Guest guest Posted December 30, 1999 Report Share Posted December 30, 1999 " BE A BEE IN RELIGIONS " UDUPI SHREE PUTHIGE SWAMIJI IN WORLD ASSEMBLY Amman in Jordan Dec 18 " Religions are like flowers. Each religion is having its own nectar. A bee shouldn't miss the nectar from different flowers. One should act like a bee, which collects and stores the essence from different flowers, and makes its own special honey. Like that, each one should study all religions and all philosophies, digest them properly, prepare his own philosophy according to his conscience and practice it throughout his lifetime. But the more important thing is, the bee should have its own freedom to wander wherever it wants. Like that, each one should have the freedom of thinking, practicing, and preaching whatever he believes. Like a bee which does not damage the flower, he should not harm any religion. At the same time, he should not be threatened or tempted to restrict his thinking or wandering. This is the essence of Hinduism and also Shreemad Bhagavad Geethaa, which is in dire need for the time. In Geethaa, Lord Shree Krishna preached extensively to Arjuna about the pros and cons of his options, and left the decision to his conscience. " Vimrushaithadasheshena Yatheechhasi Thathaa Kuru. " He said, " It is left up to you to make a decision. " We are very glad to notice that this philosophy is behind this conference. " His Holiness Shree Shree Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji of Jagadguru Shree Madhwaachaarya Moola Mahaa Samsthaanam Udupi Shree Puthige Math from India said on his concluding speech, in the world conference assembly on religion and peace. He addressed a conglomeration of more than 1500 dignitaries from all over the world representing various religions and countries including King Abdullah, Prince Hassan, Arch Bishop of Canterbury, Presidents of Indonesia, Costa Rica and so on. Here are the excerpts of his concludingday speech. " In Hinduism mother is the place of respect and the place of respect is named after the mother like, " Bhaaratha Maathaa " , " Gangaa Maathaa " , " Geethaa Maathaa " , " GoMaathaa " , " Samskritha Maathaa " and so on. Creating a pedestal of respect for motherhood, Upanishads in sacred Vedas say, one should first pay his respect to mother. " Maathru Devo Bhava " . One can see all couples names have been started by the name of their wives, like Seethaa Raama, Raadhaa Krishna, in Hinduism. The scriptures say Gods will dance where women are happy. " Yathra Naaryasthu Poojyanthe ramanthe thathra Devathaaha. " In the beginning of all speeches, all gents and women are addressed as Ladies and Gentlemen. But sometimes in practice, it is vice versa. Sometimes the beginning of exaggerated thinking about suppression is maybe the beginning of their suppression as well. Society should rectify this and uphold the dignity of women. At the same time, women should give up their inferiority complex, simultaneously preparing men to give up their superiority complex. Naturally, women deserve fifty percent reservation. They don't seek it as a gift. Men and women are like the Sun and Moon, without either of which the world would not exist. " The Swamiji reacted to the previous comments in the assembly from women folk about the suppression of women society. Analyzing the meaning of spirituality the Swamiji said, " The spirit behind all rituals is spirituality, whether it is the rituals of a priest worshipping God or the rituals of a modern surgeon cutting the flesh of a human body. Spirituality is part and parcel of all human beings in all walks of life. Truly, it is the " lifespirit " which should be developed by each and every person. " Swamiji justified the necessary presence of spirituality, denying the common fallacy that philosophy or spirituality is only meant for priests, monks, or those who are tired, retired, full of problems, and those who lost their business, elections or properties. " Although there are differences in their respective philosophies, spiritual leaders are not quarreling with each other. There are many records about the clashes between communal communities, but not a single story about fighting between their Gurus. There is not a single story about fighting between the Prophet Muhammad and Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ and Buddha, or Buddha and GuruNaanak and so on because the Spiritual Gurus understand the purpose and spirit behind spirituality, whereas sometimes their followers do not. " The Swamiji explained the subject " spirituality and communal harmony. " Narrating the similarity in languages and religions, the pontiff pointed out, " the words " Pithr-Father " , " Maathr-Mother " " Bhraathr-Brother " " Swasr-Sister " and " Soonu-Son. " Like this, the whole family from Samskrit may be migrated into English. The word " Maathr " from Samskrit, which is viewed as the mother language of all Indo-European languages, appears in Spanish as " Madre " . Similarly, the word " Upari " from Samskrit is in English as " up " . It seems " Allaa " , the name of mother in Samskrit that includes all Samskrit letters by first letter " AA " and by last letter " LA " , has come to Persian as " Allaah " and the same may be in English " All " . The word " Namasthe " from Samskrit may be in Persian as " Namaaj " , and " Mandir " is " Manjil " . It is said in Upanishads, that all narrate the same thing in different ways. " Ekam sad vipraaha bahudhaa vadanthi. " To find peace of mind we should give up a mind of pieces that finds differences between religions. Peacemakers should oust " piece-makers " first. " The Swamiji paused. " Actually, in this world one should mainly consider two types of people: either good