Buddhist Leader in Madura Condemns Violence against Rohingyas
28 May 2015 08:28 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Kosala Mahinda, a Buddhist leader from Madura, has condemned the eviction of Rohingya Muslims from their homeland of Myanmar, saying the act was not reflective of the Buddhist teachings.
“Buddhist teachings are about compassion and love for others,” he said on Thursday morning, adding that the persecution of Rohingya Muslims should not have happened.
“We hope the conflict in Myanmar can be addressed soon. The United Nations must take action to stem the problem, otherwise this will pose a threat to religious harmony across the globe,” said the chairman of Vihara Avalokitesyara Foundation in Candi village, Polagan sub-district, Galis district, Madura, East Java.
Kosala said religious harmony and mutual respect among people of different religions had thus far been well-preserved in Indonesia, including in Pamekasan, Madura.
Kosala Mahinda is known as an award recipient from the Indonesian Museum of Records (MURI) for pioneering religious harmony and transforming his temple as the most unique in the world.
“We can live in harmony because we fully comprehend and practice our teachings, and that any kind of violence and hostility is against the teachings of any religion,” he said.
ANTARA
