• Burmese
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
The Irrawaddy
27 °c
Yangon
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
No Result
View All Result
The Irrawaddy
No Result
View All Result
Home News Burma

Pope Francis, Senior Buddhist Monks Stress Religious Leaders’ Role in Fostering Peace 

Tin Htet Paing by Tin Htet Paing
November 29, 2017
in Burma
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0 0
A A
Dr. Bhaddanta Kumarabhivamsa, chairman of the State Sangha Committee, left, and Pope Francis, right, attend a meeting of the Sangha Maha Nayaka, Myanmar’s highest Buddhist authority, in Yangon on Wednesday. / Myo Min Soe / The Irrawaddy

Dr. Bhaddanta Kumarabhivamsa, chairman of the State Sangha Committee, left, and Pope Francis, right, attend a meeting of the Sangha Maha Nayaka, Myanmar’s highest Buddhist authority, in Yangon on Wednesday. / Myo Min Soe / The Irrawaddy

6.7k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

YANGON—In a meeting with the Sangha Maha Nayaka, the country’s highest Buddhist authority, in Yangon on Wednesday, Pope Francis joined Myanmar’s leading Buddhist monks to stress the role of religious leaders in fostering peace and harmony.

Francis, the leader of the Catholic Church, arrived in Myanmar on Monday for a four-day visit, becoming the first pontiff to visit the Buddhist-majority Southeast Asian country, where Christians make up less than 6.2 percent of the population and Muslims less than 5 percent.

The pope emphasized that Buddhism and Christianity shared the aim of surmounting all forms of intolerance, prejudice and hatred, quoting from both St. Francis of Assisi and the Dhammapada, a collection of Buddha’s sayings. Francis said, “The words of the Buddha offer each of us a guide: ‘Overcome the angry by non-anger; overcome the wicked by goodness; overcome the miser by generosity; overcome the liar by truth’ (Dhammapada, XVII, 223). Similar sentiments are voiced in a prayer attributed to St. Francis of Assisi: ‘Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love. Where there is injury, let me bring pardon…  Where there is darkness, let me bring light, and where there is sadness, joy.’”

RelatedPosts

Myanmar Junta Boss Charged with Hypocrisy Over Pope Francis’ Death

Myanmar Junta Boss Charged with Hypocrisy Over Pope Francis’ Death

April 24, 2025
10.8k
Pope Francis Dead at 88

Pope Francis Dead at 88

April 21, 2025
292
32 Bodies Found, Scores More Missing in Myanmar Jade Mine Collapse

32 Bodies Found, Scores More Missing in Myanmar Jade Mine Collapse

January 17, 2025
768

The pope added, “May that wisdom continue to inspire every effort to foster patience and understanding, and to heal the wounds of conflict that through the years have divided people of different cultures, ethnicities and religious convictions.” He told the meeting that to ensure that every voice is heard, such efforts are the responsibility of state officials, civil society and religious leaders.

He also commended the ongoing work of the Panglong Peace Conference and prayed for the promotion of greater participation of all people who live in Myanmar.

“If these efforts are to bear lasting fruit, greater cooperation between religious leaders will be required,” Francis said.

“Opportunities for religious leaders to encounter one another and for dialogue are proving to be a notable element in the promotion of justice and peace in Myanmar,” he added.

Dr. Bhaddanta Kumarabhivamsa, chairman of the State Sangha Committee, said leaders of all religions must strive to act as builders of a harmonious human society through their respective religious teachings in consolidating peace and security.

“We, members of different faiths, urgently need to build mutual understanding, respect and trust among ourselves, in order to obtain a peaceful, secure and prosperous human society.”

Denouncing and condemning all kinds of hate speech, false propaganda, conflict and war, and those who support such activities, the head monk urged religious members to cooperate in building bridges for world peace and to speak out publicly against the misuse of religion.

The chairman of the State Sangha also rejected “terrorism and extremism” in the name of religious belief, saying original religious teachings had been manipulated by “some religious followers.”

“We firmly believe that terrorism and extremism arise out of misapprehension of original teachings of the respective religions, because some religious followers introduce amendments to the original teachings, being dominated by desire, ill-will, dread and delusion: the four wrong courses,” the leading monk said at the meeting.

The pope made his appeal at an open-air mass in Yangon on Wednesday morning. He will conclude his visit and head to Bangladesh on Thursday.

Your Thoughts …
Tags: Pope FrancisSangha Maha Nayaka
Tin Htet Paing

Tin Htet Paing

...

