|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 17 February 2002 |
 |
|
 |
Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
'All religions stress harmony and unity'
World Religion Day was initiated in 1950 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is in the United States and is observed increasingly by people around the globe. On the 3rd Sunday of January each year Baha'is around the globe celebrate the day by hosting discussions, conferences, and other events which foster understanding and communication between the followers of all religions. The purpose of World Religion Day is to call attention to the harmony which exists among the spiritual principles of the world's religions and to emphasize that religion has always been the source of unity. The World Religion Day observance of 2002 was held customarily on the 3rd Sunday of January - the 20th at the 'Mahaweli Kendraya' in Colombo. In addition a parallel observance was held at the Urban Council in Vavuniya. The program in Colombo was directly linked with the United Nations 'International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-violence for the children of the World (2001-2010). The observance at Colombo began with the traditional lighting of the oil lamp by the chief guest, Deshabandu Karu Jayasuriya - Honourable Minister of Power and Energy as well as Mr. Neil Chandrasekera - Member of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Sri Lanka, and the speakers of all five religions. Then the audience stood up in reverence to a Baha'is unity prayer chanted while remembering in their hearts the numerous lives of heroes lost in their quest for peace and other innocent souls lost in the battle fields and other acts of violence and crime. Next the Institute of Positive behaviour explored the concept of racial unity in the form of a dance. The first speaker of the day was Professor Wijebandara - head of division for Pali and Buddhist Studies of the University of Sri Jayawardhanapura. To begin, he commended the Baha'is Faith - the youngest religion - for inviting the elder religious together to talk together, feel and meditate on peace a timely theme for our country and the world at large. He said that this event reminds him of such events organized by the Buddha Himself as recorded in the Pali Tripitaka. Presenting historical evidences from the life of the Buddha, Professor Wijebandara pointed out how the Buddha worked towards a culture of peace and was titled 'Shakthi Raja' - Peace King. He further underlined in his presentation that since the concept of world peace is generated within the minds of individuals, in order to promote peace each person has to internalize peace in the mind. The next presentation was from Dr. Robert Sylvester currently in the Island in the capacity of an International Consultant to the Ministry of Education. He began with a quote from one of the Baha' Holy Scriptures, The Secret of Divine Civilization on the importance of the value of public service - an appropriate explanation of the title 'Deshabandu' with which the Hon. Minister was vested. Next he pointed out a few articles on education and human rights from the resolution of the 1945 UNESCO convention directly linking it with the theme of the day. He then explained how the Baha'i Community of Sri Lanka for the past 50 years has been promoting the three fundamental principles of culture of peace - the aspects of human unity, the singularity of God and the unity of religious experiences. He further stated that the Baha'i community in this Island Nation for the past 15 years had organized the observance of World Religion Day to promote 'Human Unity' - the essential value to build peace on earth and 'The Oneness of Humankind' - the pivot around which all Baha'i Teachings evolve. He then quoted from an article published in the 'Sunday Observer', "...essential of religious truth is timeless..." Dr. Sylvester, with over 20 years of work experience in the continent of Africa then presented scientific evidences through pale-anthropological and genetic findings of the oneness of the human race. He showed how genetic, archaeological and linguistic research all independently points to the reality of one common human ancestry proving the absurdity of any claim to superiority of race, religion or creed. Unrolling the evolution of humans Homo Sapiens Sapiens, he explained the collective evolution of humans beginning from family life, evolving into tribal solidarity, then consisting of city state, and moving into an institution of independent and sovereign nations. He then stressed on the inevitable final stage of this stupendous evolution through a quote from Baha'u'llah, "The earth is ut one country and mankind its citizens." He concluded with a quote from an open letter to the peoples of the world by the Trustees of the global Baha'i community - the Universal House of Justice - in 1985 to commemorate the International Year of Peace'....For the first time in human history it is possible for everyone to view the entire planet with all it's myriad and diversified people in one perspective. World peace is not only possible, but inevitable; it is the next stage of the evolution of this planet, in the words of one great thinker - the planetization of mankind." In his opening remarks the Honourable Minister mentioned that he felt it his duty to pay respect and it was with great affection that he participates in this occasion organized by the Baha'is, who have been actively involved in the promotion of peace and inter-religious harmony. He further mentioned that the theme was of paramount importance and urgency to the community of Sri Lanka. He shared a thought-provoking statement as to why should one look at another differently and stated that an important aspect in the promotion of peace, oneness of the universe and the human race is tolerance. Explaining how violence is being spread all over the country merely because someone belongs to another religion, or is of another race or holds another opinion. He urged each and everyone to practice religious, racial and ideological tolerance in their respective communities. Pointing out at the hunger of peace in the country , he invited the Baha'i community of Sri Lanka to come forward in helping build a peaceful Sri Lanka through their support, cooperation and prayers. He finally commended the presentations by the youth of the Institute of Positive behaviour, stating that at a time when hope is lost after 42 years of independence, children are the hope of the future. A short video presentation "The Wonder Gardens of Mount Carmel" on the edifices and the surrounding gardens of the Spiritual and Administrative Centre of the worldwide Baha'i Community on Mount Carmel in the city of Haifa, Israel, was screened. Starting with a chanting of a Hindu prayer, Mr. V. Kailashapillai - chairman of the Manitha Neyam Trust and president of the All Ceylon Hindu Congress said that one cannot look for peace outside, but rather find it within. If someone develops inner love, peace, harmony and understanding then peace is found inside one's self. He further stated that this is a definite possibility because humans are essentially divine