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No Enemies, Only Friends
This article first appeared in the "India House of Worship's Rajat Jayanti Souvenir" on October 13, 2001. It is a Hindu-Jain religious non-profit organization of Maryland-Washington.
There is a difference between being religious and being spiritual. Essentially, it is this: being religious often requires one to follow the followers; being spiritual on the other hand, frees one to follow the original message. As I observe the shocking events of the past few days resulting from terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C., I wonder how much of this carnage is because of not being able to distinguish between the two.
All religions are institutions and therefore, cannot avoid being partially political as well. As a result, an effort by each to establish superiority over others, gets in the way of the true spiritual messages. Often, this tendency is expressed blatantly or in subtle ways. The quest for supremacy is pursued from a range covering charitable acts, all the way through to acts of terrorism. It is no wonder that the world is replete with religious wars, with no real and lasting victory.
It is, therefore, important to remember the difference. For example, Jesus Christ is spiritual. Christianity is a religion. Prophet Mohammed Paygamber is spiritual. Islam is a religion. Moses is spiritual. Judaism is a religion. Sri Krishna is spiritual. Hinduism is a religion. Lord Buddha is spiritual. Buddhism is a religion. Can you imagine Christ, Mohammed, Moses, Krishna or Buddha ever doing anything wrong? By any standards? I cannot. I often wonder what would have happened if they were in a room together. Would they be quarreling about who is better? Or would they be celebrating all of the different ways of uniting with the Creator? On the other hand, can you imagine the followers of any religion not committing acts contrary to the messages around which these religions were originally formed?
In the wake of the terrorist attacks, these three spiritual messages are good to remember:
1. Ahimsa Paramah Dharmah: (quotation from "Nita Shastra")
Non-violence is the ultimate principle. This is because non-violence is always superior to violence. This is difficult to accept when we have witnessed incredible loss of life due to senseless violence. Why is it then that Vedanta (original scriptures of Hinduism) insists without exception, that the only spiritual response to violence is non-violence? It doesn't seem natural. It doesn't seem logical. It doesn't seem real. Perhaps the second principle provides the context.
2. Akohum, Bahusyam (quotation from "Brihataraantaka Upnishad")
I am one, manifested endlessly in a variety of ways. This second principle explains the first one. If all of us, whether from the U.S. or any number of countries around the globe following different faiths are truly born of the same parent, God, then hurting anybody is equivalent to hurting oneself. According to this principal, achieving true peace and harmony around the world, is not so much a battle between right and wrong or good and evil. Instead, it is a journey from ignorance to enlightenment. Ignorance cannot be removed through violence, it can only be transformed through understanding. It is not possible to fight darkness through retaliation, lighting a candle is enough.
The U.S. is often described as a melting pot, but remains "One nation indivisible, under God." This nation is like the rainbow of humanity, passing through a prism to unite into a single ray of sunshine. As a preeminent microcosm of cultures around the world, we are a living example of this principle. So, whom do we punish without feeling the pain of punishing?
We have rightly declared a war against terrorism and terrorists. What kind of war will this be? What kind of victory will we achieve? These are the issues currently being debated. Maybe the third principle provides guidance.
3. Satyamev Jayate:
Truth alone triumphs. Like energy, 'evil' cannot be destroyed, it can only be transformed into a positive force. The catalyst for this is 'satyam' or spiritual truth. As Lord Buddha proclaimed two and a half millennia ago, no permanent victory is possible without it being a victory for all. Every time there is defeat, there is a possibility of revenge. Therefore victory is not permanent. No war ends when one is victorious, only when no one is defeated. Such a triumph is the triumph of truth. Such a victory would exhibit "malice towards none and charity towards all."
In addition to religious terrorism, there is also terrorism of poverty, discrimination, inequality and hopelessness. A truly balanced strategy of achieving victory must have spiritual underpinnings in order to achieve permanent peace.
Dr. Satish B. Parekh is best known nationally and internationally for his work with more than 300 corporations in helping them develop and implement competitive strategies to gain superior profitability and growth. Dr. Parekh can be reached at doctorparekh@yahoo.com
Posted by editor on September 30, 2003 10:18 AM