Author:
Publication: www.hinduamericanfoundation.org
Date: July 9, 2004
URL:
To: Editorial Office, India Abroad
From: Executive Council, Hindu
American Foundation, Inc.
Re: Interview with Ravi Zacharias
(IA, June 25, 2004)
Dear Editor:
We are disheartened to read the
comments made by Ravi Zacharias on Hinduism and Buddhism during his interview
with Shakti Bhatt [India Abroad, June 25, 2004, A29]. His misrepresentations
of the essence and principles of these spiritual traditions reflect his
own ignorance and bigotry rather than any deficiency within Hinduism and
Buddhism. While Mr. Zacharias sees the complexity and layers of meaning
within Hinduism as being "confused" and "inconsistent," he lacks the understanding
or respect to recognize the underlying harmony and wisdom of the diversity
of strands of thought within it.
Mr. Zacharias is right in noting
that Hinduism encompasses traditions ranging from atheism to pantheism
and just about everything in between them. However, this plurality of traditions
does not symbolize any internal contradictions or inconsistency. A true
Hindu knows that his own path, whether it is that of bhakti, karma, gyana,
or raja-yoga, is but one of many and has equal respect for all the winding
paths that lead to the same Truth called by different names. The true Hindu
recognizes that individual souls are like raindrops falling along their
own unique path to the same ocean. The true Hindu does not need to judge
the path taken by others as being good or bad, right or wrong, because
she knows that the destination is the same, that all paths lead to the
same goal.
Different expressions of the truth
do not reveal any underlying contradiction. There are layers and levels
of meaning, and the expression of them changes with time. Neither Hinduism
nor Buddhism, nor any system of philosophy based on dharma, are stagnant.
They are constantly evolving systems, perpetually adapting and customizing
themselves to meet the needs of societies and cultures as they change and
grow over time. While the underlying essence of Truth is changeless, the
way it is expressed and manifested constantly changes according to place,
time, and context. Human beings are ever evolving and with this evolution
comes deeper understanding of the profound truths of all religions.
This is why there is such a diversity
of traditions and practices within Hinduism today. Mr. Zacharias is gleeful
in pointing out purported skeletons in the closets of non-Christian religions.
While all cultures have their failings, he is unfair in focusing only on
the societal problems confronting Eastern religions. While the foibles
of the East may be more obvious and repugnant to him, it is because of
his own ideology and biases that he cannot analyze or evaluate these cultures
in a fair and balanced manner. Messianic zeal and a need to convert, to
show others as being less worthy, less deserving of respect and acceptance,
subvert his commentary into a superficial and bigoted condemnation of all
that is non-Christian.
The correlation of the rise of prostitution
in Thailand with Buddhism is a completely false and egregious allegation,
as correlation does not in any way indicate causation. Socioeconomic circumstances
and the exploitation carried out by foreign tourists are responsible for
the situation, not the spiritual ethos of Buddhism. It would be just as
inappropriate to hold Christianity responsible for slavery, colonialism,
the genocide of Native Americans, the Holocaust, and the pedophilia of
Catholic priests.
As for the sweeping generalization
that Hinduism does not recognize the individual dignity of each person,
that is yet another false stereotype. Hinduism sees all beings as manifestations
of divinity and acknowledges the unity underlying all living forms, so
that every single living being, not just humans, are to be respected and
honored.
Mr. Zacharias' comments are an affront
to all those who believe in tolerance, pluralism, and understanding. We
hope that Mr. Zacharias will reconsider his views and that India Abroad,
as a respectable publication for all Indians, will provide the space for
alternate views challenging such prejudice and misrepresentations to be
aired.
Sincerely,
Aditi Banerjee
Member, Executive Council
Pawan Deshpande
Member, Executive Council
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