|
Page1
A
common tenet of Hinduism is "Sarva Dharma Sambhava, which
literally means that all Dharmas (truths) are equal to or harmonious
with each other. In recent times this statement has been taken as
meaning "all religions are the same" - that all religions
are merely different paths to God or the same spiritual goal.
Based on this logic the religious path that one takes in life is
a matter of personal preference, like choosing whether to eat rice
or chapatis to fill one's stomach. One's choice in religion is
merely incidental and makes no real difference in the spiritual
direction of one's life. Any path is as good as any other. The
important thing is to follow a path. However since the religion of
one's birth is not only as good as any other, but is the closest to
access and easiest to understand, one should usually follow it
whatever it may happen to be.
From this point of view whether one is Hindu, Buddhist,
Christian, Muslim, or of another religious belief is not important.
Whether one goes to a temple, church or mosque, it is all the same.
Whether one prays to Jesus or Allah or meditates upon Buddha or
Atman the results cannot be ultimately different. All religions are
equally valid ways of knowing God or truth. The outer differences
between religions are merely incidental while their inner core is
one, the knowledge of the Divine or supreme reality. Therefore
members of all religious groups should live happily together,
recognizing that there is no real conflict in what they believe in
but only superficial variations of name and form.
Author : David Frawley
|
