DefinePK

Abstract

The intellectual debate regarding peaceful coexistence and harmony between religions is rare in Pakistan. Therefore, this project was designed to seek interfaith harmony in conservative or orthodox societies like Pakistan and Iran. For this purpose, authors with the assistance of the supervisor comparatively analyze the classical Buddhist text “Malinda Panha”, the famous intellect work of Iqbal “the Reconstruction of Religious Thoughts in Islam” and the philosophy of famous Iranian Shia-cleric Ali Shariati. This investigation provides the closest relationship between Islam and Buddhism within the context of distinct concepts – such as the concepts of attention, wisdom, perception, volition, consciousness, transmigration and rebirth, soul, doing evil knowingly and unknowingly, dilemmas, inference, asceticism, and similes –.
As the book “Malinda Panha” is based upon the discussions between Menander (king of Indo-Greek Kingdom of Yavanas) and Buddhist monk Nagasena – held in the Sagala (capital of Yavanas, old name of Sialkot) and Kishtwar (Kashmir) – this research highlights how Iqbal’s intellect has been inspired by the ideologies evolved within his native region. At the same time, the study also looks at Iranian intellects including famous Shia-cleric Ali Shariati who also follow Iqbal’s approach to seeking Peaceful coexistence and interfaith harmony in socio-religiously diverse societies.