Buddhist monk calls for global understanding, respect of religions

Dec 31, 2021

BANGKOK: A prominent Thai Buddhist monk called on people around the world to understand their respective faiths to be able to “share and respect” other religions.

In an interview, senior Buddhist monk Phramaha Thongrattana Thavorn said, “there is no need for different religions to resist or compete with each other.”

The Thai monk is a member of the Focolare Movement, an international organisation that promotes the ideals of unity and universal brotherhood.

He adopted an Italian name, “Luce Ardente,” literally “ardent light,” a name that was given him by Focolare founder Chiara Lubich during a meeting in Italy more than a quarter of a century ago.

“We should respect the doctrine of all religions,” said the religious leader when asked how non-Catholic educators can respond to the call of Pope Francis to teach beyond what is in the school curriculum.

In his Global Compact on Education, the Pope urged educators to promote the wholistic development of children to not only have the necessary skills, but also the “right heart” to be able to make a positive impact on the world.

“I would like to ask that everyone, from every religion, make the effort to find the diamond — the real meaning of the doctrine — of their own faith,” said Luce Ardente.

He said each believer is a representative of his or her faith and “should delve deep into the doctrine of [his or her] religion so that, after careful study, they can share and promote the understanding of their religion to the world.”

In predominantly Buddhist Thailand, Catholic schools have historically played an important role in developing the youth, especially in the English language and views on the global community --LiCAS News