Book Review: The Buddha-Word As Cosmic Doctrine; Peace, Compassion and Wisdom Guide by Herath M Goonetilleke. Published by Buddhist Cultural Centre, Nedimala, Dehiwala, Sri Lanka
A recent study on Buddha’s teaching by an eminent research scholar has been hailed by religious study circles as an enlightening interpretation that would enhance efforts for seeking peace and internal spirituality of man and external sectors within the society through the middle path shown by the great religious teacher.
The Buddha-Word As Cosmic Doctrine; Peace, Compassion and Wisdom Guide by Herath M Goonetilleke, while giving the correct interpretation of Buddhist philosophy, succeeds in discarding extreme, false and wrong ideologies and reaching social well – being and economic development through the law of Dhamma or righteousness.
Professor John Mathew, President Nonsectarian School of Religions of Harvard Divinity School’s research center for the comparative, historical and cultural study of the world’s major religions and spiritual traditions hailed this publication saying, “I strongly believe in creationism id est: the God has created human world and the universe. However, this book clearly and properly describes the middle path which includes universal peace message preached by the Lord Buddha for peace, welfare, progress and betterment of entire human being. In fact, this treatise would be more useful as it describes practically and spread the peace message among present world citizens to spend their lives peacefully.” Hence Herath M Gunathilleke’s research publication could be considered as an outstanding achievements on world peace. Prof Mathew went to the extent of nominating this treatise as the most appropriate one for Nobel Peace award.
The present world is suffering from terrible terrorism, human violence including war while most of the areas are faced with the threat of famine such as food shortage and numerous epidemics. People undergo much difficulties and have become severe helpless and suffering with the present social -economic decline.
The Society, according to the Buddhism, like every other process in nature was liable to change from time to time. The factors that determined this change were economic and ideological, for men were led to action by their desires and beliefs. Therefore, according to the teachings in Buddhism there are two main reasons for social change, revolution and evolution.
The decline of human economy occurred due to depreciation of limited resources as a result of competition and massive consumption with unlimited greed and craving of man. The other reason is man’s either political or religious fundamentalist extremism derived from their false incorrect and wrong ideologies. Prof Mathew further stated that the most important fact depicted clearly in this book is the possibility to achieve peace and prosperity in internal spirituality of man and external sectors within the society through the middle path shown by the Buddha while discarding extreme, false and wrong ideologies and reaching social well – being and economic development through the law of Dhamma or righteusness.
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