World Religions Conference November 1957

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

Page 89

Address from Munl Shri Sushil Kumar ji
To-day the various representatives of the World Religions are going to throw light on the subject of World Peace' on the basis of Ahimsa. Our only wish and desire is that the world may enjoy eternal peace and that the light of Eternal Truth shine within us.
The world organisations like the U.N.O the U.N.E.S.C.O and the International Red Cross, with an objective of selfless service to the humanity, are still incomplete so long as the foundation of all organisations--political, social and economic, are based upon any thing other than on the principles of Dharma. The spirituality is bound to suffer as long as selfish persons come forward in the name of religion, to promote their own interests, Dharma has suffered a lot at the hands of propagandists in Dharma. To use the symbolism of religions to gain political ends is to degrade Dharma itself. To gain power and pelf and political greatness under the guise of religious or national pride is but to deride the higher principles of life. If religious-minded persons were to discard their feelings of love and purity and were to work for political ends only under the garb of religion, then religion itself would be in danger in the hands of the so-called socio-religious people.
I believe that materialism, agnosticism and violence are factors that are Instrumental in degrading mankind. It is only by discarding these evils that the greatness of man is achieved. Religion based on Ahimsa is the only way to glorify man.
Dharma (religion) and Non-Violence are not two different things. Religion is the Science of Soul. It is the history of the spiritual growth of man. High thinking is the fundamental of religious and spiritual awakening. The music of the soul is the real Dharma (Religion). The basis for harmonious social and domestic life of man also depends upon Dharma. Dharma is the foundation of love in one's family and social life. The spiritual awakening in mankind is born of Dharma. This in other words is called Ahimsa. So far as I understand, the equality in man is the very soul of Ahimsa. If the ultimate and supreme goal of Dharma is before us, then Ahimsa is one of the ways to achieve It.
Ahimsa alone leads to the spiritual awakening and helps in bringing about world peace and constitutes a saving factor for the universe and there is no other way to achieve these ends. We cannot wipe out evil from the face of the earth by bombs and swords. Love and change of beart are the only means to solve world problems. If we really wish to reconstruct and rebuild society on the foundation of selflessness, then we must include in each individual, love for Ahimsa. The golden deeds achieved by Ahimsa are too well known. The ideal of Kingship as demonstrated by Rama and Krishna, the no.r-violence of Buddha and