To survive in the emerging complex societies, Buddhist organizations around the globe must look for the opportunities to work hand in hand, achieving common goals instead of digging out differences among the Buddhist sects. Identifying sameness and working to grow strong with these values ensure stability and prosperous the future of spreading the Dharma. On the other hand, fighting internally and trying to argue over the non-fundamental doctrines will only destroy the future of Buddhism.Throughout various history of mankind on the face of planet earth, we can conclude one thing in common, that is, we strive to seek for happiness and to improve the quality of life. In the journey to achieve this goal, we face many challenges and can sometime automatically forget about the root to solve the problems. No wonder, many who have tried to improve their quality of life through accumulating wealth and/or utilizing other worldly materials failed to satisfy their needs in the end. Sakyamuni Buddha reminds us that there are no materials in this world can overcome sufferings. "Monks, all conditioned things are of a nature to decay; strive to attain the goal by diligence." (Digha Nikaya II, 120). This is the truth of life. A cultivated and peaceful mind may lead us to improving the quality of our life. In reality, however, the dynamicity of environment (e.g., war, social instability) and our routines life have driven us away from cultivating our mind. Therefore, I believe a peaceful environment that is free from selfishness, fears, and hatreds, is a necessary condition to allow us practicing our beliefs and cultivating our spiritual pathways toward achieving the common goals. With a peaceful society, a peaceful mind can be attained. Let us send our thoughts and prayers to the Georgians and Russians recent conflicts. May their leaders are called to serve for peace, compassion, and boundless wisdom to save the lives of the people in both countries.

To achieve peace in the era of globalization, we need teamwork and the cooperation of everyone's resources. Our hard work is very significant so as to let the next generation live without selfishness, fears and hatreds. These conditions, I believe, are very crucial factors in ensuring the growth of Buddhist spiritual development in each individual, regardless of their sects.

On a broader issue, each Buddhist disciple must be able to be the change agent to fashion a peaceful future with our brothers and sisters from different religions and spiritual practices. Similar to the major world religions, Buddhism promotes peace. I quote a verse from the Dhammapada verse five that states:  "Hatred is never appeased by hatred in this world; by non-hatred alone is hatred appeased. This is an Eternal Law"[2] In addition to that, the last chapter of the Dhammapada disapproves of prejudicial distinctions because of favorable born-attributes.

"I do not call one a holy person because of one's lineage or one's high-born mother. If one has impeding attachments, one is just a supercilious person. But one who is free from impediments and clinging--such a one do I call a holy person"[3]
In the 8th century, a Mahayana poet, Santideva emphasized the above quote. In his great work, Bodhicaryavatara, he warned us about the dangers of hatred:

"There is no evil equal to hatred and no spiritual practice equal to forbearance. Therefore, one ought to develop forbearance, by various means, with great effort."

[4]  Prejudices exist in different forms. As a human, we are entitled to like certain colors or sounds, to dislike certain behaviors, conditions or styles of doing things. Indeed, the ability to form judgments and make choices discriminate human beings from other living creatures.

The problem arises when our own individual likes and dislikes become inflexible and we tend to force our own views to others. We forget that everyone has the same right to exercise their own preferences. Globalization impacts every aspects of multicultural society, ethnic and racial prejudices, and therefore these factors become a very important issue. As the results, it is easy to plant hatreds all over the world. Wars are conducted in the name of holy religion. Indeed, these irresponsible actions are rooted to greed, anger, and infatuation.