people, or bad people, instead of Muslims, Christians, Jews or Hindus. The said two types of people are present in all religions. The religious leaders of today should engage in converting bad people of their religion into good people and thereby show them the path to salvation, instead of wasting their time in tempting or forcing people of another faith into their own faith. Otherwise, this would lead to a vicious cycle of disrespectfulness and chaos. " In Hindu scriptures, it is said God will take form, " avathaara " , in this earth, only to protect pious people and convert or destroy evil ones. " Parithraanaaya Saadhuunaam Vinaashaaya Cha Dushkruthaam. " The gaps between religious communities are widening because of evil people among all religions. They misuse religion for regionalism to meet their ends. " It is fact that since humanity has survived until today, it is mainly on account of spirituality and not merely by political, economic, or military power. Actually, the power behind all these powers is spirituality. According to spirituality, increasing the defense budget is a symbol of weakness, not pride. Unfortunately, it is becoming a must for all. " Kings should support religious leaders, and spiritual Gurus should guide kings. A ruler ruling without dharma will be ruined. Polity without dharma is like a watching stick in the hand of a blind person. Polity takes care of solving the problems immediately but creates more problems in the future. Dharma will take care of preventing problems. Without support from rulers, religious leaders can achieve only their personal enlightenment, but they need support from rulers and figures of authority to do this on a larger scale. Religious leaders are like lame people and rulers are like blind people. If the lame sit on the shoulder of the blind and show the path, both of them can reach a goal. The confluence of these two can conquer any complications. " If the concept of development is materialistic and lacking spirituality, it will jeopardize the whole system and lead to disaster like one trying to ride a brand new bicycle without knowing how. Spirituality will provide the balance for riders and also widen visions and elevate outlooks. " Sometimes Polity may provoke people, but spirituality will always create evolution and decrease tension. In Geethaa, Shree Krishna says that if a person can be detached from worldly desires, ego and hatred, only then, he can have peace of mind. " Vihaaya Kaamaan yaha Pumaan-scharathi Nishpruhaha Nirmamo Nirahankaaraha sa shaanthima-dhigachha-thi. " " Sa shaanthi maapnothi na kaamakaamee. " " In the end of Geetha, Shree Krishna has given a very precious message by which we can solve problems of personal, national, or international breadth. The Lord Shree Krishna says God is residing in everyone's heart irrespective of gender, color, caste or creed. " Eeshwaraha sarva bhoothaanaam hriddeshe Arjuna thisthathi. " " If this message were practiced properly, we could have prevented hundreds of unnecessary wars. If we bring this message into our life, then we will start to consider everyone as a temple, mosque or church. We will respect everyone and pour affection on everyone. Then, we will not find the division of mine and me. The burning problems of crime and corruption, which haunt every nation, will also vanish. If this message is firmly rooted in one's heart he will not find any place of loneliness because he sees God everywhere. He will hesitate to commit any crime that needs loneliness, isolation and no man area. The present burning problem of storing weapons can also vanish by this. If this message is adopted, then all people will feel that everyone is like their kiths and kin, cutting across their nationalities. They will not feel threatened by anyone. Then, where will be the need to store the weapons? " Now we are in a whirlpool of gun culture and a weapons race. The creation of one weapon has become the justification for another weapon's creation. Holding gun has become the justification for another to hold the gun. So it is going on and on, without knowing the end. It is neither in one's hand nor in anyone's hand. Perhaps those who marched first should be the first to take a stand against this, and they should be firmly supported by everyone to solve this problem. To save the human progeny and to preserve ecological balance, crossing their limited lines, without blaming anyone, with one heart, " All together action " is the only answer for this problem. Without solving this problem, it is hard for all to prosper. " When security is eating all our money and energy, where is the energy and money to eradicate poverty? How can we get peaceful sleep when we know many serpents are merely wandering within and outside of our houses? That's why philosophy says if someone is provoked, at first pacify him, bring him down, and gun down the gun, and remove his doubts and establish the faith rather than incite a bigger provocation. Provocation will always multiply the problem. This is the main message of Jesus Christ and also the main theme of Buddhism. " Seven hundred years ago Jagadguru Shree Madhwaachaarya, the founder-promoter of Dwaitha philosophy, was traveling in north India where riots were going on and kill-at-sight was in order. In spite of all local people's requests, Shree Achaarya entered that place free from fear. Suddenly, all the soldiers rushed to him. When they were about to attack, they were taken aback and surprised by his courage and indifferent response. Then, they took him to the court of King Ghyas-ud-din Balban, sultan of Delhi, where the bewildered king asked the Achaarya, " How dare you enter my place? From whence you got the courage to surpass the