________________
160:
One World-Religion: a myth
Though in order to eradicate the conflicts and stop violence in the name of religion from the world some may give a slogan of one world-religion but it is neither feasible nor practicable. So long as the diversities in thoughts and habits in cultural background and intellectual levels of the human beings are in existence, the varieties in religious ideologies and practices are essential. Haribhadra rightly maintains that the diversity in the teachings of the sages is due to diversity in the levels of their disciples or the diversity in the standpoints adopted by the sages themselves or the diversities in place and time i.e. ethnic circumstances, in which they preached. Just as a physician prescribes different medicines according to the condition of patients, his illness and the climatic conditions, so is the case with the diversity in religious preaching's also.!" Therefore, unity as well as diversity is equally essential for the fellowship of faiths and we should not undermine anyone of them. Just as the beauty of a garden consists in the variety of flower, fruits and plants, in the same way the beauty of the garden of religions depends on the variety of thoughts, ideals and modes of worship.
The religions of the world differ from each other only on the basis of their modes of worship and the preacher, but so far as religious and moral values are concerned all the religions of world have a common platform. The essence of all the religions of world is the same and one. Equal regard to all Religions
Equal regard to different faiths and religions should be the base of religious harmony and fellowship of faiths. Siddhasena Divākara remarks" just as emerald and other jewels of rare quality and of excellent kind do not acquire the designation of necklace of jewels and find their position on the chest of human beings so is the case with different religions and faiths. Whatever excellent qualities
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
