Welcome to Dal Sabzi for Aatman : Interfaith Dialogue

Have been speaking on 'Gems of Faiths' at various clubs and organizations...
Earlier I used to suggest that topic and the clubs would show reluctance as they said it is a 'sensitive subject' but if we have to survive and this planet has to live on we have to understand each religion in its pure form...One must not eulogize ones faith by bringing down another...

One must remove misconceptions like those of 'Idol worship', 'Jihaad', 'caste syste',or/and 'talaaq'...

The time has come for 'not to take an eye for an eye' as that will make the whole world blind! The time has to come, for the older ones to die with their prejudices if they must...but not to pass the prejudice to their children...Allow the children to learn to appreciate the best in each faith so that they may survive in this beautiful planet of ours...

Anyway, the beauty of yesterday's talk, is that I was asked to specially speak on Gems of faiths...and that was a breakthrough...We had a wonderful turnout and all agreed with what I had to say...

I have been reading 'Angels and Demons' by Dan Brown.
I agree with the author when he states that:

'Very little in any organized faith is truly original. Religions are not born from scratch. They grow from one another. Modern religion is a collage. An assimilated historical record of man's quest to understand the divine.'

Humanity is born from one set of parents. We are a family and we live in one home. It is in our interest try and put our differences aside and preserve this beautiful planet of ours.

Gems of Faiths

Last week, (year: 2004) I was invited to speak at a Rotary meeting (Rotary Club of Bombay Pier). We, at the Times of India Bldg, have been having various discussions, as to how best Peace can be propagated to the people in this riot torn planet. As we discussed the various Faiths…2 things happened. A lot of misconceptions cleared, and a lot of Gems were discovered. I decided, this is a good a time as any to give my speech. My young Muslim friend joined me. I was happy to discover that it was well received. I thought that I would share a few of the points with you:

Religion is a step inwards. Religion should mean more about 'belonging' to Humanity rather than belonging to this sect or another. I believe that one has to commit to become more peaceful oneself first. The next step is to create a practicing society of living in peace.

CASTE SYSTEMS STARTED OUT AS VARIOUS PROFESSIONS.
A teacher could become a soldier and a businessman could become a teacher or a menial worker, if circumstances willed it, or if he so desired. Please read about Shabri at this page.

IDOL WORSHIP IS A FORM TO FOCUS ON. Just like a flag stands for the nation and a father's photograph represents the father.
ONE HAS TO GO BEYOND THE FORM, WHEN ONE PRAYS…
ALSO GOD BEING OMNI-PRESENT RESIDES IN THE FORM TOO.

Believe in too many Gods? HINDUS DIVINISE EVERY ASPECT OF LIFE. YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR OBSTACLES TO BE REMOVED? PRAY TO LORD GANPATI. Looking for Wealth? Pray to Goddess Laxmi.

The essence of our culture is ‘Satyam Shivam Sundaram’. Satyam, the truth, which is Shivam or universally benevolent is presented in Sundaram or a beautiful manner. The attractive presentation ensures attention and appreciation from everyone. So whether it be Shankarji or Shri Krishna, both embody the highest truth, Satyam, are universally beneficial, Shivam, and are extremely attractive, Sundaram!

Our temples, and the ritual of Deity-worship are symbolic, and one should try to understand the hidden symbolism behind the Gods and Goddesses and then worship them in order to imbibe their attributes and make our lives divine and meaningful.

- Pujya Bhaishri

CHRISTIANITY stands for LOVE SERVICE AND BROTHERHOOD. CHRIST DIED for the TRUTH. HE BELIEVED THAT GOD DID NOT REQUIRE AN INTERMEDIARY BUT COULD BE APPROACHED THROUGH LOVE AND SERVICE.

JIHAAD
Hindu Scriptures, The Bible and the Quran speak of God, prophets, Liberation, Heaven and Hell. Early Quranic verses speak of the word 'Jihaad' as an internal struggle to get over the darkness within oneself and allow the light to flow.

The root of the word 'Jihad' is JAHAD from which the word I JTEHAD also springs. I JTEHAD also means 'struggle' to make a legal decision in the point of law. When the Muslim community was settling in Medina, they were attacked. Innocent people were killed, but the Muslim did not fight back. Later when this continued, they stood up in self-defense and the word 'Jihad' is then used in the Koran as this war was for survival against persecution and NOT expansionism.

The word 'Jihad' does not mean HOLY WAR against infidels. I have heard scholars state that Islam does not propagate bloodshed in any form. Then why do people commit violence? I think that it is because they do not understand the real pure meaning that was intended by God who communicated through the Great Prophet.

