An idea is something you have; an ideology is something that has you. It is faith that moves a civilisation or a nation.
The Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari, celebrates September 11th each year as “Vishwa Bhandutva” day in memory of the speech he delivered in Chicago on this day in 1893. Around 125 years ago, Swami Ji delivered an iconic and eloquent speech at the Chicago Convention of Parliament of Religions. Introducing Hinduism to the world, Swami Ji spoke about intolerance, religion and the need to end all forms of fanaticism, in a way extolling the basic tenets of “Vishwa Bhandutva”
Hague Appeal for Peace Global Campaign for Peace Education had this to tell the world. “A culture of peace will be achieved when citizens of the world understand global problems, have the skills to resolve conflicts and struggle for justice non-violently, live by international standards of human rights and equity, appreciate cultural diversity, and respect the Earth and each other. Such learning can only be achieved with systematic education for peace.”
It sounds too patronising and sermonising today to talk of how, “We must forget our differences in language, religion, politics, race, colour, wealth, et al. We are all then brothers and sisters. We owe each other mutual respect and each one of us deserves recognition that we are all equal and deserve the same basic human rights”.
There is so much of conflict and violence in the world today, be it in the name of wealth, Politics, sex, gender, culture, religion or in the cyber world, in the form of information. It divides people and humanity. Consequently, we have multiple unequal worlds created out of our own volition. Peace is a natural casualty.
“Vishwa Bhandutva” is to accept the whole world as our own family. To help others, love others, save others, without thinking about the benefits we will get from others. We must do to others, what we expect others to do for us. Everyone must work for the betterment of the society. Everyone must follow one’s own Dharma.
Beyond the gospel, how does one do that? ““अयं निज परोवेति गणना लघुचेतसाम।
उदार चरितानां तु वसुधैव कुटुंबकम ॥”. This is mine. That is his. is the thinking of a small mind. The large hearted will always believe the whole world is one family. This is the spirit behind “Vishwa Bhandutva”
Be merely inserting four words in the preamble of the Indian constitution, there lies an opportunity to embrace all. The four words: Mutual Appreciation and Respect that promotes a sense of dignity and provides a genome map for the “Fraternity” that the preamble stands for.
Violence, deceit, prejudice etc are always caused by the need to protect an ideology. The need to protect is born of a threat perception that reinforces itself over time and then we have the possessed that take to raising their flags.
International peace can be achieved, if we understand the root causes for global violence and address them with equanimity and passion. People are becoming restless, impatient and intolerant due to ego, miscommunication, work pressures and lack of empathy. Hence, there is need to groom global citizens with a global mindset to look at similarities, and create mutual appreciation and respect the differences.
Global peace is achieved only when there is respect for all creations of the almighty. Can anything else espouse this as done by the Upanishads?
ॐ द्यौः शान्तिरन्तरिक्षं शान्तिः पृथिवी शान्तिरापः शान्तिरोषधयः शान्तिः ।
वनस्पतयः शान्तिर्विश्वेदेवाः शान्तिर्ब्रह्म शान्तिः सर्वं शान्तिः शान्तिरेव शान्तिः सा मा शान्तिरेधि ॥
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥
This translates to “May peace radiate there in the whole sky as well as in the vast ethereal space everywhere. May peace reign all over this earth, in water and in all herbs, trees and creepers. May peace flow over the whole universe. May peace be in the Supreme Being Brahman. And may there always exist in all peace and peace alone. Om, Peace, peace and peace to us and all beings”
Global peace is achieved only when inner peace is achieved which is a state of psychological or spiritual calm despite the potential presence of stressors. The biggest stress is caused by irrational desires.
Adi Shankaracharya and his Advaita philosophy, the idea that the true self, Atman, is the highest metaphysical reality of the universe can truly help us, in as much as overcoming the inadequacies of our lives and removing lives lived in a parallax of reality and desire.
In these times of Covid led afflictions, building mental strength is paramount. The American Psychological Association defines ‘Mental Resilience’ as: “The process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats and significant sources of stress.” What better way can there be, than Yoga, Pranayama, Concentration and Meditation and the endless wisdom of Shankaracharya the ‘Jnana Yogi-Raja Yogi’, to help release healthy brain chemicals like endorphins and dopamine that help balance the mood and combat depression? Thus, inner peace achieved, we must look at global peace and global brotherhood.
If desires can be reined, ego and empathy can be controlled and most of the global challenges can be resolved amicably. Hence, we must eschew our unreasonable desires that shall in turn trim our excessive ego and bring balance, harmony and empathy with and for all that exists in our environment.
Mahatma Gandhi, Jesus, Muhammad, Buddha, Ram, or Gurunanak must be there in every human being. Above all, there must be a God in all individuals in this world. All religions preach peace and love. Hence, we must acquire the attitude, understand the basic essence and develop universal fraternity and mutual appreciation and respect to achieve international peace and prosperity.
On a day when we celebrate “Vishwa Bhandutva”, can we forget what the legendary leader Martin Luther King, Jr. said “We have before us the glorious opportunity to inject a new dimension of love into the veins of our civilization.” Let us conclude this debate by quoting this beautiful verse that succinctly sums up “Vishwa Bhandutva”
ॐ सर्वेशां स्वस्तिर्भवतु। सर्वेशां शान्तिर्भवतु। सर्वेशां पुर्णंभवतु। सर्वेशां मङ्गलंभवतु।
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः॥
that translates to “May there be Well-Being in All, May there be Peace in All, May there be Fulfilment in All, May there be Auspiciousness in All, Om Peace, Peace, Peace”