamic portrayal of heavenly life which according to tradition is endless bliss and cessation of suffering. (Al-Quran appendix VIII page 924). This is the characteristic in Nibbana. The Islamic world should take cognizance of the fact that Islam considers religious freedom as a basic right for all humanity and Al-Quran strongly advocates a great degree of respect and sympathy, tolerance and dialogue, and appreciation and co-operation with the adherents of other sects. In the light of this fact, the adherents of one sect should not erroneously think that their religion is superior to other religions, as the ultimate goal of religions is moral guidance for mankind; the misconstrued notion that Buddhism is idol worshipping should be totally obliterated from the minds of abysmally ignorant Muslims, in view of the high position the Buddha enjoys in Al-Quran. |
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