Abstract:
This research purposes 1) to study on concept and principles of the ASEAN
coexistence in accordance with religions and local wisdom, 2) to study on policy and
mechanism of the encouragement about this topic and 3) to study on problems and
obstacles and to present the integrity of policy practice principles and practices for
the ASEAN coexistence. This is a qualitative research, collecting information from
documents and informers who are leaders of the religion and politics for 50 persons
from Thailand, Myanmar, Lao, Malaysia and Cambodia by in-depth interview and
group discussion as researching tools. The received data were analyzed and
synthesized as knowledge to support the ASEAN coexistence concept. According to
the study result, it is founded that ASEAN coexistence came from 4 concepts and
practices which are
1) Religions: regarding to Buddhism, it focuses on the 5 precepts comprising of
sharing, mercy, kindness and endurance. For Christianity, it considers on the 1 0
commandments and teaching people to be kind and to love other humans as same
as loving themselves. For Islam, it focuses on 6 articles and 5 pillars of faith which
are to share and highlight on the 3 duties consisting of love, peace and goodness for
God, humans and self. For Hinduism, the Law Code of Manu is the major principle of
coexistence which points out to share their goodness and mercy.
2 ) International intellectuality and wisdom: every counter respects on
equality, non-discrimination, fairness and human rights to cherish the honor as being
human without exploitation.
3) Laws and Constitution: every country has set their own laws to provide
rights and freedom to populations in their religious beliefs and respect to each other.
4 ) Local Wisdom: Using traditional culture and tradition as a tool for the
peaceful community. The concept in number 1 is to strengthen the coexistence in
human's mind while the policy concept, international concept and local wisdom are
symbolized the things out of human's mind or what the society should have.
According to the research, it demonstrates that the policy and mechanism to
encourage the ASEAN coexistence has the concept and policy frameworks in
accordance with the law in the country, including ASEAN Charter and other
international ideas such as equality and human rights. Even though, there are
different problems and obstacles among these countries which relate to the
difference of cultures and religions, in fact, everyone is still capable to see the
mutual benefits more than policy and religious conflicts. The appropriate methods
for the peaceful ASEAN Community is "to find the mutual agreement and to
preserve the difference" in order to accept the coexistence on the variety of multi-
cultures.