deadly barriers of the mighty King. " Instantly but firmly, the Achaarya replied in the Arabic language, " Whom should I fear when I see my God, who is generating the whole universe, in the hearts of the meek and weak, and also in this mighty King? " The king was enlightened by the reply of the Achaarya and joyfully offered half of the kingdom to the Jagadguru as a gift. This story shows how we can come out from the whirlpool of fear and hatred to bring prosperity. Giving answers in a peaceful manner should not be considered as one's weakness. Instead, it should be considered as a strength of one's high thinking and balancing nature and the symbol of leadership which fetches prosperity. This is the main message of Hinduism, to bring hearts together. " In Hinduism, there are four faced gods and five headed gods and also six and more. But one cannot find a God with double-heart. Oneness of heart is considered as Godliness. One should have a smart heart rather than a short heart. By that only, one can expand his service to a bigger area. " One should follow the path of the Earth. The Earth rotates on its own axis and, at the same time, it rounds the sun. With the sun, it rotates on another solar system and, with another solar system, it rotates around the Milky Way. All this time, the sphere of earth always rotates on its own axis. Similarly, rendering one's own duty in coordination with the universal system is considered as Dharma. Hinduism says the whole world is like one family: " Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. " His Holiness described the universal family. " The universal family has come together in a historic conference here to foresee the new threat in the coming millennium. In Hindu scriptures, it says whenever some dangerous period is about to come, all good people will assemble at the feet of mother earth and pray for a solution. Like that, here the " deadsea " in Jordan, which is considered the lowest point on earth, is the bottom of the earth and also the feet of mother earth. We have come from another edge of earth, the Himalayas, so that the whole world between these two edges gathered in the feet of mother earth and seek solace on the eve of the " dawn " of a new millennium. So, the name Jordan has become meaningful as " Jor-dawn. " The world has received the green signal from the land of Islam for a new millennium. From here, the world gets new air for the new era. " Shree Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji appreciated the subjects and the King of Jordan for hosting this historical conference. The Swamiji appreciated WCRP, the world-prestigious organization and its organizers, for bringing together all religious leaders in one platform, and described WCRP as a " world tree " and hoped everyone will nurture it and will receive the fruit of peace. He hoped everyone would pour their dedication to the root of this tree and let this tree of peace grow and bear fruits of universal brotherhood. His Holiness has received overwhelming reaction for his speech in English and has been elected as President of this International Organization which represents all continents by International leaders from the field of all religions and also from political and other walks of life. Talk to your friends online with Messenger. http://messenger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 30, 1999 Report Share Posted December 30, 1999 We have sent a mail containing a report of Swamiji's speech delivered during the closing ceremony of 7th World Assembly at Amman, Jordan last month. His Holiness appreciates help extended by Sri Balaji Hebbar, Sri Vasu Murthy, Sri Aravinda Acharya, Sri Dinakar Rai in compiling His thoughts in the speech form. Best Regards Keshavaraja/Prasanna Acharya --- Puthige swamiji <puthigeshree wrote: > > > " BE A BEE IN RELIGIONS " > > > UDUPI SHREE PUTHIGE SWAMIJI IN WORLD ASSEMBLY > > > > Amman in Jordan Dec 18 " Religions are like flowers. > Each religion is having its own nectar. A bee > shouldn't miss the nectar from different flowers. > One > should act like a bee, which collects and stores the > essence from different flowers, and makes its own > special honey. Like that, each one should study all > religions and all philosophies, digest them > properly, > prepare his own philosophy according to his > conscience > and practice it throughout his lifetime. But the > more > important thing is, the bee should have its own > freedom to wander wherever it wants. Like that, > each > one should have the freedom of thinking, practicing, > and preaching whatever he believes. > > Like a bee which does not damage the flower, he > should > not harm any religion. At the same time, he should > not be threatened or tempted to restrict his > thinking > or wandering. This is the essence of Hinduism and > also Shreemad Bhagavad Geethaa, which is in dire > need > for the time. In Geethaa, Lord Shree Krishna > preached > extensively to Arjuna about the pros and cons of his > options, and left the decision to his conscience. > " Vimrushaithadasheshena Yatheechhasi Thathaa Kuru. " > He said, " It is left up to you to make a decision. " > We are very glad to notice that this philosophy is > behind this conference. " His Holiness Shree Shree > Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji of Jagadguru Shree > Madhwaachaarya Moola Mahaa Samsthaanam Udupi Shree > Puthige Math from India said on his concluding > speech, > in the world conference assembly on religion and > peace. He addressed a conglomeration of more than > 1500 > dignitaries from all over the world representing > various religions and countries including King > Abdullah, Prince Hassan, Arch Bishop of Canterbury, > Presidents of