Buddhist Leader Pays Tribute to Pope’s Interfaith Efforts

April 10, 2005

Source: The Tampa Tribune

http://tampatrib.com/opinion/MGBRB1IRB7E.html

On April 10, 2005 The Tampa Tribune ran a letter to the editor from K. Wipulasara, abbot of Florida Buddhist Vihara, on Pope John Paul II's legacy of interfaith work. Wipulasara wrote, "At a time when the need for tolerance of discrete religious beliefs and pluralistic views is so evident, the world has been blessed with spiritual guidance from individuals of the caliber of Pope John Paul II. History has made it clear that mere technological and scientific progress falls short of meeting humankind's deeper spiritual needs. Pope John Paul II certainly promoted the Catholic Church's desire for interreligious dialogue and cooperation in building a more just and fraternal world. His religious tolerance is vividly expressed by a notable quote during one of his many interactions with Buddhist societies, where he specifically recognized four great values of Buddhism - loving kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy and equanimity - as well as its 10 transcendental virtues and the joys of the Sangha (monastic community) as expressed in the Theragathas."