Human history has recorded that the religious intolerance has caused and is continuing to cause immense injury to harmonious living of different nations or states and merciless killing of human beings solely on account of religious intolerance and hatred.
In Indian context, the concept of Dharma is the greatest and the most valuable unifying factor. The very mention of the word rouses the conscience of the individual in this land and prevents him from hating any one on the basis of religion. People belonging to different religions who come to this country to live were treated with love and affection, considering them also as brethren with feeling of fraternity. This is because of the concept of Dharma, which is present in Atharva Veda Prithvi Sukta i.e., verses in praise of earth, which reads:
Mata Prithvi Putroham Prithivyah
“Earth is the mother. We are all her children.”
All the rulers of righteous conduct in every sphere of human activity evolved from times immemorial in this country, falls within the meaning of the word “Dharma”. Religion means mode of worship of God by all believers calling him by different names. Religion might divide but Dharma unites. It applies to all human beings. It sustains life. It does not create conflict. It is the same Dharma, which, in the course of History, came to be called ‘Hinduism’ after the world ‘Hindu’ and Hindustan were coined by the foreigners who came to India to designate people and the land. Thus Hinduism is a synonym of Dharma.
All the religions founded or originated in India swear by Dharma. There is thus ‘Dharmic Unity’ in India which constitutes an element of basic structure of social, political and economic system.
Firm belief in the existence of God is the foundation of all religions originated in the West or the East. As Swami Vivekananda said in his famous Chicago speech on 11th September, 1893:
Just as the rain water coming down to the earth from the sky reaces the same ocean, “obeisance to God by any name its destination is the same.”
It is indisputable that all religions of the World including Islam, Christianity, Parsees preach non-violence, universal brotherhood and compassion towards all living beings, which is the essence of Dharma. But it is the bitter truth that some of their followers have developed a feeling of intolerance towards all religions other then than theirs which has caused and is causing havoc resulting in untold sufferings and misery to humanity. Dharma stands above the level of tolerance and respects and accepts the right of every individual to follow his religion. It is the foundation on which every religion can prosper harmoniously. It destroys the feeling of separation and fosters peace and happiness amongst all.
In Indian context, the concept of Dharma is the greatest and the most valuable unifying factor. The very mention of the word rouses the conscience of the individual in this land and prevents him from hating any one on the basis of religion. People belonging to different religions who come to this country to live were treated with love and affection, considering them also as brethren with feeling of fraternity. This is because of the concept of Dharma, which is present in Atharva Veda Prithvi Sukta i.e., verses in praise of earth, which reads:
Mata Prithvi Putroham Prithivyah
“Earth is the mother. We are all her children.”
All the rulers of righteous conduct in every sphere of human activity evolved from times immemorial in this country, falls within the meaning of the word “Dharma”. Religion means mode of worship of God by all believers calling him by different names. Religion might divide but Dharma unites. It applies to all human beings. It sustains life. It does not create conflict. It is the same Dharma, which, in the course of History, came to be called ‘Hinduism’ after the world ‘Hindu’ and Hindustan were coined by the foreigners who came to India to designate people and the land. Thus Hinduism is a synonym of Dharma.
All the religions founded or originated in India swear by Dharma. There is thus ‘Dharmic Unity’ in India which constitutes an element of basic structure of social, political and economic system.
Firm belief in the existence of God is the foundation of all religions originated in the West or the East. As Swami Vivekananda said in his famous Chicago speech on 11th September, 1893:
Just as the rain water coming down to the earth from the sky reaces the same ocean, “obeisance to God by any name its destination is the same.”
It is indisputable that all religions of the World including Islam, Christianity, Parsees preach non-violence, universal brotherhood and compassion towards all living beings, which is the essence of Dharma. But it is the bitter truth that some of their followers have developed a feeling of intolerance towards all religions other then than theirs which has caused and is causing havoc resulting in untold sufferings and misery to humanity. Dharma stands above the level of tolerance and respects and accepts the right of every individual to follow his religion. It is the foundation on which every religion can prosper harmoniously. It destroys the feeling of separation and fosters peace and happiness amongst all.
Justice Dr. M. Rama Jois, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha)
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