Page 14 - The Indian EYE 051923

SPECIAL FEATURE MAY 19, 2023 | The Indian Eye 14

TOWARDS BETTER LIVING

Wisdom from the divine discourses of Pramukh Swami Maharaj

Principles for World Peace and Harmony

t the ‘Millennium World Peace
Summit of Religious and Spiri-
Atual Leaders’ held in New York
on August 29, 2000, Pramukh Swami
Maharaj addressed the unprecedent-
ed gathering of global religious lead-
ers. He emphasized that the unity of
followers makes a faith strong and
stable, likewise, the unity of faiths will
make our future strong and stable.
Below is the detailed speech.
DIALOGUE WITH RELIGIOUS
LEADERS
Inter-religious dialogue and har-
mony is our immediate need. Reli-
gious leaders should often meet and
talk to other religious leaders. We must
freely communicate with each other.
When we met the Pope in 1984,
many reporters asked, “What pur-
pose will the meeting of two reli-
gious heads serve?” We answered,
“Apart from creating understand-
ing and friendship, when religious
heads meet each other, it mitigates ourselves that every civilization, cul- “We are all atmans – pure spiritual then our world will be a much better
bitterness between the followers ture and religion born on this earth entities unattached to and unbound world. Therefore, we should steer
of the two faiths and helps gener- is like a gold mine, rich with values, by caste, country, race and religion.” our followers away from fanaticism
ate harmony.” A single meeting, a wisdom and vision. Let us share this And the Mahabharat says: “At- and focus on faith and pure living. If
simple dialogue can positively influ- legacy and construct a common plat- mavat sarve bhuteshu” - “Behold all we all work together, we will be able
ence the minds of millions. That is form of values for the rest of mankind living beings as oneself.” to bring large-scale transformation.
why we often say, ‘Religion is that to stand on. DIALOGUE WITH ONESELF
which spreads love for one another.’ From Rig Vedic times, Hindus DIALOGUE WITH FOLLOWERS Lastly, there is nothing more im-
In this age of growing environ- have professed this global broad- Dialogue among religious lead-
mental awareness, we have realized mindeness of a Beautiful Borderless ers is not enough, a dialogue with portant than engaging in a dialogue
with oneself. We must ask ourselves
the value of life and biodiversity and World with this prayer: “Ano bhadraha our own followers is more important. how close we are to the teachings of
are persisting to preserve all forms of kratavo yantu vishvataha” - “Let noble A religious leader alone can change our founders. When we are at peace
life. Then, what about religious diver- thoughts come to us from every side.” the minds of his followers. If every with ourselves and at peace with peo-
sity? Let every religion exist and flour- Our spiritual master, Yogiji Ma- religion concentrated on improving ple and things around us, only then
ish. No big religion should usurp and haraj, often said: “Maru e saru nahi the quality of spirituality of their own can we attain real peace. We must not
efface small religions. Allow them pan saru e maru” - “Think not that followers, then there would be more progress at the cost of others but sac-
to serve the world in their own small mine is the best, but that whatever is faith and less fanaticism. rifice a part of ourselves for the good
way. At this hour in human history, the best is mine.” Let us teach our followers that re- of others. Because:
we religious leaders should not dream The Upanishads say:”Ishii ligion does not grow by the quantity of “In the good of others lies our own,
of only One religion in the world, but vasyam idam sarvam, yat kincha numbers but by the quality of spirituali- In the progress of others rests our own,
dream of a world where all religions jagatyam jagat” - “In everyone and in ty. Vertical depth is much more import- In the joy of others lies our own.”
are One - United. Unity in Diversity is everything there is the divine presence ant than horizontal spread. A Hindu
the lesson of life. Flourishing together of God.” This spiritual unity connects should become a better Hindu, a Jew Once again I thank you all and
is the secret of peace. us with the entire creation. should become a better Jew, a Chris- pray that the organizers, the United
Just as the unity of our followers The Vedas say: “Amrutasya tian should become a better Christian, Nations, and all the people of our plan-
makes our faith strong and stable, putraha vayam” - “We all are the chil- and a Muslim should become a better et are blessed with peace, piety, and
unity of faiths will make our future dren of God.” Muslim. If the followers of every reli- progress by God and all the saints and
strong and stable. We must remind Bhagwan Swaminarayan says: gion become better and true followers, sages who have walked on our earth.

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