beings. Problems and chaos arises when this is not practiced and man gradually integrates into an animal. He then stated that we cannot expect everybody to think and act as we do, and on the contrary we should accept them as they are. This is essential in creating harmony. Conflict arises when we expect others to think, act and live as we think what they ought to do. If there would be love and harmony there can be no room in the same place for conflict and contradiction. Mr. Kailashapillai then presenting an excerpt from a Hindu prayer said it meant that 'service to mankind is the best prayer' one can adopt. Elucidating on the point he said that if religion is viewed only as offering prayers and following a set of rituals as worship, this would be superstition, but in religion there is something more than that. He invited everyone to go beyond the mere religious boundaries and explore the teachings enshrined in those religions for solving contemporary problems. In conclusion he said that by working beyond the boundaries of one's religion, in propagating love, harmony, understanding amongst different people it is possible to promote a culture of peace. The next speaker Rev. Joy C. Perera - director of Devadharma Nikethanaya Archdiocesan Liturgy Apostolate of Colombo presented a Christian perspective of the theme. He sated that the people of Sri Lanka, battered by war and violence are yearning, longing and eagerly awaiting peace. It has taken a long time for them to realize that weapons can only kill and destroy and pursue a culture of violence. Quoting Prophet Isaiah from the Old Testament, he showed that such situation prevailed prior to the birth of Jesus Christ where there were tribal, regional and national warfare with the strength of armies. Leaders of that time had to be powerful warriors, constantly fighting to defend the cause of peace. At such time the Message of Jesus was a message of liberation - a liberation that transformed war-makers into peace-makers, swords into ploughs and cultures of violence into cultures of peace. At a time when the expectations of the tumultuous people was a 'warrior messiah' who would bring reconciliation in reality the Messiah happened to stand for truth and justice without reposing to means of force and violence. The people of God longing for temporal prosperity, territorial gain and stability could not imagine how this was possible without force, domination, suppression, annihilation and destruction. At such a mind-set Jesus Christ preached peace in an entirely different manner - a peace that did not cost other people their lives, did not damage the wealth or property of others, did not tarnish other peoples images nor violate any human right, but at the end cost. His own life. He preached a new way of liberation. Rev. Perera emphasizing on the fact that in Jesus Christ was fulfilled a culture of peace, said that he was not talking of simple programs of peace but on the contrary was discussing of a culture of peace , which is much more demanding than isolated programs of peace. Further elucidating on the fact he said that a culture of peace involves the whole of our being, all of your ways of behaviour, all strategies of planning to be helping with the exigencies of peace. Presenting the concept of cultural consciousness and cultural unconsciousness, he stated that this concept challenges all religion, religious leaders, warring fractures, all people in general for indifference and egoism. Finally he stated that the religious leaders political leaders and the general public of Sri Lanka has a task at hand to help all citizens grow out of ethnocentric attitudes that would promote the very culture of peace. The religious leaders in Sri Lanka have to work together and alone to make people aware of their own as well as other peoples cultures. Political leaders should take cue from religions and advocate strongly, not isolated programs of peace but rather a culture of peace. The responsible citizens of the country should respond positively and break through the insulations of indifference and egotism. The final presentation was by Dr. M. I. Sheriff - executive committee member of the Serendib Institute of Research and Development. He started with the explanation of the traditional Islamic greeting, which translated from Arabic, meant 'may peace be upon you.' He explained that it was a religious duty of every Muslim person to greet another whether known or unknown with this greeting. Each person who is greeted is bounding the same way to return the greeting with 'may peace be upon you too' and with an addition 'may God bless you with peace in your livelihood.' Further he stated that it was a duty of every Muslim to pray five times a day and that at the end of the prayer each person does the same greeting to the right and left and greets the person on each side. Even if there is no one on either side the greeting is offered for all living beings and creations of God surrounding us. In this way one is expected to be in peace with one's own self and with all forms of life. Mr. Sheriff stated that this very concept of greeting demonstrates a vision of peace. Explaining He that the first step of an Islamic approach towards peace is the unity of humanity, he said that according to the holy Qur'an humanity is created by one man and one woman and this makes all humanity one family. The second step of Islam towards peace according to Mr. Sheriff is the acceptance of and respect for all religions. Quoting from the Al Qur'an he said that A Muslim is not supposed to deny or defy other religions or their goals. On the contrary it is the duty of each Muslim to respect and sanctify all religions. Elucidating on this point he stated that according to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad, just as praying five times a day or fasting in the month of Ramadan or fulfilling the pilgrimage of Haj, it is the duty of the Muslim community to safeguard and protect the lives, positions, properties and honour of the non-Muslim brothers and sisters. Even their places of worship have to be protected and respected. Underlying this concept he presented a saying of Prophet Muhammad stating that one was not a Muslim if he or she went to bed with a bellyful while his neighbour - whether Muslim or non-Muslim - was in hunger. He further stated that Islam accepts and recognizes the divergence of customs and cultures in respect to dress, observance of religious traditions etc. This acceptance and respect of other's customs, traditions and beliefs is of paramount importance in building a culture of peace. Concluding his presentation Dr. Sheriff said that the Qur'an finds no distinction among various Prophets and recognizes the diversity of views, opinions and thoughts of others promoting a culture of unity. In general we look at where we differ, but on contrary if we rather look at points of agreement, this very concept would promote a culture of peace. Paving way to further collaborative work in the process towards a culture of peace the program came to a temporary ending with the National Anthem. (From the Special Assembly of the Baha'i Faith in Lanka). |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