Similar Picks:

Myanmar Junta Boss Charged with Hypocrisy Over Pope Francis’ Death
Burma

Myanmar Junta Boss Charged with Hypocrisy Over Pope Francis’ Death

by The Irrawaddy
April 24, 2025
10.8k

Taking time out from bombing houses of worship across the country, Min Aung Hlaing sent a message of condolence to...

Read moreDetails
32 Bodies Found, Scores More Missing in Myanmar Jade Mine Collapse
Burma

32 Bodies Found, Scores More Missing in Myanmar Jade Mine Collapse

by Hein Htoo Zan
January 17, 2025
768

Recovery efforts have ground to a halt after homes and workers’ tents were buried under tons of mud in the...

Read moreDetails
Pope Francis Dead at 88
World

Pope Francis Dead at 88

by AFP
April 21, 2025
292

The reform-minded head of the Catholic Church, who upset traditionalists by rejecting pomp and circumstance, died shortly after making an...

Read moreDetails
Pope Francis Urges World to Focus on Myanmar People’s Struggle
Burma

Pope Francis Urges World to Focus on Myanmar People’s Struggle

by The Irrawaddy
September 26, 2022
3.4k

The Catholic leader referred to the junta’s recent massacre of schoolchildren in Depayin, urging that their ‘cries not go unheard’.

Read moreDetails
Pope Urges Access for Cyclone Mocha Relief in Myanmar
Burma

Pope Urges Access for Cyclone Mocha Relief in Myanmar

by AFP
May 29, 2023
2.1k

The pontiff’s call follows the UN’s appeal last week for the military junta to ensure aid reaches the estimated 800,000...

Read moreDetails
Pope Francis and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in Naypyitaw on Tuesday. / State Counselor Office
News

Pope Francis Preaches Unity on Visit to Myanmar

by The Irrawaddy
November 28, 2017
5.9k

Pope says diversity can be a source of strength amid international condemnation of the military’s treatment of Myanmar’s Rohingya minority.

Read moreDetails
Load More
Next Post
KIA soldiers at Chyasam Hka, a post near the frontline with the Myanmar Army. / Lawi Weng / The Irrawaddy

KIA Reports Frequent Clashes with Tatmadaw Throughout November 

Lava, inside the crater of Mount Agung volcano, reflects off ash and clouds, while it erupts, as seen from Amed, Karangasem Regency, Bali, Indonesia, Nov. 30, 2017. / Reuters

Indonesia Reopens Bali Airport as Wind Clears Volcanic Ash

No Result
View All Result

Recommended

Is TNLA, Under Chinese Pressure, Conceding Northern Shan Gateway to the Regime?

Is TNLA, Under Chinese Pressure, Conceding Northern Shan Gateway to the Regime?

5 days ago
1.3k
China is Systematically Dismantling Tibetan Monastic Traditions

China is Systematically Dismantling Tibetan Monastic Traditions

2 days ago
1.3k

Most Read

  • Myanmar Junta Attacks to Reclaim KIA’s Jade and Rare Earth Strongholds

    Myanmar Junta Attacks to Reclaim KIA’s Jade and Rare Earth Strongholds

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • China’s Bet on Myanmar Junta Risks Backfiring

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • China is Systematically Dismantling Tibetan Monastic Traditions

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Updated Timeline: Key Events in the Life of Myanmar’s Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Defusing the Thai-Cambodian Border Row

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Newsletter

Get The Irrawaddy’s latest news, analyses and opinion pieces on Myanmar in your inbox.

Subscribe here for daily updates.

Contents

  • News
  • Politics
  • War Against the Junta
  • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
  • Conflicts In Numbers
  • Junta Crony
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Asia
  • World
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Election 2020
  • Elections in History
  • Cartoons
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Commentary
  • Guest Column
  • Analysis
  • Letters
  • In Person
  • Interview
  • Profile
  • Dateline
  • Specials
  • Myanmar Diary
  • Women & Gender
  • Places in History
  • On This Day
  • From the Archive
  • Myanmar & COVID-19
  • Intelligence
  • Myanmar-China Watch
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Fashion & Design
  • Videos
  • Photos
  • Photo Essay
  • Donation

About The Irrawaddy

Founded in 1993 by a group of Myanmar journalists living in exile in Thailand, The Irrawaddy is a leading source of reliable news, information, and analysis on Burma/Myanmar and the Southeast Asian region. From its inception, The Irrawaddy has been an independent news media group, unaffiliated with any political party, organization or government. We believe that media must be free and independent and we strive to preserve press freedom.

  • Copyright
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Team
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Burmese

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Business Roundup
  • Books
  • Donation

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.