World Religions Conference November 1957

Author(s): Sushil Muni
Publisher: Achal Singh Seth

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1 Mie San delegate from Japan
of destruction, descend on our two cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The entire teeming population of these two great cities, millions of men, women and children were wiped out in a single moment. They were not afforded time even to send up their heart-rending prayer to God. Each moment brings to us news of dreadful inventions aimed at the destruction of humanity. If we compare the two : Science and Religion, we will find that the progress of science and its contribution towards the evolution of human civilisation does not come anywhere near to that of religion. Today, with the elimination of distances and physical barriers, we find that there is no such thing as separation, no divisions between the various countries of the world. They are all Interdependent, bound in the common bonds of universal brotherhood, the brotherhood of Man. The Jain Tirthankaras and the Buddha taught us that if we have the welfare of humanity at heart, if we want to establish the relgn of peace in the world, we will have to follow the Path of Truth and Ahimsa (Non-violence).
I believe with all my heart that we cannot make any worthwhile progress in the social and cultural sphere but by following the Path of Truth and Non-violence. Stevenson invented the steam engine which led to a great revolution in Industry. It was, however, a violent revolution. Today we live in the times of another epoch-making discovery, the discovery of Atomic Energy. If Stevenson's engine could bring about a revolution in those days, the revolution that would follow in the wake of this new discovery would be much more intense and far reaching in consequences.
But this new revolution should be a non-violent revolution. Man has made tremendous advances in the scientific field but science has a great draw-back. It does not obey moral law of Ahmisa (nonviolence). Science is Man's creation but he has no control over it. The responsibility of men of religion is consequently much greater today than it was at any time in the history of mankind. They have to remove this fundamental defect of science. This defect must be removed and it is only religion that can remove it. In the olden times, the question was, which religion best served the needs of mankind? But today, the very basis of religion itself is in danger. The question today is--whether there is any need of religion at all ?
The very foundation of faith is shaky today. We do not deny religion, nor do we have living faith in religion. This is why humanity is not benefited by religion. This is why the world is standing on the brink of disaster. It is a matter of great jubilation and joy that this Conference is being convened in India, the land of Buddha, where Mahatma Gandhi led a successfull non-violent revolution to
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