Buddhist Professor Enlightens Wyomissing Audience About His Religion

November 19, 2009

Author: Dan Kelly

Source: Reading Eagle

http://www2.readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=168829

 

When it comes to keeping the peace, Buddhists might not be the best persons to call on.

Despite their calm, meditative reputation, Buddhists don't believe there's a difference between good and evil, said Dr. Victor J. Forte, assistant professor of religious studies at Albright College, and a practicing Buddhist.

Instead, Buddhists believe that good and evil must coexist rather than do battle.

"Problems like violence come out of making those types of distinctions," Forte said.

Once people start concluding that one religion, or nation or people are good and another religion, nation or people are evil then there isn't anywhere to go diplomatically, he said.

"It leads to some dangerous conclusions," Forte told about 50 members of the World Affairs Council of Greater Reading at the organization's fifth World Religions Breakfast Series at the Wyomissing Family Restaurant, 1245 Penn Ave.