Avalokanam

Religion, it seems to me, came into existence as a result of man’s search for an inner meaning and purpose of life. The beginning was, presumably, man’s inability to understand many natural processes and hence ascribing them to a higher power – to be feared and to be venerated. Over centuries (or millenniums), this fear of an unknown God transformed into diverse forms, from love for a personal God to forthright denial of any divine influence. Many of these lines of reasoning that gained considerable acceptance and following came to be identified as religions; proponents of these ideologies became their prophets. The primary purpose of religion, thus, is to throw light on the nature of Truth and show the way that leads there.

Since the path to enlightenment is fraught with dangers and distractions, many religions also laid down a code for their followers which, incidentally, had a civilizing effect on man as he emerged the most powerful species on earth. In spite of all his progress and unassailable might, he still remained accountable to a superior force, or to a set of principles. These principle reflect the common sense and wisdom acquired and refined over generations, and often serve as a handbook for right living. In setting common standards on what is acceptable and what is not, religion is like the conscience of a people. The comparison to conscience should drive home the point that religious code, unlike laws of the land, are not enforceable, and is only a guide to those who wish to abide by it for their own benefit. However, if a majority subscribe to certain religious views, the law of the land might naturally be influenced by the tenets of this religion. This has possibly been the most basic role of religion as affecting common man, though not its deepest purpose.

The third aspect of religion, which I think was the last to develop and is in fact an undoing of the other two, has come to be its dominant function in today’s world. This is the sense of identity it gives to its followers. Followers of a religion A consider themselves as distinct from followers of another religion B, and as having altogether different (verging on mutually exclusive) interests. This ‘avatar’ of religion stems from man’s sense of insecurity and fear of being outnumbered in an unfriendly world. It is only for those who fail to understand the first two aspects of religion, that the third one assumes importance. For, if I realize that the spiritual goal of all religions is the same, how can I view them as being antagonistic to each other? If I can absorb the social message of religion to live in harmony with others, then how can I hate those who think differently from myself?

We have different religions, because the path to God is not unique. To each one, his own path appears best, because that is most suitable for him. Having grown up in the Hindu culture, I have no difficulty in accepting the Father-God of Christianity, the monotheism of Islam, the Sun-God of the Incas, or other manifestations of the unmanifest God that are celebrated by different religions across the world. I see no irony that the infinite God is present in the most tiny particle of matter (even as he pervades the vast emptiness of this universe) and hence can be worshiped in the form of an idol. I don’t find a contradiction that the impersonal God can take the personal form of Jesus Christ or Sri Krishna. In a single text of Hinduism, you will find a number of different paths being advocated at different places and unless you are able to appreciate their underlying oneness, you will be thoroughly confused. The Path of Devotion (Bhakthi) may appear more different from the Path of Wisdom (Jnana) than Islam is from Christianity. The stupidity of people who have all looked into the same kaleidoscope and are fighting with each other regarding the ‘actual’ design it ‘holds’ is unfathomable! If they cannot understand that the same light, reflecting in different ways, gives rise to the multifarious images seen in a kaleidoscope, why don’t they at least stop fighting and just enjoy the beauty of the design that each is able to see?