The justification of religious pluralism

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2004
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Bangkok : Assumption University Press
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9746151819
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eng
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application/pdf
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17 pages
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The Role of Civic Religions in Emerging Thai Civil Society
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The story of the life of the Buddha as taught in monastic education in Thailand is a good illustration of a systematic interpretation of the Mangalasutta. It shows the Buddha to be perfect, as well as an agent of change for the world, taking action in every social problem presented. He was an altruist who intervened in situations that would have otherwise endangered the future of society. He demonstrated courage and selfless sacrifice for whole of mankind. That said, the traditional study of Buddhism in Thailand does not provide a system of practical illustration. Most stories of the Buddha focus on his roles as a miracle worker predestined to be the Buddha-as the Buddha is seen as godlike, it is not possible for mere followers to duplicate his examples of intervening in society. By associating a systematic analysis based on the Mangalasutta, it could be shown clearly that a practical set of ethical principles exist that are employable in everyday life. By doing so, the worship of the Buddha is not just the acts of rites and ritual, but rather a worshiping embodied by actually practicing Buddhism. It will strengthen both Buddhism as Thailand's national heritage and the emerging civil society. When the majority follows the Mangalas, society becomes a community of care in which morality serves as a commonwealth, mobilized by the living spirit of the Buddha.
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