YOURSAY 'Why turn it into a religious issue? Who uploaded that Johor surau video? Why did they upload the video?'

Top Buddhist priest says sorry over Johor surau row

Ferdtan: This is what Buddhism practised by the chief high priest of the Maha Vihara temple, K Sri Dhammaratana Nayake Maha - such a humble religious man offering to apologise without regard as to who is right or wrong.

If there are any wrong done to any party, he took it upon himself to defuse the issue by his apology. I am no Buddhist, but isn't that the teaching of Buddha?

For those who still want to place blame on whichever party, small minds they are, please follow the true example of the chief high priest. I read something and it said:

"Look to God for wisdom and calm. I am far more concerned with whether I am on His side than with asserting that He is on mine."

Ahmingchai: Buddhist teachings teach us to be tolerant, have mutual respect and if a misunderstanding arises, we should adopt the principle of "big issues transforms to small issues and small issues transforms to no issue" - the principle of tolerance.

I hope that this issue can be closed once and for all.

Holden: Shame on Malaysians that it must come to this. Isn't it about time that moderates speak up and articulate a kinder, gentler version of their faiths?

In fact, it is curious that the so-called moderate civil society has not come forward and taken a stand on the rabid stances of the deeply conservative factions.

Where are you Sisters in Islam and others? Let's hear your voices.

Hot Khong: I would like to hear comments from Muslim leaders of our country about this issue. Let's hear from the BN leaders, as well as the PAS leaders. Maybe even from the muftis.

Kgen: Why is PAS keeping quiet about this? They are supposed to be more tolerant than Umno now, so they should show some leadership.

Anonymous #73405473: If this is related to Islam, where is Jakim (Malaysian Islamic Development Department)? Why involve the police? If the police want to take action, then why not against those who uploaded the video ?

Keturunan Malaysia: How do you like that: "Top Buddhist priest says sorry over Johor surau row... Buddhists must respect the sensitivities of others in performing their own religious obligations."

We love to hear the so-called servants of God coming out with that kind of talk.

Mahatma Gandhi once said: "You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty."

Dalai Lama said: "Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive."

Anonymous #73405473: Actually this is a management problem, why turn it into a religious issue? Who uploaded that video? Why did they upload the video?

Cantabrigian: Many Muslims in Malaysia have never travelled overseas to non-Muslim countries where it is normal to share common prayer rooms among different religions and beliefs.

Hence their upbringing is defined by their restricted, localised view of Islam a la 1Malaysia, i.e. exclusive, conservative and non-liberal.

It is not surprising to see the (over)reaction of Muslim Malaysians on such matter but the fact that the non-Muslims, in this case Buddhists, are not aware of such sentiments is a bit perplexing.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. When in Malaysia, do as the Malays/Muslims do. If you don't want to do it, at least don't give them any excuse to blame you later.

Telestai!: No amount of rationalisation can explain why this group of Buddhists conducted their meditation in a surau. While this could be acceptable in Singapore where Muslims are the minority, something like this will not be tolerated in Malaysia.

Having a statue and conducting meditation in a Muslim place of worship is simply unacceptable.

I hope the religious authorities will be magnanimous in forgiving the Buddhists just as the Christians forgave the Muslims who partook the Holy Communion (and spat out the Elements) not too long ago.

VP Biden: Here's the difference between hate and love. Sikhs let Muslims pray during Eid in Gurdwara.

Skong: I hope all religious authorities and politicians should have the same attitude and take immediate action to apologise if they have done something that is not right, and ensure it will not happen again in future.

Fair&Just: Young Buddhist Association of Malaysia president Goh Qing Song, please don't use the works "disrespectful" as they are foreigners and may not know the high sensitivity of those in the authority here.

The foreigners could have been exposed to less stringent views of religion.

Touche: What is the big fuss? Both parties are innocent as they are not aware of the Talibanised Muslim Malaysian mentality.

Just stick a big sign outside the surau saying non-Muslims not allowed. Problem solved. Why the witch-hunt?

A mistake without malice should be forgiven

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