COMMON VALUES IN DIFFERENT RELIGIONS

By Dr. Leo Rebello

www.healthwisdom.org

[Text of the speech delivered by Dr. Leo Rebello, World Peace Envoy, at the Salokha meet at the Nirmala Niketan College of Social Work, Mumbai, on 23rd March 2004 cover the values and teachings of 9 different religions of the world. They show the essential unity of human beings. This article can be used by teachers to enlighten the students, that all religions talk of the same thing and therefore we should not distinguish, disrespect or destroy people in the name of religion.]

In 1950, the Baha'I, proposed that 20th January be celebrated as the World Religion Day, promoting understanding and harmony between all religions. On this day, the world citizens believe that unity and equality cannot be established if we go on harping on the past hurts, but by concentrating on the future goals. World Religion Day emphasises common values in major religions, world as a single country, humanity as the citizenry and love as a common language.

While in school we learnt an experiment. All colours were painted on one side of the round disk. When the disk was rotated at high speed the colours merged into one – VIBGYOR turned into White. Today, while discussing the principles, practices and common values of different religions of India, let us not try to prove how our own religion is superior, like my son Robin did when he was small. He said our God must be superior, because he speaks English! That is communalism for you. But Robin’s communalism was innocent. When I explained to him that God speaks all languages and he is everywhere he did not ask another question till today. That is Humanism.

The Eternal values common to all religions are : Truth is one. God is one. Love is ultimate. Universe is one. There is plenty in this universe for everyone’s need, but not for everyone’s greed. Our blood is one (Muslim blood is not green and Hindu blood is not saffron, African blood is not black and European blood is not white). Our hopes, fears, aspirations, longings are one. And the ultimate truth is that Religion divides people instead of uniting and uplifting. Too much time has been wasted and too many lives have been lost in fighting over religion. The most important need of our generation is to rise above our respective religions and extend the arm of friendship and unity for all the people. That is what Salokha (amity) is all about. Let us build on this further in these two days so that more precious lives are not lost in communal carnage.

Through endless churning of the ocean came the nectar of the true, the good and the beautiful to make human life sublime. Through discussion comes undertaking, unity and peace.

Hinduism: Hindu Dharma called Vaidika Dharma (Vedantic origin) or Sanatana Dharma (that which is eternal). It is a way of life. By far the oldest religion, about 5000 years old. 860 million followers in India. Lays emphasis on: Truth, Godliness, Respect for Parents, Teachers and Guests, Kindness, Charity, Mercy, Abstinence from Evil Doing. Pinde Pinde Brahmande (in every atom there is universe), Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam (world is a family) are the cardinal teachings, which have stood the test of time.

Judaism: Concept of sin was given by Judaism. Sin means straying from the path of God. The famous 10 Commandments were propounded by Judaism. One God, Honour of parents and brethren. No killing, no stealing, no adultery, no false witnesses, no fighting with neighbours, etc

Islam: Submission, Surrender and Commitment. Lays emphasis on Prayer, Charity, Fasting during the Ramzan month. Christians fast during Lent. Belief in one God, Allah. Belief in one Message. Belief in a judgement day. Belief in God’s omniscience. Founder Muhammad and Qu’ran gives the code of conduct. Baha'u'llah, one of the prophets, goes beyond this by saying "The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens".

Taoism: Lao Tze the founder [604 BC, Chinese], which means old master. Talks of Life, Love, Light and Will. Produce, but do not possess. Act, do not expect. Enlarge, but do not control. Vital energy (teh) runs trough human body and it manifests in human consciousness through love and reciprocity.

Zoroastrianism: Ten centuries before Christ, Zoroaster (whose mother too was virgin) taught: Good thoughts. Good words. Good deeds. About 60,000 Parsis in India.

Christianity: Christ spoke of God’s love, mercy and man’s brotherhood. Christ condemned the rich and the greedy. He gave hope to poor and the meek. Ten Commandments from the Old Testament are adopted. Love my neighbour, love thy enemy, give another cheek are original teachings of Jesus Christ for an ideal world. About 30 million Christians live in India.

Sikhism: Founder Guru Nanak wished to combine the best in Hinduism and Islam. One God – Sat Nam. Righteousness. No idol worship or caste. Guru is needed to reach the God. Love, Goodwill and Understanding. Share what you earn with the less fortunate.

Jainism: Right belief. Right knowledge. Right conduct. Ahimsa (non violence). Non injury by thought, word or deed. Respect of Life.

Buddhism: Monastic religion. Founder Gautama Buddha. Eight fold path leads a person to Nirvana. Right View, Right Resolve, Right Speech, Right Conduct, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Recollection and Right Meditation. Eight million Buddhists in India.

Humanism: Humanism believes that orthodox religions are cancer of the human spirit, which is boundless. Humanism is the ultimate goal of an evolved civilization. Human being is central. No distinction or discrimination on the basis of caste, creed, gender, status, language, etc. One Human Race, Earth is One and everything therein is meant for Sharing… Goal: World Parliament, sans dividing walls and dogmas.

Ekam Sat, viprah bahuda vadanti – truth is one, spoken differently. To emphasise this further, let me recite to you my poem on Unity.

When we ran from the towering infernoof terrorism, we became one human race!
When the planes hit and the imposing buildingsfell, we ran in one direction – towards safety!

When we prayed together and lit candleswe longed for hope and became one faith!
When millions observed silence, and thousandsprotested against war, we spoke one language!

When we volunteered and collected blood,all religions mingled in our arteries and veins!
When guns were consigned to fire and hands were joined in unity, poverty ended, tears vanished!

When leaders united with the commoners and
sang together ‘World is One’, peace returned!

Like vipassana teacher, S.N. Goenka says, “I do not wish to convert people from one organized religion to another. I have no interest in any of these organized religions. My interest is in Dhamma – the truth, the teachings of all enlightened ones. If at all there is any conversion, it should be from misery to happiness, from defilement to purity, from bondage to liberation, from ignorance to enlightenment”.