Unity

[Guest guest]

Pranam. I read this in another group and wished to share..

With Love

Shankaree

 

All over again the universal and timeless message from the non-aggressive

traditions spread out from Sarnath-Varanasi on November 25-26 for

internalisation by the international community. Seventy-three monks and

scholars from 17 countries of Asia, Europe and the US and 265 of them from

India, representing varied dhamma streams, e.g., Buddhism, Hinduism,

Sikhism, Jainism, Taoism, etc., drove home the message that in order to

reinstate the culture of mutual acceptance and respect, peaceful

co-existence, co-operation and co-creation must open friendly, sincere,

positive and constructive outlets of interaction. The event—Dharma Sanskriti

Sangam—was organised by Vishwa Buddha Sanskritik Pratishthan. Before this

event a high-level delegation from India under the guidance of Shri Bhante

Jnan Jagat Maharaj, president of the Pratishthan, had visited 15 countries

of the world to meet the scholars there.

 

The historic 'declaration', made and signed at the Shatabdi Bhavan of

Sampurnananda Sanskrit University, Varanasi, on last day of the Dharma

Sanskriti Sangam, is eloquent about their holistic agenda and the calendar

of activities. The declaration said the world cultures and religious

traditions based on eternal, universal dharma have always promoted harmony,

peace and progress through centuries. "While emphasising this we commit

ourselves on this historic meet of representatives of these cultures at

Sarnath-Varanasi to promote unity in diversity by establishing understanding

through dialogues and deliberations. Whereas the world is facing serious

challenges from aggressive religious and secular forces causing intolerance,

violence, lawlessness, and exploitation of nature and mankind, it is

declared that a new world order based on truth, spirituality and holistic

approach should be evolved with political will and public determination.

Whereas it is proper to promote religious freedom to practice one's own

religion without any form of suppression from state or society, it is

imperative to emphasise that sanctity of freedom of religion does not by any

means imply any right to impinge upon the freedom, much less planned

programmes of destruction of other religions and their cultures. Whereas the

aggressive religions have failed to establish harmony, it is incumbent upon

dharma-based traditions to educate, motivate, and lead the world to freedom

from conflicts. For this purpose, we emphasise the need for all these

traditions to come together, evolve and promote effective and appropriate

means," the declaration added.

 

Inaugurating the Sangam at Sant Atulanand residential school auditorium,

Shankaracharya of Jyotishpeeth Swami Vasudevanand Saraswati said in order to

stop the increasing violence, coordination amongst all dhamma-based cultures

was essential.

 

VHP president Shri Ashok Singhal said the exclusivist, fundamentalist and

aggressive Christian and Islamic forces were responsible for the spread of

violence. "Both are playing one-upmanship to establish their hegemony over

and swallow up the non-aggressive traditions of the world. They fight each

other, but are unified in snubbing to acknowledge other religious practices

and modes of worship as valid. They make exclusivist claims to salvation and

openly propagate intolerance. But dhamma-based traditions are holistic in

worldview and spiritual in nature and practice. They profess holistic

principles and laws of life ensuring individual happiness," he said.

 

Advisor, Sanskrit Studies Centre, Silpakorn University, Bangkok asserted

that dharma makes a deep positive impact in our thought process. It is about

time that all South and East Asian countries having dhamma-based cultures

get united for preserving and promoting their noble ethos. Dr Tin Thein Lwin

on behalf of Shri U. Janita, spiritual guide of Mahasantisukha Buddha Sasana

Centre, Yangon, stated that in the world some faiths are only interested in

spreading violence. Bhagwan Buddha was distressed to see the practice of

extreme merciless violence in the world, and, therefore, gave it the path of

nonviolence and compassion as a remedy. We should follow dharma for the path

of peace and progress.

 

Dr K. Vimal Dhamma Thero, Professor, Kelania University, Colombo, pointed

out that the coordination and dialogue amongst the religious leaders would

give a positive direction to the world. Shri Suresh Soni, Sahsarkaryavah of

RSS stressed the need for coordination amongst dhamma-based cultures for the

holistic progress of humanity at large. Renowned educationist Dr Shantilal

Somaiya while presiding over the inaugural session said Bharat had always

respected different faiths and modes of worship. The concept and ideal of

dharma that originated and flourished in and spread via the holy land of

Bharatvarsh, can lead the world towards peace and integral growth.

 

In the academic session, Dr Nongluksana Thepsawasdi, India Studies Centre,

Thammasat University, Bangkok, Shri Bhikkhu Anand Thero of Kathmandu, Shri

Buthpitiye Samitha Thero, Director, Meditation Center, Colombo, Swami

Arvindanand, USA, Shri Kobalan of Jakarta, Dr Herman Andro of Jakarta, Shri

Brahmavairaagy Swamiji, Brahmavidyapeetham, Trinidad, Dr Murali Manohar

Joshi, former Union Minister, Dr Bajrang Gupt, Advocate Bandara of Sri Lanka

and various other scholars and saints of different countries gave their

invaluable inputs for coordinated endeavors to attain global peace and

progress.

 

The concluding session at Sampurnananda Sanskrit University, Varanasi, was

presided over by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ashok Kumar Kaliya. The invocations

were marked by melodious sacred chanting from the Vedic, Buddhist, Jain,

Confucian and Sikh traditions. Swami Dayananda Saraswathi of Arsha Vidya

Gurukulam, Coimbatore, informed that Sri Aurobindo was in favour of

coordination amongst all religions. "Mutual tolerance, acceptance and

nonviolence should be the top priority. When religion is practiced and

preached without force the religious freedom is established and it is

essential to maintain such freedom in all situations," he added.

 

RSS Sarsanghachalak Shri K.S. Sudarshan stated that conflict between the

divine and the demonic powers is at a critical stage. "This conference is

the confluence of the spiritual powers. Only such noble dhamma unity would

be able to defeat demonic powers," he said.

 

Kanchi Shankaracharya Swami Jayendra Saraswati said Buddhism is an integral

part of Indian traditions and culture. He stressed the need for better

coordination among all the Indian ways of worship. He said the Sangam would

strengthen the non-violent and spiritual cultures of the world.

 

Acharya Vihangam Yogsadhana inaugurated a dhamma Exhibition on November 24.

Shri Ram Prakash Dhir, a full timer from Myanmar, meticulously demonstrated

the spread of dhamma in various Asian countries. The art display of Rangoli

by Shri Dada Chaunde and his team from Pune was eloquent and carried much

meaning. On various occasions during the programmes and particularly during

the night of November 25 the cultural programme presented by the young

students of the host school, Swami Atulananda Vidyalaya, was spiritually

elevating and heart touching.

 

Over 110 delegates undertook a pilgrimage to Kashi Vishvanath temple and the

Dhamma Chakra Pravartan Center at Sarnath. Forty-four delegates from eight

countries undertook pilgrimage to Bodhgaya, Nalanda and Rajgir from November

28 to 30. The Sangam proved to be a launch pad for regular enhanced and

superior milestone synchronisation events in different countries of

dharma-based cultural commonwealth. *(FOC)*

 

http://www.organiser.org/dynamic/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=165&page=27

Jan.

7, 2007 Organiser.

 

 

 

Let my every word be a prayer to Thee,

Every movement of my hands a ritual gesture to Thee,

Every step I take a circumambulation of Thy image,

Every morsel I eat a rite of sacrifice to Thee,

Every time I lay down a prostration at Thy feet;

Every act of personal pleasure and all else that I do,

Let it all be a form of worshiping Thee."

 

>From Verse 27 of Shri Aadi Shankara's Saundaryalahari

 

 

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