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Jainism in a Global Perspective
To walk together, to talk together and to forge the essential solidarity of the spirit of mankind, therefore, is what is meant by a coalition of the world's religions. There is also the aspect in this coalition, of unity in diversity.The diversities of religions, the diversities to the extent even of values, the diversities of the paths we all follow for self realisation. But there is one fundamental unity in all the diversities defined by the essential fundamental goals of the quest of the spirit. It is defined by the diversity of inputs for a unity of a particular goal. It means that idealism and pragmatism must have a point of confluence. And when I plead for a coalition of the religions of the world in these causes, I plead for a combination of idealism and pragmatism. I plead for unity in diversities. I plead for a revival and re-selection of the fundamental spirituality of human kind everywhere. And if we consecrate these common goals, if we can consecrate the togetherness of human kind for particular goals and objectives in the world in which we live, we would have made this parliament a meaningful occasion, an occasion which will be the legacy that this parliament will give to the world when we embark on a new millennium. This legacy will give a new momentum, anew sense of direction, a new blue-print, a new programme of action, a new agenda for the togetherness of religions. Religions speak for themselves. Religions sometime speak to each other. We need to see that religions speak together and in that togethernessthere must be the voice that thrills our souls. The voice that thrills our souls is the voice of humanity. The voice that thrills our souls is the voice that relates us to every human being in sorrow and suffering to the pointers whose bounties make and sustain life. This is what we need today in this parliament. At the end of the day this huge gathering in the parliament of world religions, this spirit of togetherness, is what should define this parliament. How do we do this ? Not by mere proclamation of good intentions. We want to show the way to a new heaven of freedom for mankind, a new consciousness, a new livingness not only with good intention but with a commitment to a programme of action.
Let us venture for togetherness. This venture for togetherness is what I think, should be on the agenda of this parliament. What is to be done? This togetherness is defined by the vision that we all share. This togethemess is defined by the legacy of the past. This togetherness is
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