Pope’s visit to the Buddhist Supreme Patriach in Thailand, one of the Buddhist majority countries in Asia, is promotion of interreligious dialogue between Catholics and Buddhists.
When Pope Francis visited the Wat Ratchabophit Sathit Maha Simmaram Temple in Bangkok, he met with the Buddhist Supreme Patriach Ariyavongsagatanana IX. In his address to the Buddhist Supreme Patriach, the Pope ensures that their encounter was part of the journey of respect and mutual acknowledgement introduced by their predecessors.
Moreover, the Pope emphasized a culture of encounter. He said, “the culture of encounter is possible, not only within our world...” And he added his personal commitment to an open and respectful dialogue in the service of the peace and well-being of, to grow and live together with the people of Thailand as good neighbors through scholarly exchanges which lead to greater mutual understanding, as well as the exercise of contemplation, mercy and discernment.
Pope Francis exhorted to not only live togeter but also work together. He urged “the development of new charitable projects, by members of both religions, to be capable of generating and multiplying practical initiatives on the path of fratenity, especailly with regard to the poor and our much-abused common home.”
In his conclusion, he said, “In this way, we will contribute to the formation of a culture of compassion, fraternity and encounter, and his journey will continue to bear fruit in abundance.”
Pope’s apostolic visit really promoted interreligious dialouge between Catholics and Buddhists in the country where Buddhists are majority. His visit also strengthened not only the promotion of interreligious dialogue but also the faith of Catholic minority in the Kingdom of Thailand.
The Pope implemented the Church’s document entitled “Dialouge and Proclamation” by promoting interreligious dialogue with his visitation to the Buddhist Supreme Patriach in Bangkok, Thailand.
Fr. Raymond Kyaw Aung
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