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War and Conflict Healing: A Buddhist Perspective

NAME: Aung Shing Marma (Bhikkhu Indasara)

ABSTRACT:

War and conflict is often seen in every nook and corner of the world. But there are less people who are thinking of solving this problem. Buddhism tries to solve this problem. Herein, in my article “War and Conflict Healing: A Buddhist Perspective” I try to draw attention to problems and healing. It is focused primarily on my personal experience and from various examples from Buddha’s life and Buddhists.

At first I discuss about how my personal experience of war and conflict, is healed, in accordance to Buddhism. Secondly I continue to discuss how the Buddha, Buddhist kings, Buddhists and his teaching is applied in healing of war and conflict.  I draw the pictures of the Buddha personal healing with frustrated, demented, helpless, and innocent and even to evil minded people – Patacara, Angulimala, King Pasenadi Kosala etc.  Even after their demise, the same methods are practiced to heal problems nowadays; even after the Great Emperor Asoka, J.R. Jayawardene and so on, have left us.

In all causes for war and conflict, there must be a method for healing.  The methods that the Buddha used in different occasions, and through different healing teachings are roughly explained and brought to its essence.

BIOGRAPHY:

I am a Theravada Buddhist monk from Bangladesh. My name is Aung Shing Marma.  I was born in 1984.  I became a novice in 1997 and was given a Dhamma name Indasara.  I was sent to Sri Lanka for my studies in the Buddha’s teachings, in 2000.  There for three years, I studied Sinhala up to grade nine and then moved to the English Medium Institute. In the English Medium Institute, I did my Ordinary Level, in 2004; and Advanced Level in 2006. I was given Higher Ordination in the Ching Mrong Circle (Mang Gveng/Rajanikaya) Bangladesh, in 2006.  I came to Thailand for my B.A. Degree.  I am doing my B.A. Degree 1st year 2nd semester in the Department of Buddhist Studies, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, Bangkok, Thailand.