Inter-faith dialogue: Christians' initiative for dialogue with Buddhists in Myanmar

Abstract

Religious pluralism has become a reality in both Asia and the West. Other religious traditions are presented as universal alternatives to the Christian faith. The adherents are expressing their beliefs with new vitality and new missionary zeal. Besides, Christians from Europe and the Western world have discovered the richness and values of other religious traditions. Therefore the question of whether it is appropriate for Christians to continue to claim Christianity as absolute, unique and final has become an issue. In answer to this question the thesis commences (chapters one and two) with biblical and theological backgrounds, designed to reconstruct the traditional theology which excludes people of other faiths from God's salvation scheme, unless they be converted to Christianity. A study of God's relationship with Israel, the Church and the Gentiles is presented from both the Old and the New Testament points of view. The theology of pluralism as presented by various theologians from both Asia and the West is studied. The primary theological issues of religious pluralism, as presented by some theologians, are those concerned with the nature of how people of other faiths can be included in God's salvific acts without conversion to Christianity and how Christians can relate to their neighbours of other faiths on equal terms as God's children and creation. Having searched for the biblical and theological mandate for theological reconstruction, the thesis proceeds to search for a method of approaching people of other faiths as an other faiths" is opted for by both Asian and Western theologians as the best and most effective method for Christian mission. As an understanding of other faiths is necessary for a successful and effective dialogue, the thesis continues (chapters three and four) with the study of Buddhism as its particular partner in dialogue. Buddhism as studied is very different from Christian faith. In spite of the differences, similarities and commonalities are found to an extent that dialogue is found to be possible between the two religions. As the theme of the thesis aims at dialogue with Buddhists in Myanmar, it searches the background for Buddhist-Christian dialogue in the country. Chapter five retraces how Buddhism came to be the dominant religion in Myanmar, how it encountered Christianity, and how Buddhists and Christians relate to each other in manner and in attitude. Chapter six concludes with some examples and evidences of how dialogue between Buddhist and Christian is made possible and how cooperation between the two can be developed in the process of dialogue. It expresses the hope that Christians in Myanmar may define their true identity as Christians amidst their Buddhist neighbors by accepting the reconstructed inclusive theology of pluralism, by learning to live in appreciation of the Buddhist faith, and by cooperating with them for peace and justice in the country.