238 Global Ethics for Leadership
- bhāvanāmaya paññā, wisdom based on mental development
[meditation].^194
Buddhist teachings support the progression from listening to deep
listening. Therefore, Buddhism can be a party to, and an asset for, effec-
tive interreligious dialogue.
17.3.2 From the Edicts of Aśoka to Interreligious Dialogue
King Aśoka (3rd century BCE; reigned 273/267-237/232), a great
supporter of and convert to Buddhism, reflected on his experiences and
understanding of the essence of Buddhism to support ‘deep listening’
and the proper attitudes towards others in his famous ‘Rock Edict’:
One should not honour only one’s own religion
and condemn the religions of others, but one
should honour others’ religions for this or that
reason to grow and render service to the
religions of others too. In acting otherwise one
digs the grave of one’s own religion and also
does harm to other religions. Whoever honors
his (her) own religion and condemns other
religions, does so indeed through devotion
to his own religion, thinking ‘I will glorify my
own religion’. But on the contrary, in so doing
he (she) injures his (her) own religion more
gravely. So concord is good: Let all listen, and
be willing to listen to the doctrines professed
by others.^195194
DN III 33.43, PTS III 219. For the English translation see: Walshe, M. (1995)
(Ed.) The Long Discourses of the Buddha. A Translation of the Dīgha Nikāya
Boston: Wisdom Publications, 486. 195
Rahula, W. (2005) What the Buddha Taught, Bangkok: Haw Trai, 4 f.