“We are all broken, that is how the light gets in” - Ernest Hemmingway
Globally people are weary filled with fear and discontentment. They are intoxicated with the desire to gain fame, wealth and power. They crave for gratification of the senses. People are passing their days in fear, suspicion and insecurity. The freedom and right to worship in one’s selected faith is one of the fundamental rights of any democracy. The pursuit of spirituality is manifested in many forms across all religions globally, some project their faith moderately and some extremely. Mutual agreement on theological issues may be mildly challenging, but mutual understanding and respect for all religions is desirable and mandatory.
When we look at world history religion has sadly been a cause for wars and militarized crusades. Religion is opportunistically used as a tool to divide people by selfish politicians globally. People divided by religion, subsequently become divided on lines of ethnicity and language. All religions propagate peace, forgiveness, tolerance and brotherhood. Over the centuries the clarion call for inner peace, self-realization and spiritual liberation have been muffled by man’s selfish lifestyle.
It is time that we began to respect the spiritual beliefs of others, though we may not appreciate or understand their traditions and rituals associated with divine worship. Using religion as a cover to hide or even enhance one’s image is a form of hypocrisy. Abraham Lincoln duly reminds us: “Character is a tree, and reputation is a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it, but the tree is the real thing.” Sri Lanka is a nation embellished with bountiful natural resources. Our ethnic and religious diversity should further strengthen us as one resilient nation.
Let our desired faiths guide us to be better humans, who practice tolerance that we may sustain and cherish democracy across the world. On September 11, 1893, the spiritual leader and ardent believer in the ancient Vedic scrolls Swami Vivekananda made a speech at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago, USA. Today, at a time when polarization and fundamentalism has gripped most of the world, Swami Vivekananda’s approach to Hinduism offers solace and liberty. By preaching universal tolerance, Vivekananda propagated Hinduism as a safe space that warmly accepts all religions and all nations of the earth.
I have taken part of this speech, which we should all reflect upon. The wise sage said, “I am proud to belong to a religion which has taught the world both tolerance and universal acceptance. We believe in universal tolerance, we accept all religions as true. I will quote to you, brethren, a few lines from a hymn which I remember to have repeated from my boyhood, which is repeated by millions of human beings: ‘As the different streams having their sources in different paths which men take through different tendencies, various though they appear, all lead to Thee’.” In Hinduism, tolerance is honored as a great virtue.
It should also be remembered that several lessons can be drawn from the history of different Muslim civilizations. The Golden Age of Islam (750-1258) embodied by the Andalusia civilization of the 11th and 12th Centuries, produced many thinkers who influenced the world.
Peace in Islam is the rule. The word peace in Muslim culture is an attribute of God (Allah) named as-salam. From the beginning, Islam defined itself as the Gentle Religion, making tolerance a cardinal value. Tolerance and patience are traits of the soul of every Muslim, a part of his Iman (belief). Islam urges us to be tolerant and forgive others. This is indicated in both the Qur’an and the Sunnah.
Islam teaches tolerance on all levels: Individuals, groups and states. Tolerance is the mechanism that upholds human rights, pluralism (including cultural pluralism), and the rule of law.
The Buddha taught that concepts like race and caste or class distinctions are all fictional concepts created by deluded minds which are unable to see unity of all living things. Buddhists are taught that even though we come from different communities and even though we have different religious views we are all human beings. The Dhammapada teaches us “Misfortune always dogs the steps of one who gives way to the desire for revenge”. Real forgiveness is about letting go. The noble Buddha teaches us that by becoming aware we are able to forgive and get on with our life. This awareness allows us to let go of holding on to resentment and the hurt.
In the Bible, in his Sermon on the Mount Jesus reminded us, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.” The life and ministry of Jesus Christ was focused on equality, communal unity and peace. The Christian life must mirror the faith, humility and love manifested in the Holy Bible. The following is an apt reminder for all people “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body”- Proverbs 16:24. Strive for peace with everyone, is the Biblical instruction given in Hebrews chapter 12. Love, the key to becoming more tolerant, opens our heart to others, despite human imperfections. Biblical love won’t support actions and ideals that damage people. The word discernment comes from the Greek word “anakrino”, which means to examine or distinguish. The ability to discern is very closely related to wisdom. The book of Ephesians 4:29 states “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up, that it may benefit those who listen.”
All religious faiths must assist us to stop disturbing emotions like anger, hatred, greed and jealousy from arising based on confusion and negative vibes. We must never act compulsively on our negative feelings. In essence, nobody is perfect, and everyone is continuously progressing in the journey of spiritual growth. We should not be quick to judge others, but realize where they are coming from. Let all religions consolidate peace and brotherhood. The Sri Lankan school syllabus must include chapters of the main four religions practiced in this island, so that all students can learn about each other’s religions in future (rather than study about their own religion) and cultivate a better understanding of religious diversity.
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