If only the peoples of the Korean peninsula, of the Balkan Peninsula, in Taiwan, in China, in Israel and in the Arab states could rise to that level of mutual respect and selflessness, then how could peace in this world not be far behind? A fundamental Buddhist principal is that we all should respect and treat one another equally. Buddhists are enjoined to respect all nations of the world, all races, social classes, genders, and ages among people. Two thousand five hundred years ago in India, the Buddha said, "When the rivers run into the sea, they all lose their separate names; when the four castes enter into Buddhism, they lose all distinctions among them." Because of this inherent equality in Buddhism, monastics and believers during and after the time of the Buddha were able to unite and carry the teachings of the Buddha to every corner of India. From India, Buddhism has spread easily and quickly throughout the world. Because Buddhists believe in the fundamental equality of all cultures, they are able to respect and adapt readily to the ways of other people. In all of human history, there never has been a war fought over Buddhism. Buddhism teaches very clearly that when there is first respect and a sense of equality among people, there will never be war among them. This is the prescription for peace and progress. People often say, "Perfect equality does not exist in this world." It is true that equality among all worldly occurrences is difficult to establish, yet we can start by strengthening our appreciation and understanding of equality within our hearts A mother teaches her child how to eat by opening her own mouth first and acting as a model to her child. In this way, the milk of human love flows easily between them. A father lets his body be used like a horse by his children. When they ride
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