Glimpses Of World Religions

SR No.: 032397
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Gunvant Barvalia
Publisher: Navbharat Sahitya Mandir
Publication Year: 2003
Total Pages: 228
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 26 MB

Page 198

Equal Respect for all Religions
173
the butter in the sense of morale which will be available to us, will make our understanding of religions perfect and will make ‘religious' in the real sense of the word. And what is more, sectarian narrowmindedness and the ideal of one world religion will see the light of the day'.
Nobody takes birth only after selecting particular religion, as if holding a Swayamvar (Assembly for choosing a husband) as it were; but after inheriting a particular religion of the family, one should not have a false egoistic pride that only my religion is the best and the religions of others are not so’. Only by teaching equal respect for all religions can one defeat or disqualify false pride referred to above. The root-cause of sectarian hatred and envious mentalities is lack of knowledge and pride. When a feeling of respect for other religions arises, the truth lying within will be known, revenge-opposition complexes will calm down and we will have the right vision.
Bhagwan Mahavir has stated in the epitome (Sutra) of Sootrakrutang Sutra' that, “Those who admire their own cherished beliefs only and either censure or condemn the true words of others, and envy others, (such people) they have to live and undergo the cycles of births and deaths.” One meaning of Mahavir's Anekantvad is to be construed also as ‘compromising or synthesising' or examining the other point-ofview, having a liberal outlook and accepting it. One will have broadmindedness as a result of giving equal respect for all religions' and it will be beneficial.
While doing ‘darshan' of the idol of Lord Shiva at Somnath Patan, Acharya Hemchandracharya had said, “Worshipping by me doesn't have any connection or concern with any 'name' as such; but it is concerned with the great virtue of the renunciation of infatuation or love. Name of the object of worship