THE APPLICATION OF SELFLESSNESS IN COEXISTENCE IN A MULTICULTURAL SOCIETY

Abstract

This research aims to 1) study the concept of coexistence in a multicultural society; 2) study the principle of Selflessness that appears in Buddhist scriptures; 3) apply the principle of Selflessness to coexistence in a multicultural society. This is a qualitative research using a documentary research method under the analytic, appreciative and applicative approach to lead to the application of philosophical and Buddhist knowledge. The research results found that 1) a multicultural society is a peaceful coexistence in a society with diversity, emphasizing the promotion of a balanced society with equality, freedom and justice, and promoting knowledge and understanding for subcultural groups to be harmonious and united, free from conflict and able to live together in a society with diversity happily. 2) The principle of Selflessness is considered an important principle that develops humans because it shows in terms of the principle of truth that all things have no essence of self and in terms of religious doctrine that perceives this world as Selflessness, meaning free from clinging to the belief that it is us, ours and our identity, in order to lead to freedom and happiness for everyone, and the benefits of living together with fellow human beings. 3) Resolving conflicts in coexistence in a multicultural society It is necessary to dissolve the ego, the conceit and the attachment to what is “us”. When the mind is dissolved with the application of “Selflessness” to coexistence in a multicultural society, it is considered the first opening that will allow coexistence, accepting differences but not dividing based on the principle of unity in diversity with wisdom and compassion.