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 65

AN APPEAL TO HUMAN RELIGIONS
Every human being in this world follows some kind of religion. Some seek salvation in Christ, some in Buddha, some in Krishna, some in Allah, some in Jehovah, etc. Everyone's goal is the same, i.e. to realize GOD!
But the main question is: where is GOD? Where is HIS/HER abode? Does HE/SHE reside above us or below us? Does HE/SHE live with us or away from us?
Swami Vivekananda has a beautiful answer to this universal and eternal question. He said that God is within us. God resides in everyone and everywhere. Poor the God, rich the God, wicked the God, noble the God. God alone has become all living beings, the universe.
Since God dwells in everyone's heart and body, our only goal in life is to realize this living God. How to realize HIM/HER in this life? The only way is to love all mankind.
Swamiji said, Love binds, love makes for that oneness, you become one. The mother with the child, families with the city, the whole world becomes one with the animals. For love is existence. God, Himself, and all this is the manisfestation of that one love. The difference is only in degree, but it is the manifestation of that one love throughout.
Therefore, with the words of Swami Vivekananda which he delivered in the final session of the Parliament of Religions on 27 Sept. 1893, we would also like to conclude:
Upon the banner of every religion let us write: "In spite of resistance", "Help and not fight", "Assimilation and not destruction", "Harmony and peace and not dissention".
Peace, peace, peace unto us all.
Braja Dulal Mookherjee President
Swapan Gangopadhyay
Vice President, Board of Trustees Council for the Conference on World Religions
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