The Roots/Judur/Shorashim initiative, founded by community activists Ali Abu Awwad and Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger in 2014, represents a shining example of the Buddhist teaching on right speech. This Palestinian-Israeli initiative seeks to foster understanding, nonviolence, and reconciliation between two deeply divided communities. In this essay, we will explore how Roots embodies the principles of right speech in Buddhism, drawing parallels to a Buddhist story and emphasizing the importance of this teaching in the context of conflict resolution.
Buddhist Teaching on Right Speech
In Buddhism, right speech is one of the components of the Noble Eightfold Path, which guides practitioners towards ethical and enlightened living. Right speech encourages individuals to communicate truthfully, kindly, and with mindfulness, avoiding harmful or divisive words. It emphasizes the power of words to either heal or harm, and the responsibility we bear for the consequences of our speech.
Roots: The Palestinian-Israeli Initiative
Roots, also known as Roots/Judur/Shorashim, was established with the primary goal of bridging the gap between Israelis and Palestinians through dialogue and trust-building. This initiative aligns perfectly with the Buddhist teaching on right speech in several ways:
- Truthfulness and Honesty: Roots promotes honest and open communication between Israelis and Palestinians. The willingness to confront the truth of the conflict, acknowledge the suffering on both sides, and engage in honest conversations is a fundamental aspect of right speech in Buddhism.
- Nonviolence and Compassion: Ali Abu Awwad, a key figure in Roots, embodies the principles of nonviolence and compassion. Despite personal loss and suffering, he chooses the path of dialogue and reconciliation over revenge and violence. This mirrors the Buddhist value of compassion, which encourages individuals to respond to hatred with love and understanding.
- Mindful Speech: Roots emphasizes the importance of mindful communication in a conflict-ridden environment. By facilitating meetings, workshops, and cultural exchanges, the initiative encourages participants to engage in thoughtful and conscious conversations, ensuring that their words promote understanding rather than exacerbating tensions.
- Healing Wounds: Robi Damelin, a Jewish woman who lost her son to the conflict, tours with Ali Abu Awwad to promote reconciliation. This act of healing and forgiveness aligns with the Buddhist belief in the transformative power of forgiveness and the capacity to mend deep-seated wounds through right speech.
Buddhist Story: The Story of Angulimala
The story of Angulimala, a notorious serial killer who later became a Buddhist monk, illustrates the transformative potential of right speech and compassion in the face of violence and hatred. Angulimala, whose name means “finger garland,” earned his moniker by collecting the fingers of his victims as gruesome trophies.
One day, Angulimala encountered the Buddha on his path. Despite his violent reputation, the Buddha approached him calmly and spoke words of wisdom and compassion. The Buddha’s unwavering kindness and right speech touched Angulimala’s heart deeply. He renounced his violent ways, embraced Buddhism, and became a monk devoted to a life of nonviolence and meditation.
The story of Angulimala teaches us that even in the most challenging circumstances, right speech and compassionate communication can lead to profound transformations. In Roots/Judur/Shorashim, Ali Abu Awwad and Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger are like the Buddha, offering the healing power of dialogue and reconciliation to a deeply divided community.
Buddhist Quote: The Words of the Buddha
The teachings of the Buddha provide a wealth of wisdom on right speech. One of the most relevant quotes in the context of Roots/Judur/Shorashim comes from the Dhammapada, a collection of the Buddha’s sayings:
“Speak the truth, do not yield to anger; give, if thou art asked for little; by these three steps thou wilt go near the gods.”
This quote encapsulates the essence of right speech, emphasizing the importance of truthfulness, non-anger, and generosity. Ali Abu Awwad and Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger, through their dedication to dialogue and reconciliation, exemplify the principles embedded in these words of the Buddha.
Conclusion
Roots/Judur/Shorashim, The Palestinian Israeli Initiative for Understanding, Nonviolence, and Reconciliation, serves as