TALAQ
There is no such thing as a triple talaq mentioned in the Koran. This was a pre-islamic custom which crept back into Islam Jurisprudence after the Prophet passed ON.

For further clarification on what I have just stated, you may read 'The Empowerment of Women in Islam' by Dr. Zeenat Shaukat Ali She is a Rotarian of Bombay Mid-Town and an Islamic scholar. She lectures at St Xaviers College.

I have been told, by my friend, Ms Raahat Jaafrey, that it is stated in the Holy books of Islam, that on the Day of Qayaamat (Judgement) Jesus, who is called Isa-alaish-Salaam will come on the roof of the Kaaba, and there, He will meet the Future Prophet.

One of the Gems that Raahat shared with me, that belongs to the Quran, goes something like this: Half the road (one travels in Spirituality), is covered, by prayers, good deeds, fasting, but the entrance to Heaven is opened, when one performs charity.

I WOULD LIKE TO STATE THAT PRAYERS, GOOD DEEDS, CHARITY AND DISCIPLINE IN THE FORM OF FASTING IS COMMON TO ALL FAITHS.

CHRISTIANS OFFER MASS AND TAKE FLOWERS ON DEATH ANNIVERSARIES, HINDUS PERFORM SHRAADH

I BELIEVE THAT: FOLLOWERS INTERPRET THE SAME TRUTH IN DIFFERENT WAYS AND COME OUT WITH DIFFERENT CONCLUSIONS.

DIFFERENCES ARE DUE TO CULTURAL AND GEOGRAPHIC ENVIRONMENT FROM WHERE THEY SPROUTED.

The Upanishads claim that the Atman (God within us) cannot be reached through much learning or much use of the intellect. Jesus Christ proclaims: "Except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven." The Katha Upanishad proclaims "The path is narrow as the edge of a razor." Jesus said : "Narrow Is the way which leads unto life." Hindus believe that we are a small part (atman ) of the whole (Paramatma). In other words we are the same children of God and enjoy the same inherent qualities. Christians also believe that man is made in the likeness of God, and the Kingdom of God is within each one of us. Jesus Christ claimed; "I and my Father are one".

We Hindus believe In a Trinity: Brahma (Creator), Vishnu (Preserver), Mahesh (Destroyer).
Christians believe in Father, Son and Holy Spirit
The occultists believe in Light, Love and Power
and
Humanity at large believes in Mind, Body and Soul.

Hindus urge its followers to recite the attributes of the Lord (Vishnu Sahasranaama)

One marvels at the similarities, and yet what is the surprise about, when the Lord God is ONE?

Vishnu Sahasranama states: All songs are part of Him, who wears a form of sound.

The Quran (49.13) states: O mankind! We created you from a single pair of a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes, that you might know each other (not that you might despise each other)...

The Uttaradhyayana (Sutra 25.3) states: By deeds, not by birth, is one a Brahmin. By deeds one is a kshatriya, by deeds is one a Vaishya and by deeds is one a Sudra.

Hindus chant Mantras which are are empowered sound vibrations be they from the Vedas, Puranas, Shrimad Bhaagvad, Vishnu Sahasranaam, Hanuman Chalisa...

I was listening to a taped discourse of Shri Morari Bapu who states that we could live in a perfect world if we were to imbibe the following salient qualities from the various religious Giants:

Hinduism, Christianity, Islam and Zoroastrianism believe in the 2nd coming of prophets/Avataars who will re-establish justice and righteousness on earth.

Hindus believe that Kalki will be the 10th Avtaar who will appear towards the end of Kali Yuga.

Islam believes that Mahdi will be from the progeny of the Holy Prophet Mohammed.

Zoroastrians believe that Saoshyant will usher in a world which will end suffering.

Although the re-coming of the Saviour in different religions have diverse names, the conditions of the world at the time of their coming is akin.

The restoration of Truth Justice and 'end of suffering' is also strikingly similar.

In the Bhagavad Geeta, Krishna says to Arjuna: "This secret gospel of the Geeta should never be imparted to a man who lacks penance nor to him who is wanting in devotion, nor even to him who lends not a willing ear...

The Holy Quran says: Lakum Deenokum Walia Deen"_ Your religion and belief is for you and my religion and belief is for me.

One must accept all religions as one does our own. Peace is possible through communication. Most religions proclaim that the world is one family. When, as individuals, one develops a higher consciousness, the ego disappears and along with it, the concept of you and me, yours and mine...

