What do I learn from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.?

(Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.)

“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”

“When we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual:
Free at last! Free at last!
Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!”

(Excerpts from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘I have a dream’ speech.)

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the most powerful thinkers, speakers and visionaries in human history, especially in the twentieth century. His many ideal thoughts impact my life.

Dr. King’s words, which firstly introduced me, were “Love your enemy!” When I heard these words, I could feel - “It is strange” “It is impossible,” and “I don’t understand.” Actually, these words represent a real human being’s kind heart and high moral standards. Since I heard and thought about these words, I heartily admired Dr. King. Yes, as we are human beings, we suppose to love any of our friend or foe. We do not have to like our enemy but we can love them. Then, I think, sometimes, I may not like my wife, my children and even myself, but I love them. We can practice on our enemies in this way, too. As a traditional Buddhist, I worship almost everyday before I sleep. I always worship the Buddha, the Dhamma, the Sangha, Mada Pida (parents) and Arsariya (teachers). In the line of Arsariya, (among the teachers), Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is always included because of his highest moral teachings. After I worship, I also always spread the good impact, which I could get something from the worship, to everybody of the whole world, which included all my supporters and even those opposed to my ideals.

(Dr. Martin Luther King and former U.S. President John F. Kennedy)

(Mahatma Gandhi and Winston Churchill)

The second ideal, which I learned from Dr. King, was ‘Non-Violence,’ which was based upon his high moral values. As we are human beings, we should try to solve problems without violence. Nevertheless, actually, non-violence process can be practiced only for high moral people of both sides between activists and authorities. Therefore, only a few non-violence movements successfully met their goals in the world’s history, such as between Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violence movement in India and government of the United Kingdom; between Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s civil-rights movement and John F. Kennedy’s American government; between Nelson Mandela’s anti-apartheid movement in South Africa and South African government. Unfortunately, most of other non-violence movements have been brutally and systematically destroyed by the powerful violent authorities both nationally and internationally. Whether non-violence movements are successfully accomplished or not, we all must accept its high moral and ethical values in all societies of the world and we also must make the effort to change our world to become a moral world or spiritual universe.

(South African Non-Violence Leader Nelson Mandela)

Third ideal, which Dr. King left for us was, “Love is principle of the world.” We, as human beings, could reach for the Moon, Mars, Venus and Jupiter within one hour; but without respect and love for each other, it is nothing! We could have incredible modern terms and innovations; but without respect and love for each other, it is nothing! We could have and practice dozens of government systems; but without respect and love for each other, it means nothing. We all could be millionaires; but without respect and love for each other, it means nothing!

Fourth ideal, which Dr. King pointed, was about the globalization. He said that even before the breakfast, we depend on the half of the world because many materials in our bathrooms and kitchen come from several countries of world’s continents. For example, small tower in bath room come from Nicaragua, South America, while big tower and toothpaste are imported from Kenya, Africa and China, Asia. Stove in the kitchen come from Canada, North America, while glasses and silverware are imported from Australia, Australia and Iceland, Europe. The world is perfectly formed by itself. We have several skin colorful peoples. We have several religions and beliefs. We have several languages, foods, cultures, places, climates and products. One thing, which we have - does not have in the others; and another thing, which they have – does not have in our country; and vice-versa. This means we depend on each other. Nobody or no nation is perfect. We suppose to fill each others’ needs; we suppose to support each others’ weak points; we suppose to respect and love each other.

There are many spiritual and moral ideals of Dr. King, which taught and demonstrated for me and for us as well. Most of them are based upon great moral steps, such as tolerance, patience and non-violence. All these matters are also based upon compassion. Compassion based upon Love. As conclusion, what we have to heartily learn from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is – Let us try to construct a moral society, which based in recognize, support, respect and love for each other among us in both of nationally and internationally.

Thank you!

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