Strive for a peaceful world

[Guest guest]

AWARNESS FOR PEACEFULL LIFE

When there is darkness, light is needed. Today, with so much agony

caused by violent conflict, war and bloodshed, the world badly needs

peace and harmony. This is a great challenge for all religions. Let

us accept this challenge.

Peace in the world cannot be achieved unless there is peace within

individuals

Religion sets us not apart; it teaches peace and purity of heart

Every religion has an outer form or shell, and an inner essence or

core. The outer shell consists of rites, rituals, ceremonies,

beliefs, myths and doctrines. These vary from one religion to

another. But there is an inner core common to all religions: the

universal teachings of morality and charity, of a disciplined and

pure mind full of love, compassion, goodwill and tolerance. It is

this common denominator that religious leaders ought to emphasize,

and that religious adherents ought to practice. If proper importance

is given to the essence of all religions and greater tolerance is

shown for their superficial aspects, conflict can be minimized.

" Let us set aside our differences. Let us give attention to what we

can agree on, and let us put it into practice. Why quarrel? "

All persons must be free to profess and follow their faith. In doing

so, however, they must be careful not to neglect the practice of the

essence of their religion, not to disturb others by their own

religious practices, and not to condemn or belittle other faiths.

Every religion worthy of the name calls on its followers to live a

moral and ethical way of life, to attain mastery over the mind and to

cultivate purity of heart. One tradition tells us, " Love thy

neighbour " ; another says, Salaam walekum - " May peace be with you " ;

still another says, Bhavatu sabbamangalam or Sarve bhavantu sukhinah -

" May all beings be happy. " Whether it is the Bible, the Koran or the

Gita, the scriptures call for peace and amity. From Mahavir to Jesus,

all great founders of religions have been ideals of tolerance and

peace. Yet our world is often driven by religious and sectarian

strife, or even war - because we give importance only to the outer

shell of religion and neglect its essence. The result is a lack of

love and compassion in the mind.

One should not honour only one's own religion and condemn other

religions. Instead, one should honour other religions for various

reasons. By so doing one helps one's own religion to grow and also

renders service to the religions of others. In acting otherwise one

digs the grave of one's own religion and harms other religions as

well. Someone who honours his own religion and condemns other

religions may do so out of devotion to his religion, thinking, 'I

will glorify my religion'; but his actions injure his own religion

more gravely. Concord is good. Let all listen and be willing to

listen to the doctrines professed by others – ASHOKA the Great

 

Stiving for World peace.