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A Multi-Cultural Vision of the 21st Century
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respect based on the declaration that my faith religion is the truest, the best and the only one but on the basis that I belong to a tradition which believes in a positive understanding in the faith traditions of other communities.
Jainism preaches tolerance. Untill we establish this, it would be very difficult for us to overcome intolerane, to overcome indiscrimination and to create what Icall the culture of inter-faith harmony. Religions grow and have an impact because of their tenets, not because of there teachings, not merely because there are establishments but it goes beyond the establishment, beyond teachings, beyond scriptures. There is a culture and ethics of religion which is a part of a precious treasure house of the world. I think this is important to recognise multi-culture harmony through inter-faith dialogue. Culture is important. Culture is a large concept. Culture is, as my friend, Dr. Jain said the other day, with regard to Jainism the way of life. Religion is a very integral part of culture. But culture includes and religion influences and impacts the astheties of our day to day living. What we eat, how we dress, how we speak, how we behave, how we conduct our business, bow we deal with each other is all a part of culture. And that is influenced very deeply and profoundly by faith tradition by religion and that is where we find the unity of the civilizational impacts of Religion. All religions tell you of a basic ethical code and that is why we want to create today, through this parliament, a global ethics. It is possible for us to create a global ethics only because there are unities which contribute to the mainstream of global ethics. We must look for commonality of faith tradition. Fortunately, for human kind there is an enormous amount of commonality of faith tradition in cultural terms but there are also diversities, Diversities are asthetics for us. In ancient Indian philosophy we have a concept of 'Satyam Sivam Sundaram'. The truth, the good and the beautiful. There has to be a combination in culture of the true, the good and the beautiful. Religions influence, the understanding of what is true religion, they also influence our judgement of what is good, of what is beautiful. On the other hand, religions which equally influence faith traditions, are influenced by concepts of truth which are found in the heart, the mind, and souls of the individuals. They are influenced by concept of beauty, ideas of beauty. Good and bad are relative terms. That which is old is not necessarily good
and that which is new, is not necessarily bad. It must be understood on Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only
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