Trauma Healing Using Buddhist Spirituality


			(back to list) Trauma Healing Using Buddhist Spirituality War, Conflict and Healing: A Buddhist Perspective Marie Friquegnon, William Paterson University ABSTRACT Buddhism, a religion centered on wisdom and compassion, is based on the interrelation and inter-dependence of all beings. All share in an ultimate reality which is beyond conception, and which is expressed in a variety of ways. The core of all religions is the sacred. The experience of the sacred is understood by most as pervaded by goodness, wisdom and power. Recognizing this common element in all religions leads Buddhists to embrace tolerance and to seek understanding based on shared values. This is the path of non-violence. Samuel Huntington and others have argued that the conflicts within contemporary society are a result of irreconcilable differences between cultures. While it is important to be tolerant of cultural differences, common human values are implemented in diverse ways in diverse societies. Recognizing those values we hold in common may hold the key to successful negotiations when conflicts arise. I will first show how the scriptures of world religions embody these universal values. Then I will argue 1) that conflict solution based on shared values is a feasible alternative to violence, 2) that political action on global redistribution of wealth on a large scale is within the reach of the world’s governments and is in accordance with their affirmed values, and 3) that giving up principles such as the human right not to be tortured, constitute the very worst alternative in dealing with problems such as terrorism. If we give up our moral values out of fear of terrorism and turn to violence and torture, we may only increase the hatred and anger which are the source of terrorism. A high moral stance may appeal to other cultures, and may deprive their leaders of some of the propaganda tools they use against the West. Terrorists can now claim with some justification that their tactics constitute the only weapons they have in righting the wrongs they believe the developed nations have inflicted. If the global community appeals to morality and reason, and helps with jobs, education, housing and medical help, peace becomes a more attractive alternative to terrorism. Arguments will be presented against Joseph Margolis’ claim that suspension of Western values is necessary in order to make peace with developing nations. Arguments will be presented for Martha Nussbaum’s and Amartya Sen’s claims that a sympathetic understanding of how common values are implemented in the context of different needs and historical backgrounds is most helpful in combating terrorism.. Lord Buddha courageously confronted his cousin Devadatta, not with violence but with love, even when Devadatta sought his life. We must have the courage to reach out to those that threaten us, redress their just grievances, and work for our mutual good in a world which is increasingly dependent on shrinking resources. As the Dalai Lama has stated, war is ‘out of date” What sense does it make to drop a bomb in your own back yard. BIOGRAPHY MARIE-LOUISE FRIQUEGNON Department of Philosophy 277 Avenue C William Paterson University Apt 7E Wayne, New Jersey 07470 New York, 10009 USA (973) 720-3031, (212) 673 0907, friquegnonm@wpunj.edu, Fax: (973) 720 2827 EDUCATION .A. Philosophy, Barnard College, 1965; M.A. Philosophy, New York University, 1967; Ph.D. Philosophy, New York University, 1974; Dissertation: Religious Vision: Truth or Metaphor. BOOKS - Ethics for Modern Life, 5th edition, with R. Abelson, 1994, St. Martin’s Press, New York; editions of 1975, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 2002 - The Philosophical Imagination, with M. Lockwood and R. Abelson, St. Martin’s Press, New York 1976 - Clarity and Vision, with R. Abelson, Dubuque: Kendall Hunt, editions of 2000, 2003 - On Shantarakshita, Belmont CA: Wadsworth, 2000 - Praise to the Lotus Born:A Garland of Devotional Waves by Khentrul Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche translated from the Tibetan by Toy Tung and Marie Friquegnon, Dharma Samudra, June, 2003 - Reflections on Childhood Binghamton: Global Scholarly Publications, December 2004 - The Tattvasiddhi and the Madhyamakalamkara with commentaries by Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche and Khentrul Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche, ed. by Marie Friquegnon, and translated by Khechen Palden Sherab Rinpoche, Khentrul Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche, MarieFriquegnon, and Arthur Mandelbaum, forthcoming. New York: American Institute of Buddhist studies, Columbia Unuversity, 2007..Series editor, Robert Thurman. ARTICLES IN JOURNALS “Paradoxes of Determinism,” Philosophy and Phenomenological Research, 1972 “Metaphor in Religion and Art,” Journal of Critical Analysis, 1971 “Pursuing Paradox,” Philosophy and Phenomenological Research, 1974 “God and Other Programs,” Religious Studies, Cambridge,1979 “Right and Responsibilities of Young People,” Thinking, February 1980 “Kohlberg at the Gap,” in Philosophy, Childhood and the Family, Plenum Press, 1982 “Childhood’s End: The Age of Responsibility, Thinking, February 1984 “Tibetans Don’t Oppose Technological Change” Letter, The New York Times, September 1988 “The Transforming Buddha” in The Journal of Ethical Culture, Fall 1990 “Philosophical Problems of Child Abuse” with Wilavene Ecker in Victims of Crime, Plenum Press, 1991 “Children’s Responsibilities” in Thinking Children and Education, Matthew Lipman (Ed.), Dubuque: Kendall/Hunt, 1993 “Ethics of the Global Village” in Questioning Matters, Daniel Kolak (Ed.), Mayfield 2000 “Buddhism in Kalmykia” with Maris Abelson in Pema Mandala, Spring 2000. “What is a Child” in Thinking, Vol. 13, No. 1 “Witchcraft and Rationality” in Academic Forum, Fall 2001 “The Sangha and 9/11” Pema Mandala Fall 2002 "The following articles for The Encyclopedia of Holy Persons: ”,” Longchenpa”, “Machig Lodron”, “ Mipham”, “Santaraksita”,”Yeshe Tsogyal”, ed. Karna Huges, in print and internet. “Personal Identity and Reincarnation in Buddhism”in Journal of Comparative Indian, Chinese and Islamic Philosophy New York: Global Scholarly Publications, 2007. RECENT LECTURES “Buddhist Philosophy”, Conference at Union Theological Seminary, Spring 2001 “Tibetan Buddhist Philosophy New Jersey City University, Spring 2000 “Buddhist Philosophy” Union Theological Seminary, Spring 2001 “Buddhist Philosophy and Meditation” Conference at Bard College 2002 “Genocide in Tibet” Holocaust Conference William Paterson University 2002 "Buddhism, Free Will and Liberation" at Hawaii International Conference for Art and the Humanities, January, 2003 “Santaraksita and Cognitive Science” William Patersom University Faculty Research Seminar. Spring 2003 “Tibetan Buddhism, Free Will and Liberation”,Conflict Resolution and Interfaith Dialogue, Cathedral of St. John the Divine, April 2003 “Teaching Tibet” Lecture and workshop in Teaching Asia, William Paterson University, April 2003 “Santaraksita and the Logic of the Tantra” Conference: The Heritage of Nalanda” Nalanda. India 2006. “Santaraksita and Modern Philosophy” American Philosophical Association, Chicago, 2003””Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Ethics” Conference on Ancient and Medieval Philosophy, Fordham 10/06 “Buddhist Ethics: A system of Checks and Balances” Conference: Buddhism in the 21st Century, Bodhgaya, 2/07.

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