Inclusive Da’wah in the Islamic Tradition and Religious Dialogue in Hindu–Buddhist Traditions: A Comparative Study from the Perspective of Comparative Religion

Abstract

This study comparatively examines the concept of inclusive da'wah in the Islamic tradition with the patterns of religious dialogue that developed in Hindu–Buddhist thought. Scholarship in comparative religion has tended to treat these two traditions in separate analytical silos, thus missing substantial epistemological convergences. Through a qualitative approach grounded in library research with content analysis and comparative-narrative methods, this study examines primary textual sources from both traditions, enriched by secondary data from reputable international academic literature published between 2021 and 2026. The novelty of this study lies in the construction of a new conceptual framework called the "Cross-Truth Dialogue Model," which integrates the Islamic principle of wasathiyyah with the Hindu–Buddhist principles of ahimsa and sangha as a shared platform for dialogue. Findings reveal that both traditions share epistemologically compatible foundations in terms of respect for universal humanity, rejection of religion-based violence, and recognition of values of goodness that transcend traditional boundaries. The theoretical implications of this study enrich the discourse of comparative religious studies, while its practical implications provide an operational model for interfaith dialogue programs in pluralistic Southeast Asian societies.