Dr.J.M.Dave: the Best Way to Build Relationships is Nonviolence

• 07.22.2015, 14:18
•  Asia,  Interview

Armedia" IAA presents an exclusive interview with Dr.J.M.Dave, Director of BAPS Research Institute, New Delhi, India. The Interview was conducted during the "5th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions" in Astana in the framework of "Armenia-Kazakhstan: Cooperation Platforms" project, with the support of Embassy of Kazakhstan in Armenia.

-          Will the 5th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions contribute to reducing radicalism in the world?

-          Kazakhstan is a unique country. There is a majority of Muslim population here but the country is calm due to its President. And this Congress, which first started in 2003, becomes even more important. The key speaker of 2009 Congress was Shimon Peres, the President of Israel at that time. If you look at the 5th Congress’ list, there are 22 participants from Muslim organizations and 9 - from Christian. In spite of having so many Muslim participants, the President of Kazakhstan in his address to them said: "the only way to solve the problem is to have dialogue, to talk to each other, to meet each other, try to be as free as you can". The best way is the way of Gandhi – non-violence.

I feel that this Congress is very important because it creates an atmosphere to talk. A country with a Muslim majority invites Jews, Hindus, Christians, Buddhists on the same platform, and it is announced loudly – we should not accept fundamentalism, terrorism and we should give everyone an opportunity to speak. I believe, this 5th Congress will serve ro a great aim. Even if some of the leaders – religious and political – understand the importance of living together, allowing the diversity and allowing other people to follow their own religion in their own way within their Constitution and legality -  that will be a great achievement.

- India is famous for its tolerance. Is it because of the main religion of India – Hinduism?

-  Since very ancient times India allows people to follow whatever faith they want. Whether you want to believe in one god or million gods, whether you want to believe in god in a form or without form, god in human form or animal form, that is your choice. Even if you don’t have any faith, it’s OK. India never had crusades, no big fights between religions.

Recently there was a discussion: is Hinduism a religion or not? Some Western scholars say – it is not a religion, because, firstly, there is no historical founder of the religion, but we have Abraham in Judaism, Jesus Christ in Christianity, Mohammad in Islam. Second, every religion has standard sacred textbook which is acceptable to all denominations, for example, Bible is accepted by Catholics, Protestants, Orthodox, etc. All the Muslims – Sunni, Shia, Sufi, Ahmadiyya, Ismailis believe in Koran. And which book is accepted by Hindus? Some will say – the Vedas, others will say – Bhagavat Gita, others – Bhagavat Puranas. Hinduism is a bouquet of flowers. It is a tradition of a teacher and a student, you have all the freedom to accept what you feel is correct, I will not impose my idea. Diversity and liberalism, that exist in Hinduism, cannot be found in any other religion, because it really believes that every individual is an independent being. You can teach him but not by force, allow him to listen to your views, to understand your views but not force physically.

Religion is a particular way of life. First you have to try to understand your own nature. Some people by their birth, by their aptitude are analytic people. They would always ask: if so, why so? If not so, why so? They want to find logic in everything. Some kind of people are very much devoted to work, work is worship for them. And there is third group of people, who are very emotional.

But I would say, all paths lead to God…