Author: Masterkung
Publication: Chinadaily.com.cn
Date: May 31, 2004
URL: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-05/31/content_335195.htm
Within the religious fanaticism
you will find a basic lack of understanding of other religions. A comprehensive
study of various religions would support the broader view that one supreme
and caring Intelligence has expressed itself to different people at different
time and in different ways.
Fanaticism comes to people who feel
insecure. This broader view gives a sense of belongingness while still
allowing people to be well-founded in their own tradition.
There are ten major religions in
the world, six from the far east and four from the Middle East. In the
Far East, Hinduism is the oldest. Then came Buddhism, Jainism, Taoism,
Shintoism and Sikhism. From the Middle East, Zoroastrianism is the oldest,
and then came Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
Three of the Middle Eastern religions
are rooted in the Old Testament: Islam, Christianity and Judaism. In the
Far East Shintoism and Taoism have completely separate sources. Buddhism,
Jainism and Sikhism have roots in Hinduism.
The six religions of the Far East
have peacefully coexisted and intermingled over the centuries. Buddhism
and Taoism have so completely accepted each other that you can find statues
of Buddha in Taoist temples. Hinduism accepts Jainist and Buddhist thought.
Contrarily, the religions of the
Middle East with a common root have warred with each other. The brothers
of the same house fight while friends live with each other in a coherent
manner.
When I was in Japan I met several
Shinto priests and Buddhist monks. They told me a story of travelling with
President Bush of America. He asked a Shinto priest what the population
of Shintoists in Japan was. The priest said, "Eighty percent." And he asked
a Buddhist monk what the percentage of Buddhists was and the monk said,
"Eighty percent." President Bush said, "How could that be possible?" And
they said, "It is possible! Buddhists go to Buddhist temples and Shinto
temples and Shintoists go to Buddhist temples and Shinto temples." In this
story, we have a healthy model of cultures maintaining their identity and
at the same time interacting with each other.
And we can find a model in India
also. Within one family you will find Jains and Hindus and Sikhs. Individuals
are free to choose whatever representation of Divinity they wish. They
are not expected to adhere to the choice of the father or mother. This
coexistence can happen when we put values first and symbols and practices
second.
