Conference on World Religions 1994 07 NY Queens

Author(s): Council for The Conference on World Religions
Publisher: USA Parliament of the Worlds Religions

Page 55

RELIGION AND THE SPIRIT OF HARMONY
By His Holiness Gurudev Shree Chitrabhanuji
My dear friends, brothers and sisters, and all spiritual leaders,
We have met here from all four corners of the world, not to argue dogmatically over differences but to break the barriers of racialism and sectarianism, to learn something from one another, to see the same object from one another's point of view so that we can understand each other better and help one another in solving the problems of misunderstanding. The goal for each of us is the same, though the approach may be different.
There are so many religions in the world! Many people say, "With so many religions, how do we find the truth?" They think truth can be found only through religion, so they try to make one religion out of all religions. But if all religions were the same type, our world would seem monotonous and regimented. Instead, when there are varieties of plants and trees, bushes and flowers...then the world becomes a garden. Let every religion bring its own unique light, unique beauty, unique blessings of the fruits so all people may be nourished.
Each of us is unique. Each person needs to know that, "I am my own world, and I am a co-creator of the harmony of the world." When one sees one's individualization, that individualization gradually sees the individualization in another. And seeing this, we gradually come from here to there and there to here and become a bridge to each other rather than a wall. How can we build a bridge if we don't see the light within us? How can we give love if we don't experience love in us? How can we give peace if we don't have peace within us? Know yourself! Experience yourself! Be a friend to yourself! Come closer to yourself! You will then be a friend to the world, closer to the world, a blessing to the world.
Practice
With the practice of religion our sense of awareness increases and we develop ethical perspective and take normal responsibilities and gradually we create harmony in our thoughts and actions. In this way we evolve to heeding the inner voice of consciousness and to watching everyday behavior. It is not what we do for attention or ego in the presence of others that counts. It is what we do in the smallest of actions - whether we are in the privacy of our homes or on our own - that matters.
Furthermore, genuine ethical behavior has to be consistent. We talk of the dictate: "Thou shalt not kill," but how can we talk of the sanctity of life and at the same time violate life at other times, such as when we fight against brethren from other religions or we devour flesh on our dining table. True ethics shuns any hypocrisy.
So, the first practice for each to start with is in one's head, heart and hand, Gandhi was an Atma, a Soul. He practiced love, he practiced ahimsa, and he was known as Mahatma, which means Great Soul. We have the potentiality and through practice we become a higher Soul, Paratma. The spark has the capacity to become a big fire; it is a tiny thing but it can kindle the world. When we see the spark in us, that spark will see a spark in others. And the moment we see the spark in others, we don't want to hurt, we don't want to put down, we don't want to destroy. Our spark can kindle a world of brotherhood.
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