THE SNOW LION NEWSLETTER

Vatican Sends Good Wishes to Buddhists in the Holy Vesak Season

New York, May 19, 2005 - As the followers of Sakyamuni Buddha observe the birth, enlightenment and demise of their Teacher by redoubling efforts at meritorious deeds, the Vatican sends its greeting to the "Buddhist friends", wishing them joy "as individuals, as families and as communities."

The message, signed by Archbishop Michael L. Fitzgerald, President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, expressed the belief that "in many places where Buddhists and Catholics live together they will use the moment to consolidate the good relations which already exist between them."

"In countries where Buddhists and Christians live and work side by side, the resulting 'dialogue of life' allows them, while witnessing to their own beliefs, to deepen their understanding of one another, to foster goodwill and to promote a spirit of neighbourliness."

Expressing delight with the ongoing dialogue and interaction between the Catholics and Buddhists, the Vatican's message said "a particular bond has developed between many Buddhist and Catholic monks and nuns. They have welcomed one another into their respective monasteries and convents joining together in silence, meditation and reflection. Some communities have been able to cooperate in the social field and, in a world marked by violence, are working together in the cause of peace."

Invoking Nostra Aetate, the Vatican reaffirmed that this "Magna Carta" of the Catholics' relations with people of other traditions rejects nothing of what is true and holy in other religions.

Nostra Aetate (meaning "In Our Time") is the Vatican's Declaration on the relation of the Church to non-Christian religions.

Passed by a vote of 2,221 to 88 of the assembled bishops at the Second Vatican Council, and promulgated on October 28, 1965 by Pope Paul VI, the declaration recognized that "Buddhism, in its various forms, realizes the radical insufficiency of this changeable world; it teaches a way by which men, in a devout and confident spirit, may be able either to acquire the state of perfect liberation, or attain, by their own efforts or through higher help, supreme illumination."

Likewise, Nostra Aetate proclaimed Catholic Church's sincere respect for Islam, Hinduism and Judaism, mentioning that these religions too "try to counter the restlessness of the human heart, each in its own manner, by proposing "ways," comprising teachings, rules of life, and sacred rites.