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(Based on a lecture given at an
Interfaith Symposium held on November 19, 2006)
Today’s topic is “Racial, Religious & Cultural
Tolerance.” Throughout time, scientific progress has
brought people of various races, religions, and cultures
closer to each other. In this time and age, we must
find ways to live peacefully with this diversity that
surrounds us. We have to rise beyond the dog-like
mentality which barks at every stranger and the
herd-mentality which makes us hate those who are
different from us. A Hindu saint, Swami Ramtirth, once
said that no matter how different people are in their
skin color, their faith, and their culture, they have
two things in common – the color of their tears and the
color of their blood.
On September 11, 1893, at the first World’s Parliament
of Religions held in Chicago, Hindu prophet Swami
Vivekananda hoped to see an end to the hatred that
existed in the name of religion. He said in very strong
words, “Sectarianism, bigotry, and its horrible
descendant, fanaticism have long possessed this
beautiful earth. They have filled the earth with
violence, drenched it often and often with human blood,
destroyed civilization and sent whole nations to
despair. Had it not been for these horrible demons,
human society would be far more advanced than it is
now. But their time is come; and I fervently hope that
the bell that tolled this morning in the honor of this
convention may be the death-knell of all fanaticism, of
all persecutions with sword or with the pen, and of all
uncharitable feelings between persons wending their way
to the same goal.”
On September 15, 1893, at the same
Parliament of Religions, he said that each group lives
in a small well and believes that its own well is the
whole world. Each believes that nothing important
exists beyond its well. He thanked America for trying to
break the walls which divided people. He said, “I
have to thank you America for the great attempt you are
making to break down the barriers of these little worlds
of ours, and hope that, in the future, the Lord will
help you to accomplish your purpose.”
On the one hand, it is shameful and sad that after one
hundred and twenty three years we still have to continue
hoping. However, attempts are being made to bring
awareness of other cultures and religions to the society
and to diminish racial biases. This interfaith
symposium is definitely one such attempt.
In order to cultivate and practice racial, religious and
cultural tolerance, I thought of the following seven
practical steps to share with you in the hope that they
may be helpful.
(1)
Admit: I must admit my ignorance about people of
other races, religions, and cultures. This is a very
good beginning. We primarily jump to wrong conclusions
about other people because of our ignorance.
(2)
Learn: I must learn about other cultures and
religions. I study other cultures and religions not to
find faults in them, but to try to find the best in
them. Then only can I appreciate people of other
cultures and religions and rid myself of hatred.
(3) Be
Humble: I must be humble while learning about other
cultures and religions. I cannot maintain the attitude
that my religion and my culture are the best in the
world. I cannot say, “My God is the only God and other
Gods are not God,” just as one cannot say that “Only my
watch shows the correct time; other watches don’t.” The
essence of Hindu Philosophy, known as Vedanta
Philosophy, says that there is only one God in the
universe. We are all worshipping the One Creator of the
universe who manifests through various names and forms.
(4)
Appreciate: The Isha Upanishad says: “Isha vasyam
idam sarvam, yat kincha jagatyam jagat.” The whole
universe is created by the Lord, including its tiniest
thing.” People with various skin colors, of various
faiths and cultures are all creations of the Lord whom
we love and worship. Let us understand all and
appreciate what is good in them.
(5) Seek
Unity: In this diversity of race, religion and
culture, let us seek unity. Behind all the differences
we are all human beings. We all have our joys and
sorrows. We all are seeking happiness, knowledge and
longer lives. I must make attempts to find the common
ground that exists between myself and others. Swami
Vivekananda said, “Anything which divides individuals is
sin, and anything which unites is divine.” Hatred
divides people, and therefore it is sin. Love unites
people, hence it is divine.
(6) Feel
for others: In the Bible, Jesus says, “Do unto
others as you would have them do unto you.” I must feel
that people of different races, religions and cultures
are human beings just the same. The goal of Vedanta
philosophy is to attain “Oneness.” According to Vedanta,
I have realized the Lord if I see the same Lord dwelling
in every individual. Do I feel that the other person is
a part of me? If my left hand is bleeding, my right
hand immediately does everything possible to bring
relief to the left hand because it feels that it is a
part of the same body. Similarly, if I feel oneness
with all, then I am ready to help when people are
suffering. I rejoice in the happiness of other people.
Sri
Ramakrishna (1836-1886), a great Hindu Saint and a
teacher of the 19th century has inspired
millions of people all over the world. He was the
teacher of Swami Vivekananda. During the later part of
his life, he developed throat cancer which prevented him
from being able to eat any food. Swami Vivekananda was
a young man in his early twenties and was nursing him.
He did not want his master to die. Sri Ramakrishna
worshipped God as Mother Kali. One day, Swami
Vivekananda requested his master to pray to Mother Kali
so that he would be able to eat a little. Sri
Ramakrishna said, “I have never prayed to Mother Kali
for my personal comforts, so I cannot do it.” Swami
Vivekananda pressed him and said, “Please ask Mother
Kali that you may be able to eat something for your
disciples’ sake.” After some time, upon Swami
Vivekananda’s inquiry, Sri Ramakrishna said, “I prayed
to the Mother as you had asked me to, but my Mother
smiled and said, ‘Aren’t you eating through millions of
mouths? Why do you worry about one mouth that has
stopped eating?’ With that answer, I felt ashamed of
myself.” Thus, Oneness has to be attained. If we feel
Oneness with all, then love for all comes naturally and
hatred goes away.
(7) Be
truly Spiritual and accept All: Hindus believe that
all religions lead to the same God. If we go deeper
into our religion regardless of which religion it is,
and truly follow the fundamental principles of that
religion, then we realize that we are all children of
God. God, as our Father and Mother will be greatly
pleased if we, as brothers and sisters, help each other
and live in peace and harmony. No parent will be happy
if brothers and sisters kill each other.
I must also
go one step further than simply tolerating people of
other races, religions, and cultures. The word
tolerance implies a sense of superiority; such as,
“I am better than you, but I will tolerate you
out of compassion.” In order to remove hatred
towards people of different races, religions and
cultures, I must do better than just tolerate. I
must willingly and joyfully accept all people of
various races, religions, and cultures as my equals.
These are my thoughts about today’s topic based upon
what I have learned from my religion and my culture.
Thank you for listening to me with patience. Namaste.
(The author likes to thank Nisha Shah for editing
this article.) |
