*********************************************************************** Global Hindu Electronic Network (GHEN) Are you a subscriber of Hindu Digest? To subscribe to Hindu Digest send an e-mail to listserv@arizvm1.ccit.arizona.edu with the following contents subscribe hindu-d Full Name [Note: Full Name must be at least 2 words] *********************************************************************** Subject: HINDU VISIONS OF GLOBAL PEACE *********************************************************************** ******************************************************************************* GLOBAL VISION 2000 THEME II THE COSMOS IS ONE FAMILY ******************************************************************************* HINDU VISIONS OF GLOBAL PEACE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BY SRI TARLABALU JAGADGURU OF SRINGERE If you want to see the most cruel animal in a wildlife sanctuary, hold a mirror in front of your face. We find more cruelty in the human nature than in wild animals. An animal never makes any attempt on the life of another animal for fun or joy whereas a man takes a rifle and shoots innocent birds and deer and other wild animals deriving a wicked pleasure. The animosity among animals is a natural instinct which generally exists between two different species. Human beings, on the other hand, not only kill other human beings but also carry grudges for generations. The world is witnessing several ethnic wars and mini wars at present, the roots of which can be traced many centuries ago. Take for example the age old hatred between Hindus and Muslims in India or between Serbs and Muslims in Bosnia or numerous such hatreds all over the world. There is no country in the world where there has not been bloodshed in the name of religion or God even though compassion is supposed to be the basic principle of all religions. People of different faiths should feel free to follow principles and tenets of other religions too." Let Noble Thoughts come from all directions " says Rig Veda. Though nonviolence is considered to be the highest Dharma in Hinduism, the use of force is not altogether ruled out when righteousness is at stake. Famous verses from Gita proclaim "Whenever there is rise of evil in the world God will descend on this mother earth in one form or another in order to protect the good and punish the wicked." These verses can also be very well adapted to suit our modern thinking in the sense that using force may be inevitable in order to bring the disorderly world into orderliness. Hindu belief is that ultimately justice will prevail, righteousness will be victorious, and the wicked will not go unpunished. World history tells us that wars have been fought mainly for political or economic reasons or for seizing strategic locations for military advantage. When beasts fight, they do so only with weapons nature gave them for self defense. Men however have equipped themselves with deadly weapons and have the capability to annihilate entire nations thousands of miles away. During the second World War these weapons caused immense suffering to millions of people. Such unimaginable horror can be brought about even though only a few people carry feelings of hatred and distrust. Examples abound of patriotism whipped up as hatred disguised in acceptable terms and commended with stripes, medals and sweet hymns or political rewards. All sophisticated arms and atom bombs in the hands of modern men are bound to prove self destructive. Conflicts are outward expressions of inner conflict and tension prevailing in the mind. When the mind is enraged, it gets on our nerves, and we lose peace of mind. We ourselves are going to be badly hurt by the force of anger before it does harm to others. The basic approach of Hinduism is always directed towards the perfection of the individual self to bring peace and harmony in the society at large. Man is expected to raise his level of consciousness to the sublime state of bliss, from the microcosmic to the macrocosmic. To those who are enlightened and noble, the whole world is one family. Here is the Hindu vision of the whole world as one Global Family based on pure human love. The creation of nations is not a law of nature. Mountains, rivers, birds flying overhead know no boundaries and do not covet anything. Man however knowingly hurts others in the name of religion, nation or race. Seeing oneself in all and all in one's self is a unique experience of the Transcendent by a mystic. The transcendent is that which is real, blissful and beautiful. The concept of the Whole World as one Family can bring peace and harmony back to this world and ensure the survival of human race.