Shillong, March 31: Swami Vivekananda, the Great National Leader of 19th century, preached the philosophy of Universal acceptance. It was only befitting that on the occasion of his 150thBirth anniversary Celebration, the Headquarters of Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math, West Bengal, through its Shillong centre organized a special programme on Interfaith Dialogue in Laitumkhrah, Shillong on Friday the 29th March.
The programme started with lighting the ceremonial lamp by the Representatives of different faiths followed by welcome and introductory address by Swami Achyuteshanandaji Maharaj, SecretaryRamakrishna Mission, Shillong. Swami Sumanasanandaji Maharaj, secretary, Ramakrishna Mission, Cherrapunjee and Swami Gautamanandaji Maharaj, Senior Trustee, Ramakrishna Math & Mission spoke respectively on History of Interfaith Dialogue and Keynote Address in the inaugural session.
The first speaker Fr. Joseph Cilia, representing Christianity welcomed all religions to come together for greater purpose of mankind. Describing Christianity as the religion of love he said, Jesus never distinguished people whether rich or poor, black or white. He loved all. Giving a short life sketch of Buddha, Uggen Tshewang from Bhutan of Buddhist faith highlighted the 4 Noble Truths and the Noble 8 fold path of the Buddha. Supporting his views he also quoted some extracts from the Chicago address of Swami Vivekananda.
Speaking on the occasion Banteilang Singh Rumnong, the representative of Seng Khasi also stressed on the oneness of different religions as preached by Ramakrishna and Vivekananda. He said, righteous life is the key of the Seng Khasi faith. The next speaker from the Sikh faith, Sardarni Milan Kaur said, according to her religion God is one and all of us are His Children. She said, Nanak, the founder of Sikhism preached all to earn honesty, to do charity and to remember God by repeating His Holy name.
She was followed by the representative of Jainism, S.K. Singh, Additional DIG, Meghalaya Police. Highlighting the non-violence theory of Lord Mahavira, the founder Jain said, usually there is a misconception that Jainism is a religion of the atheist. He said other than non-violence, Jainism also preached non-greed, forgiveness, self control and multifaceted reality. Prof. M.S.N Hahman of NEHU and Abdirahaman Ali Issack of Kenya, who represented the Islam faith, portrayed Islam as a religion of unity, harmony and equality. Hahman said, Koran, the sacred book of their religion preaches universal brotherhood and total surrender to Allah or God. Issack highlighted on love, truthfulness, selflessness and non-violence as preached in the religion.
Highlighting 10 essential rules of Hinduism Swami Jnanalokanandaji Maharaj, trustee, Ramakrishna Math & Mission says, Hinduism preaches Patience (dhriti), forgiveness (kshama), piety or self control (dama), honesty (asteya), sanctity (shauch), control of senses (indraiya-nigrah), reason (dhi), knowledge or learning (vidya), truthfulness (satya) and absence of anger (krodha). Quoting Swami Vivekananda he says, we believe not only in universal toleration, but we accept all religions as true. 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 honor of this convention may be the death-knell of all fanaticism, of all persecutions with the sword or with the pen, and of all uncharitable feelings between persons wending their way to the same goal.(SP News)
