The Best Religion

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The Best Religion

 

There was once a king who ruled over his subjects well. All his

people were happy and his kingdom prospered. One day the King called

all the religious heads of his land. Some were well renowned and well

versed in Vedas and Puranas and some in the Bible, and yet others in

the Koran and other scriptures. When all were gathered together, the

King asked, " Oh holy ones! Today, at the request of my subjects, I

wish to declare one particular religion as the religion of my land. I

leave it to you O learned ones, to decide amongst yourself and to

arrive at a unanimous decision as to which religion deserves royal

patronage. However I feel only that religion should be chosen whose

teachings are not refused by anyone. "

 

Years rolled past, but no decision was taken. Each felt that his

religion was the best, but none of the others agreed.

 

One day a traveling saint arrived in the kingdom. Upon learning about

the king's unfulfilled desire, he immediately went up to the king and

said " O! Mighty one! I am willing to show you the religion whose

teachings nobody can refute. "

 

The king was delighted. At last after long years of waiting an answer

was at hand. " Please tell me soon my dear saint. I am impatient. I

have waited for many long years. " The saint replied " Be patient my

king. I shall reveal the name of this religion to you, only at a

quiet, secluded spot. Tomorrow at twelve noon, I shall be waiting for

you near the banks of the holy River Ganga. We shall go across to the

opposite shore and then I will reveal the best religion. "

 

As decided, the saint and the king met at 12 noon the next day. The

king ordered a boat to take them across the river. Immediately a boat

was brought. Before the king could step inside, the saint expressed

the desire to inspect the boat. " No this boat will not do as one

wooden plank at the bottom of the boat is loose, " he complained.

 

Another boat was brought. After close inspection, the saint observed

that a few nails were missing along the side of the boat. The king

ordered another boat to be brought. After close scrutiny, the saint

rejected the boat saying that the paint was chipped. This was

repeated many tunes over and over again. The king was slowly loosing

his patience and could not stand it any longer

" Respected sir! " he said, " For the past so many hours you have been

inspecting one boat after another. You have rejected each one of

them. After all, what does it matter whether the paint is chipped or

a few nails are missing or a plank is loose? As long as the boat is

capable of taking us across the river, I feel that these minor faults

should be overlooked. "

 

The saint turned towards the king and smiled. Softly he

explained " You have finally discovered that no boat is incapable of

taking us across. The religions prevalent in our land are like the

boats. Each one of them is capable of taking you to the Lord. To find

faults in each other's faith is mere foolishness. Go back to your

kingdom and continue to rule wisely, giving each religion as much

respect as your own. Live in unity. "

 

The king fell at the saint's feet. When he got up again, he felt

himself richer - richer in knowledge and in wisdom, and better able

to understand God¢s plan.

 

Ram Chugani

Kobe, Japan

rgcjp