VATICAN CITY- 30 April 2008 - 230 words
Message for Vesakh - 'Christians and Buddhists: caring for Planet Earth'
The annual Message to Buddhists for the
Feast of Vesakh was issued by the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious
Dialogue yesterday. The document was signed by Cardinal Jean-Louis
Tauran and Archbishop Pier Luigi Celata, respectively president
and secretary of the council.
Vesakh, the main Buddhist festivity, marks three fundamental moments
in the life of Gautama Buddha. It is held during the full moon
of the month of May because, according to tradition, Buddha was
born, achieved enlightenment and passed away in that period.
This year's message is entitled "Christians and Buddhists:
Caring for the Planet Earth". It indicates that "preservation
of the environment, promotion of sustainable development and particular
attention to climate change are matters of grave concern for everyone.
Many governments, NGOs, multi-national companies, and research
and tertiary institutes, in recognising the ethical implications
present in all economic and social development, are investing
financial resources as well as sharing expertise on bio-diversity,
climate change, environmental protection and conservation.
"Religious leaders too are contributing to the public debate.
This contribution is of course not just a reaction to the more
recent pressing threats associated with global warming. Christianity
and Buddhism have always upheld a great respect for nature and
taught that we should be grateful stewards of the earth. Indeed
it is only through a profound reflection on the relationship between
the divine Creator, creation and creatures that attempts to address
environmental concerns will not be marred by individual greed
or hampered by the interests of particular groups.
"On a practical level can we Christians and Buddhists not
do more to collaborate in projects which confirm the responsibility
that falls to each and everyone of us? Recycling, energy conservation,
the prevention of indiscriminate destruction of plant and animal
life, and the protection of waterways all speak of careful stewardship
and indeed foster goodwill and promote cordial relations among
peoples. In this way Christians and Buddhists together can be
harbingers of hope for a clean, safe and harmonious world".
The message concludes by expressing the hope that such ideas may
be promoted "within our respective communities through public
education and our good example in respecting nature and acting
responsibly towards our one common planet Earth".
Source: VIS
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