It is unfortunate that we could not visit the conflict areas of Poso and Palu. As a Buddhist, I believe that only careful and attentive listening to those in suffering can help alleviate their pain.

It was also a pity that only a number of leaders from the conflict areas could come to Jakarta. It is more helpful if we can listen to different people, young, old, men, women, as many ordinary people as possible.

My experience in Thailand is that the local people and the NGOs are interdependent. The NGOs collect, analyse and process data systematically: local people need to develop this ability. We get a more comprehensive picture when public figures, spiritual leaders, socially concerned academics, NGOs, grassroots voices and international friends all share their views.

I feel that the local people place too much hope in the Malino agreements. Personally, I do not have much faith in government: it is too big for a little problem and too small for a big problem. Political trickery, intrigue and betrayal are common in the experience of the poor in my country. I agree with the analysis that so long as conflict is of direct or indirect benefit to elites, violence and a reluctance to prevent it are intentional. The only hope lies in the indigenous communities.

It is not easy for me when the local people want to identify the culprits of violence. For me, it reflects a desire for retaliation or revenge: only the punisher is changed from oneself to the law. The legal process is secondary or at least not so urgent. If the communities are full of distrust and easily provoked, everyone can do harm, can become a culprit at any moment, today or tomorrow, no matter how gentle they used to be. Everyone can be dangerous to others.

For me, despite the time and patience needed, peace can be brought about only by peace. In addition to lobbying, as you do, we need a peace-building programme. At all levels, critical analysis is essential to understand the root causes of conflict and to prevent violent reactions to attack.

Peace-building is a long process of learning. My suggestion is that future interfaith peace missions should include interreligious dialogue, a learning process of empowerment and critical analysis, witnessing, and religious reinterpretation.

Dialogue is not negotiation. It is a process where all parties share their insights, experience, and caring, in order to understand each other and nurture trust. It is not information sharing but an exchange of what most concerns us as human beings.

A learning process is very important. People need to become responsible, self-reliant and dignified citizens. They need to cultivate compassion, wisdom and confidence, so as to have a say in running their own country.

Seeing what is happening on the ground encourages the local people, making them realize that they are not alone, and enhances the compassion and commitment of the visitors.

Reinterpreting religious teaching may be a sensitive suggestion. As Buddhists, we are free to question the teachings and to make them relevant to our own place and time. Other religions may prefer to speak of revitalization. To me, the essence of all religious teaching is that it is a reliable weapon to cut through conflict. It is a source of personal fulfilment and just and peaceful community.

Returning to my office, I was thinking about a training programme to provide understanding and critical analysis of structural violence and religious conflict for young people. Whether it could be based on Buddhist teaching to serve our INEB network members as a first phase, or be interreligious and more inclusive, still needs to be worked out. The INEB also has its limitations.

I just met with friends from the Christian youth movement in Thailand. They are worried about situation in Ambon, which has became fierce again. Please tell your people that we in Thailand, both Buddhists and Christians, recognize their sufferings and wish peace will prevail soon in a peaceful way.

Yours in the Dhamma,

Lapapan Supamanta
International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB)