‘Sarva Dharma Sambhav’

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: The South Asia Interfaith Harmony Conclave 2007, held recently in the capital, opened myriad layers of faith as Bahai, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Judaism, Sikhism, and Zoroastrianism matched notes.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh inaugurated the Conclave by recalling how in 1893 Swami Vivekananda impressed upon our civilisational tradition of accepting the greatness of all religions while speaking at the Parliament of World’s Religions in Chicago.

“This is a simple but exceedingly important idea. It was not religious ‘tolerance’ that Swamiji valued, as much as religious ‘harmony’. True harmony is based on mutual respect and regard,” he said.

However, does not the socio-cultural and political context in which religion functions decide to a large extent its manifestation?

“Every nation will have to learn to deal with the political, cultural and social consequences and implications of this growing phenomenon of diversity. No modern and open society can be a monolith. Our Constitution is based on equal respect for all faiths. This idea of equality is important. The numerical notions of majority community and minority community are based on political and social concepts. They are not spiritual categories,” was his thoughtful observation.

Not many realise that four of the world’s great faiths trace their roots to India — Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism. Besides, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Christianity and Islam have flourished on this land for centuries. A true celebration of unity in diversity is it not?

“Religion has always been a major factor in the growth of human civilisation. Whether it is art or architecture, music or literature, philosophy or law, moral codes or spiritual texts, many of the glorious achievements of the human race can be traced back to religion. But let us have the courage to admit that there have also been negative contributions — mass killings, pogroms, inquisitions, torture, persecution, vandalism and bigotry have all at some point of time been perpetrated in the name of religion. The crowning irony is that these have been done in the name of a divinity which every religion looks upon as being merciful and compassionate,” Dr Karan Singh, President, Indian Council for Cultural Relations and chairman, the Temple of Understanding, said.