Abstract:
The thesis entitled A comparative study of the concept of peaceful means in the doctrine of Theravada Buddhism and Islam has three objectives, 1) to study the concept of peaceful means in the doctrine of Theravada Buddhism, 2) to study the concept of peaceful means in the doctrine of Islam, and 3) to comparatively study of the concept of peaceful means in in the doctrine of Theravada Buddhism and Islam. This thesis is of qualitative research by collecting data from documents and related research.
The results of research were as follow:
The peaceful means in Buddhism means Nibbana (liberation), peace from defilements, and calmness of thought. The concept of peaceful means in Theravada Buddhism is the method of violence solution without using violence against other both human and living beings. There are three types of peaceful means in Theravada Buddhism, namely, a tool for conflict management, a tool for living, and a tool demanding needs. The doctrine of peaceful means in Theravada Buddhism is that of peace for oneself society. The value and importance of peaceful means in Theravada Buddhism is the conflict resolution by non-violence for building of peace in the society. The factor and condition of peaceful means in Theravada Buddhism are of understanding the principles of peaceful means correctly leading peace to oneself and others.
The peaceful means in Islam means peacefulness, happiness and security. The concept of peaceful means in Islam is to create the peacefulness without violence and hatred in society. There are three types of peaceful means in Islam, viz., peace to oneself, society, and the world. The principles of peaceful means in Islam are-- justice, equality, morality, ethics, and brotherhood. The value and importance of peaceful means is an important principle in the society and the world by using the justice and non-violence, including no hatred to others. The factor and the condition of peaceful means is that all human beings are equal. The creation of peace in society to reduce the conflict as the saying of Muhamad: to hold mainly in forgiveness, and may you all be peaceful.
From the comparison of the concept of peaceful means in the doctrine of Theravada Buddhism and Islam it was found that both of them have the same implication that peaceful means is the way of practice to build peace in the society by not using violence to others. This is the important doctrine in religion that express of loving-kindness, compassion to oneself, society, and the world. The difference was that peaceful means in Theravada Buddhism is the concept that builds peace for oneself and others with the highest goal at Nibbana (liberation), whereas peaceful means in Islam is the concept for building peace for oneself and others by having highest goal at peace to society.
Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University. Center Library