Exploring Interfaith Reconciliation in Pakistan and Iran; A Comparative Study of “Malinda Panha” and “The Reconstruction of Religious Thoughts in Islam”

Abstract

Within Pakistan, the discourse surrounding peaceful coexistence and religious harmony remains a seldom-explored terrain. In response, this project has been conceived to delve into the pursuit of interfaith harmony within traditionally conservative or orthodox societies, such as those in Pakistan and Iran. To accomplish this objective, the authors, under the guidance of their supervisor, conduct a comparative analysis of three key texts: the classical Buddhist work “Malinda Panha”, the renowned intellectual opus “The Reconstruction of Religious Thoughts in Islam” by Iqbal, and the philosophical contributions of the celebrated Iranian Shia cleric, Ali Shariati. This investigation endeavors to elucidate the intricate connections between Islam and Buddhism, particularly through the lens of distinct concepts, including but not limited to attention, wisdom, perception, volition, consciousness, transmigration, rebirth, the soul, the distinction between knowingly and unknowingly committing evil, dilemmas, inference, asceticism and similes.

Of noteworthy relevance is the text “Malinda Panha”, which chronicles the dialogues between Menander, the Indo-Greek king of Yavanas, and the Buddhist monk Nagasena. These exchanges occurred in the ancient locales of Sagala (the capital of Yavanas, currently known as Sialkot) and Kishtwar in Kashmir. This research underscores the profound influence of regional ideologies on Iqbal’s intellectual framework and how it resonates with his native environment. Simultaneously, the study probes the intellectual contributions of figures from Iran, notably the esteemed Shia cleric, Ali Shariati, who aligns with Iqbal’s approach in advocating for peaceful coexistence and interfaith harmony within socio-religiously diverse societies.