COUNCIL MESSAGE FOR BUDDHIST FEAST OF VESAKH

VATICAN CITY, APR 30, 2001 (VIS) - Cardinal Francis Arinze, president of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, sends a message each year to Buddhists on the occasion of their most important annual feast, Vesakh, which commemorates the principal events in the life of Buddha. In countries of the "theravada" tradition, Vesakh will be celebrated this year on May 7, whereas dates vary for countries of the "mahayana" tradition. The cardinal's 2001 message is entitled "Buddhists and Christians: Together Promoting a Culture of Dialogue."

In the Message, released in English and French, Cardinal Arinze notes that the United Nations designated 2001 as "The International Year of Dialogue between Civilizations. ... The dialogue of civilizations, the dialogue of cultures and the dialogue between religions are nothing less than human encounters whose purpose is to build up a civilization of love and peace. We are all called to promote such dialogue."

"During their long histories," the council president adds, "both Christianity and Buddhism have developed particular ways of expressing themselves in distinct cultural forms. ... Without ignoring our differences, and with utmost respect for the demands of truth, let us recognize the treasures of each other's traditions."

Citing Pope John Paul II's Message for the 2001 World Day of Peace, Cardinal Arinze said that, "in building the civilization of love, ... we need 'to overcome all ethnocentric selfishness'. This will make it possible 'to combine regard for one's own identity with understanding of others and respect for diversity'."

CON-DIR;BUDDHISTS; VESAKH;...;ARINZE;VIS;20010430;Word: 240;