Indonesia, Costa Rica and so on. Here > are the excerpts of his concludingday speech. > > " In Hinduism mother is the place of respect and the > place of respect is named after the mother like, > " Bhaaratha Maathaa " , " Gangaa Maathaa " , " Geethaa > Maathaa " , " GoMaathaa " , " Samskritha Maathaa " and so > on. > Creating a pedestal of respect for motherhood, > Upanishads in sacred Vedas say, one should first pay > his respect to mother. " Maathru Devo Bhava " . One can > see all couples names have been started by the name > of > their wives, like Seethaa Raama, Raadhaa Krishna, in > Hinduism. The scriptures say Gods will dance where > women are happy. " Yathra Naaryasthu Poojyanthe > ramanthe thathra Devathaaha. " In the beginning of > all > speeches, all gents and women are addressed as > Ladies > and Gentlemen. But sometimes in practice, it is > vice > versa. Sometimes the beginning of exaggerated > thinking about suppression is maybe the beginning of > their suppression as well. Society should rectify > this and uphold the dignity of women. At the same > time, women should give up their inferiority > complex, > simultaneously preparing men to give up their > superiority complex. Naturally, women deserve fifty > percent reservation. They don't seek it as a gift. > Men and women are like the Sun and Moon, without > either of which the world would not exist. " The > Swamiji reacted to the previous comments in the > assembly from women folk about the suppression of > women society. > > Analyzing the meaning of spirituality the Swamiji > said, " The spirit behind all rituals is > spirituality, > whether it is the rituals of a priest worshipping > God > or the rituals of a modern surgeon cutting the flesh > of a human body. Spirituality is part and parcel of > all human beings in all walks of life. Truly, it is > the " lifespirit " which should be developed by each > and > every person. " Swamiji justified the necessary > presence of spirituality, denying the common fallacy > that philosophy or spirituality is only meant for > priests, monks, or those who are tired, retired, > full > of problems, and those who lost their business, > elections or properties. > > " Although there are differences in their respective > philosophies, spiritual leaders are not quarreling > with each other. There are many records about the > clashes between communal communities, but not a > single > story about fighting between their Gurus. There is > not a single story about fighting between the > Prophet > Muhammad and Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ and Buddha, > or > Buddha and GuruNaanak and so on because the > Spiritual > Gurus understand the purpose and spirit behind > spirituality, whereas sometimes their followers do > not. " The Swamiji explained the subject > " spirituality > and communal harmony. " > > Narrating the similarity in languages and religions, > the pontiff pointed out, " the words " Pithr-Father " , > " Maathr-Mother " " Bhraathr-Brother " " Swasr-Sister " > and > " Soonu-Son. " Like this, the whole family from > Samskrit may be migrated into English. The word > " Maathr " from Samskrit, which is viewed as the > mother > language of all Indo-European languages, appears in > Spanish as " Madre " . Similarly, the word " Upari " > from > Samskrit is in English as " up " . It seems " Allaa " , > the > name of mother in Samskrit that includes all > Samskrit > letters by first letter " AA " and by last letter > " LA " , > has come to Persian as " Allaah " and the same may be > in > English " All " . The word " Namasthe " from Samskrit > may > be in Persian as " Namaaj " , and " Mandir " is " Manjil " . > > It is said in Upanishads, that all narrate the same > thing in different ways. " Ekam sad vipraaha > bahudhaa > vadanthi. " To find peace of mind we should give up > a > mind of pieces that finds differences between > religions. Peacemakers should oust " piece-makers " > first. " The Swamiji paused. > > " Actually, in this world one should mainly consider > two types of people: either good people, or bad > people, instead of Muslims, Christians, Jews or > Hindus. The said two types of people are present in > all religions. The religious leaders of today > should > engage in converting bad people of their religion > into > good people and thereby show them the path to > salvation, instead of wasting their time in tempting > or forcing people of another faith into their own > faith. Otherwise, this would lead to a vicious > cycle > of disrespectfulness and chaos. > > " In Hindu scriptures, it is said God will take form, > " avathaara " , in this earth, only to protect pious > people and convert or destroy evil ones. > " Parithraanaaya Saadhuunaam Vinaashaaya Cha > Dushkruthaam. " The gaps between religious > communities > are widening because of evil people among all > religions. They misuse religion for regionalism to > meet their ends. " It is fact that since humanity has > survived until today, it is mainly on account of > spirituality and not merely by political, economic, > or > military power. Actually, the power behind all > these > powers is spirituality. According to spirituality, > increasing the defense budget is a symbol of > weakness, > not pride. Unfortunately, it is becoming a must for > all. > > " Kings should support religious leaders, and > spiritual > Gurus should guide kings. A ruler ruling without > dharma will be ruined. Polity without dharma is > like > a watching stick in the hand of a blind person. > Polity > === message truncated === <HR> <html> > Talk to your friends online with Messenger. http://messenger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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