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flowers, 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.
EQUAL REGARD TO ALL RELIGIONS
According to Jainas equal regard to different faiths and religions should be the base of religious harmony and fellowship of faiths. Jaina Acārya Siddhasena Divakara 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 and virtues they possess unless they are concatenated in the common thread of fellowship and have equal regard for others, they cannot find their due place in human hearts and can be changed for spreading hostility and hatred in mankind."
Therefore, one thing we must bear in our mind that if we consider other religions or faiths as inferior to ours or false, real harmony will not be possible. We have to give equal regard to all the faiths and religions. Every religion or mode of worship has its origination in a particular social and cultural background and has its utility and truth value accordingly. As the different parts of body have their own position and utility in their organic whole and work for its common good, so is the case with different religions. Their common goal is to resolve the tensions and conflicts and make life on earth peaceful. For this common goal each and every one has to proceed in his own way according to his own position. Every faith, if working for that particular common goal has equal right to exist and work, and should be given equal regard.
285 Jainism and its History