Though in India (why only in India, in the world would be more appropriate) we live midst many cultures, one must acquire the capacity to assimilate differences and that can only happen if we become truly spiritual, note I did not say religious.

CONVERSION?

'Dwija' in Sanskrit means 'Twice born' It is a term used when a person is said to be born to His Spiritual Self!

I love what Osho says about conversion:
"When the ego dies godliness comes alive in you. Only when the seed dies it becomes a tree, only when the river disappears into the ocean it becomes one with the ocean. 'Conversion is a beautiful word that is misused. It is thought that if a Hindu becomes a Christian, this is conversion. This isn't true. He has simply changed one prison for another, as there has been no real change, no transformation.

Conversion happens only when the ego dies and godliness is born in you. Conversion is when the human becomes divine, not when a Hindu becomes a Christian or a Christian becomes a Hindu."

All religions belong to humanity. What's important is that once we make a decision to follow another religion we should keep in our minds that we must avoid criticizing our own previous tradition. We must show respect for it.

While I have been trying to bring to the notice of my readers the similarities between the message of the religions of the world, I must quote what Osho said:

"Read the Quran, the Vedas, the Bible, the Dhammapada, find similarities but the Quran is beautiful only because of those things which are not in the Gita (and vice-versa) Beauty is in uniqueness...Go into your innermost being, if you go beyond the object, you have gone beyond the west; if you go beyond the subject you have gone beyond the East...

I would like to state that the sentiment of this verse from the Quran is common to a lot of faiths that I am familiar with:

"Truly, my prayer, my sacrifice, my life and my death all belong to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds".

The Lord's Prayer

Having studied in a Christian school, one of the lesson's taught to us was the Lord's prayer. We were made to say it everyday, so it became ingrained in my memory. Today, while thinking on the same, I find it to be a general, all encompassing prayer, crossing the boundaries of all religions, and it can be used by all.

Our Father,
Who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done,
On Earth, as it is Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us of our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil,
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory,
For ever and ever,
Amen!

If one were to read the prayer more deeply, one would find the similarity and broadness of this prayer. (For the sake of convenience, I refer to God as a masculine figure. God can be a feminine figure, or even a neutral figure. That choice is yours)

Our Father	By this, we acknowledge that God is one, and he is above us all. We also understand that we spring from him, hence we address him as Father. This also brings us closer to him, as we now look to him as our parent, and we can have our inner dialogues with him for our answers. Even Guru Nanak, in the Japji prayer, refers to Ek Onkar, which means one God.
Who art in heaven	We understand he is in a realm which is currently beyond us, but for which we all strive to be in. Heaven is always referred to a place of joy , tranquility and bliss
Hallowed be thy name	By hallowed, we state that his name is sacred. His name is special. As Guru Nanak says in the Japji, Satnam, which means the true name. Here, we can even say that the name can be Om. What is important to understand is that God's name is sacred.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, On Earth, as it is Heaven.	We acknowledge that all is His, in expressing that it is His kingdom, and that all happens as per His wishes (will), both here and in Heaven. This is similar to our Hindu beliefs that all is God's doing.
Give us this day our daily bread	Here, we ask God for his blessings and grace.
And forgive us of our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us.	Here we ask God for forgiveness for all the wrong that we do. In this, we see that law of giving and receiving, for if we cannot learn how to forgive others, how can we get the forgiveness from God. As God forgives us, we must also forgive all those who have hurt us, in any way, irrespective of what we feel for them. In the Quran, the prophet says "Forgive your servant 70 times a day". Only by forgiveness, can we let the love of the Lord flow through us.
And lead us not into temptation,	This tells us that God is testing us, making us face challenges, so as to make us better people. We ask him to help us succeed in our challenges, and not "fall into temptation" (to fail in the test). But the paradox here is that God also is the creator of temptations, so what does one do? The ultimate answer is to surrender all actions to the Lord, and he will do best for us.
But deliver us from evil	We acknowledge God to be the Protector and Defender of all that is good. We know he can, with his grace, put us on the right path to him.
For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory	We acknowledge that God is the universe, the energy (prana) and the beauty. By doing so, we realise that all is God, everything stems from him, and all ends with him. In Hinduism, we learn that all starts from God, and one day, all will end with Him.
For ever and ever	God is eternal, with no beginning and no end. This is the basic Hindu concept of the timelessness of God.
Amen.	We end the prayer by saying a word symbolising God, be it Amen, Om, Allah, Krishna, etc. Here, it is the final acknowledgement that it is God, and only God.