Visuddhi and Tazkiyyah : an analysis on purification in the views of Buddhism and Islam

Abstract

Various religions emphasise the importance of both inner peace and global peace. Inner peace and world peace are interconnected ideals in religious beliefs. Inner peace is intrinsically linked to spirituality, encompassing processes of spiritual purification. Despite Buddhism and Islam being recognised as religions that advocate global peace, contemporary portrayals sometimes depict encounters between Buddhists and Muslims as confrontational. In light of the modern human's prevailing lack of inner tranquillity and spiritual fulfilment, it becomes evident that establishing a robust foundation for mutual engagement, rooted in the exploration of spiritual foundations and shared attributes between Buddhism and Islam, could profoundly contribute to fostering mutual comprehension amidst adherents of both religions. Thus, this thesis focuses on the meticulous analysis and comparison of spiritual purification practices: Buddhist Visuddhi from Buddhagosa's "Visuddhimagga" and Islamic S?f? thought of Tazkiyyah from al-Ghazali's "I?y?? ?Ul?m al-d?n." The primary objective of this study is to illuminate the converging aspects of Visuddhi and Tazkiyyah within the realm of spirituality. Employing qualitative and library-based and analytical methodology, the spiritual dimensions of both religions are scrutinized using primary and secondary sources, encompassing languages such as Pali, Arabic, English, Sinhala, and Tamil. The presentation of the teachings and practices of Visuddhi and Tazkiyyah leverages descriptive and comparative methods. Furthermore, the historical approach is employed to delve into the historical evolution of Buddhagosa’s "Visuddhimagga" and al-Ghazali’s "I?y?? ?Ul?m al-d?n." The outcomes of this study underscore that the purification in Buddhism is based on mind while soul in Islam yet the pertinence of adopting Visuddhi and Tazkiyyah as shared themes in interreligious endeavors between Buddhists and Muslims. Conclusively, despite the apparent distinctions, noteworthy congruence emerges in the practices of Visuddhi and Tazkiyyah, serving as a basis for fostering enhanced interreligious understanding and collaboration between the two communities