“The politics of fear overrules wisdom or compassion” in Buddhist-majority countries where anger against minorities is rising, note panellists on the programme Between The Lines.
Myanmar hardline Buddhist Wirathu called Donald Trump a "real leader" in a post that called for
the end of jihad. (photo:AFP)
the end of jihad. (photo:AFP)
BANGKOK: The rise of hate speech in Buddhist-majority countries
like Thailand, Myanmar and Sri Lanka is of grave concern - and
something that states should tackle, says a noted Thai Buddhist
intellectual, because of the danger it poses.
like Thailand, Myanmar and Sri Lanka is of grave concern - and
something that states should tackle, says a noted Thai Buddhist
intellectual, because of the danger it poses.
“It’s very dangerous, much more dangerous than weapons,” said
Mr Sulak Sivaraksa, an internationally-regarded Buddhist activist,
during a recent panel discussion on the Channel NewsAsia
programme Between The Lines.
Mr Sulak Sivaraksa, an internationally-regarded Buddhist activist,
during a recent panel discussion on the Channel NewsAsia
programme Between The Lines.
The principles of non-violence and tolerance may be central to
Buddhist teachings, but - amid the rise of nationalist Buddhist
sentiments - hate speech has gained prominence among hardline
groups which use it to incite violence, destruction and even death
against certain groups.
Buddhist teachings, but - amid the rise of nationalist Buddhist
sentiments - hate speech has gained prominence among hardline
groups which use it to incite violence, destruction and even death
against certain groups.
In Sri Lanka for example, a group of monks formed Bodu Bala Sena
in 2012 in the name of protecting the country’s Buddhist culture; it
has since carried out hundreds of attacks against Muslims and Christians.
In Myanmar, hardline monks of the ultra- nationalist Ma Ba Tha group
have been fuelling sentiment against the Muslim Rohingya.
in 2012 in the name of protecting the country’s Buddhist culture; it
has since carried out hundreds of attacks against Muslims and Christians.
In Myanmar, hardline monks of the ultra- nationalist Ma Ba Tha group
have been fuelling sentiment against the Muslim Rohingya.
Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. (Photo: AFP)
Social media has facilitated the proliferation of angry rhetoric.
Mr Sulak urged governments to make hate speech illegal, given
its ability to incite violence. “I agree with freedom of speech, you
can have different opinions and you can discuss openly. But if you
use hate speech and distorted speech… this should not be allowed,”
he said.
Mr Sulak urged governments to make hate speech illegal, given
its ability to incite violence. “I agree with freedom of speech, you
can have different opinions and you can discuss openly. But if you
use hate speech and distorted speech… this should not be allowed,”
he said.
But how is it possible that a religion of peace and empathy like
Buddhism can fall prey to hate?
Buddhism can fall prey to hate?
WHEN FEAR OVERRULES SYMPATHY
Dr Mano Laohanavich, professor of Buddhism at Thammasat
University, suggested that some Buddhists lack an understanding
about other religions.
University, suggested that some Buddhists lack an understanding
about other religions.
“They study only their book, their text, which is exclusively about
their own truth. And this truth must be the one… that is the best,
the only,” he said.
their own truth. And this truth must be the one… that is the best,
the only,” he said.
And when they believe their values to be paramount, they disregard
other religions, or even fear that their own is under threat, said Dr
Eakpant Pindavanija, a director at the Institute of Human Rights and
Peace Studies at Mahidol University.
other religions, or even fear that their own is under threat, said Dr
Eakpant Pindavanija, a director at the Institute of Human Rights and
Peace Studies at Mahidol University.
He cited the example of the Rohingya refugees in Thailand - how
an initial wave of pity for these migrants turned into anger once
some Thai people realised they were Muslims.
an initial wave of pity for these migrants turned into anger once
some Thai people realised they were Muslims.
“Suddenly … the hate speech comes: ‘Oh! They are here because
they want to destroy this country, they want to destroy our Buddhist society’… So the feeling of sympathy has gone,” Dr Eakpant said.
they want to destroy this country, they want to destroy our Buddhist society’… So the feeling of sympathy has gone,” Dr Eakpant said.
WHEN FEAR OVERRULES WISDOM
The average Buddhist also does not really understand the teachings
of Buddhism itself, its true purpose and meaning, said Dr Chantana Banpasirichote Wun’gaeo, an Associate Professor (Department of Government) at Chulalongkorn University.
of Buddhism itself, its true purpose and meaning, said Dr Chantana Banpasirichote Wun’gaeo, an Associate Professor (Department of Government) at Chulalongkorn University.
Also, where there is a religious majority and a minority, it’s usual for
the majority to think “we decide and you have to follow our ways”,
said Dr Mano.
the majority to think “we decide and you have to follow our ways”,
said Dr Mano.
”They use identity as the principle on which to create difference,
and the politics of fear overrules wisdom or compassion,” he added.
and the politics of fear overrules wisdom or compassion,” he added.
In Thailand 95 per cent of the population is Buddhist.(Photo: AFP)
And politicians often take advantage of such sentiments in their
quest for power, the panel noted.
quest for power, the panel noted.
“If you look into the religious conflicts all over the world, it has to
do with (the) mobilisation of bias, very much from the leadership
level,” said Dr Chantana.
do with (the) mobilisation of bias, very much from the leadership
level,” said Dr Chantana.
THE ANTIDOTE: WORKING TOGETHER
One way to counter the swell of hate and fear, Dr Mano suggested,
is to create a safe environment and a platform where people of
different faiths can discuss their beliefs, share food, even pray
together and help solve society’s problems such as poverty together.
is to create a safe environment and a platform where people of
different faiths can discuss their beliefs, share food, even pray
together and help solve society’s problems such as poverty together.
In his experience, when people of different religious identities work
closely together, it can lead to greater understanding and a mutual
respect. He cited the example of how the earthquake in Kaohsiung,
Taiwan years ago galvanised Buddhists, Muslims and Catholics to
join in rescue efforts.
closely together, it can lead to greater understanding and a mutual
respect. He cited the example of how the earthquake in Kaohsiung,
Taiwan years ago galvanised Buddhists, Muslims and Catholics to
join in rescue efforts.
When such varied faiths get together, “that could be very powerful -
not because they are different but because they are united”, said Dr
Mano.
not because they are different but because they are united”, said Dr
Mano.
Mr Sulak provided hope for the situation in Myanmar. Arguing that
the incidences of Buddhist monks attacking Rohingya were perpetrated
by a minority, and tended to dominate the news, he noted that in
actuality in Myanmar: “A lot of Buddhists and Muslims are working
together beautifully.”
the incidences of Buddhist monks attacking Rohingya were perpetrated
by a minority, and tended to dominate the news, he noted that in
actuality in Myanmar: “A lot of Buddhists and Muslims are working
together beautifully.”
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