ALL RELIGIONS ARE TRUE

As Christians visited Churches on the occasion of Good Friday, a Hindu temple resonated with the prayers from the Bible here at the state capital of Meghalaya, Shillong.

“Love thy neighbor is one of the most important commandments of the Christians, Jesus Christ himself said,” Father Joseph Cilia, from the Roman Catholic Church, sermonized to a congregation at a Temple. He said, “some religious leaders, unfortunately, are separating people instead of uniting them.”

Fr. Cilia was not alone in this discourse; he was joined by leaders from the Sikh, Seng Khasi, Muslim, Jain, Hindu and Buddhist religious orders at an “inter-faith dialogue” at the Ramakrishna Mission (RKM) here. They event was held to mark the 150^th birth anniversary celebrations of Swami Vivekananda.

“When I got this invitation I said to myself I won’t miss it, so I have come,” Fr. Cilia said, who was fasting on occasion of Good Friday. Before he spoke, a verse from the Bible was read out as a prayer.

“Some of the earliest records of inter-faith dialogues can be traced to the time of Akbar when the emperor held such discourses between the different religious groups.

Such discourses or Parliament of religion are held globally now and promote brotherhood and understanding of different religions,” Swami Guatamanadaji Maharaj, RKM, Chennai said, giving a brief history on such important inter-faith dialogues.

Additional Director General of Police, SK Jain who spoke on Jainism said, Anekantavada or pluralism or multiplicity of viewpoints is the cornerstone of Jainism.

“Every point of view is important and must be respected and that would lead us towards peace and brotherhood,” he said.

Similarly, Ka Tip Briew Tip Blei (know man know God) is one of the fundamental doctrines of Seng Khasi religion of the indigenous Khasi community of Meghalaya, Seng Khasi general secretary,Bentielang Singh Rumnong emphasized. 

The representative Sardarni Milan Kaur from one of the youngest religion of the world, Sikhism gave a power point presentation. The Vice president of Meghalaya Sikh Youth socio welfare organisation emphasized the importance of Langars or community kitchen in Sikhism to promote unity, equality and brotherhood amongst people of all religion, race or community.

“In the Langars food is cooked and everyone partakes the offering irrespective of religion, caste, creed or community. Sikhism promotes such qualities amongst mankind,” she said.

Uggen Tshewang from Bhutan and a practitioner of the Buddhist faith said, Lord Buddha said if we want others to be kind and loving to us we must exhibit similar qualities to others.

Prof. MSN Hahman from North Eastern Hill University’s history department and Abdi Rahman Ali Issak from Kenya spoke on behalf of Islam religion.  “The sufis saints brought Hindus and Muslims closer with their doctrine of equality and brotherhood. Jalaladdin Rumi, Amir Khusro, Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti and others constantly preached about love and brotherhood between mankind,” Hahman said.

Swami Jnanalokanandaji Maharaj said that in Hinduism tolerance, love and forgiveness are very important aspects. “We must respect and tolerate  the other persons view for peace and unity,” the monk said. 

Earlier, prayers service were of all the religions and verses from Bhagwat Gita (Hinduism), Tripitika (Bhuddhism), Guru Grant Sahib (Sikhism) Koran (Islam), Seng Khasi and Kalpa Sutra (Jainism) were read out.