1. Issues in Contemporary Society
Focus… How does Buddhism get involved in interfaith
dialogue?
To begin…
What is interfaith dialogue?
Why do you think there is a need for interfaith dialogue?
Why should Buddhism get involved in interfaith dialogue? Refer to Buddhist teachings.

2. Issues in Contemporary Society
a) The significance of teachings that underpin involvement and support in and for liberationist approaches to religion and society, religious freedom, religious tolerance, pluralism and interfaith dialogue for Buddhists in a multicultural society.
b) The ways that Buddhists respond to diversity in different traditions of Buddhism. How different Buddhist traditions view other religious and non- religious world views and their truth claims.
c) The benefits, extent of the involvement and potential barriers from a Buddhist context, including the difference in application and importance of interfaith dialogue in light of different traditions of Buddhism, including the different cultural and country contexts in which Buddhists are found.
With reference to the ideas of the 14th Dalai Lama and K Sri Dhammananda.

3. Issues in Contemporary Society
Read and answer…
Why is mutual understanding and cooperation between religions important?
How did Buddha set the precedent for respecting other religions?
Why. Give some examples from Buddhist teaching and history that show Buddhism should have no prejudices.
Use a quotation to explain the main purpose of the Bhikkhus in Buddha’s time. What was not the purpose?
What did Buddha say Buddhism was not? What did he encourage people to do regarding religious truths?

4. Issues in Contemporary Society
Read and answer…
6. How did Emperor Ashoka influence beliefs about non-violence and
other religions? Include a quotation in your answer.
7. What does the author say about religions and violence?
8. Give reasons for why the author suggests there is a need for ‘the
religions of today to get together’.
9. What does the author suggest religions should not be ‘confined to’?
What should religion be doing?
10. What should different religions beliefs not be used for?
11. Explain why interfaith dialogue is possible (as suggested by the
author).

5. Issues in Contemporary Society
Read and answer…
12. Explain what Buddha says divides men among themselves. What
happens when this is overcome?
13. What does the author say religions should eradicate and
introduce? For what purpose?
14. Give examples if religious teachings (including a Buddhist one)that
suggests some religious values are very similar. What affect might
this have on interfaith dialogue?
15. Explain reasons why interfaith relations/dialogue may be
problematic. Give examples where Buddhist beliefs may differ and
make dialogue difficult. Refer to specific beliefs and attitudes to
specific issues.