Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Now that the passions on this burning8217; issue have somewhat abated, it is time to take a cool and detached view of conversions. The Mundaka Upanishad speaks of two types of knowledge 8212; the higher and the lower. The former deals with the highest spiritual enlightenment and realisation; whereas the latter denotes scriptural learning and academic pursuits of a penultimate nature and importance, studies which are conducive to 8220;temporal benefits8221; or worldly gain and advancement.
Likewise, it may be said that religious conversions actually a misnomer for frequently they are anything but religious are of two types 8212; the higher and the lower. Instances of the latter are not wanting; in fact, too many abound and one would do well not to dwell on them. Suffice it to say that they obtain mainly in the poorer and backward parts of our country and that these conversions are undergone more for socio-economic reasons than a desire for the highest spiritual enlightenment.
Leaving other religions aside for the present, ironically two of the holiest books of the two faiths that are at loggerheads at present over the issue, namely Hinduism and Christianity, are unanimous in proclaiming the glory of this 8220;spiritual rebirth8221;. The Bhagavad Gita talks of a great durachari sinner becoming a saint under its influence, and he who was 8220;a totally self-centred person8221; from which allevil and wickedness ensue eventually becomes 8220;a wise and Self-centred person8221; where Self stands for the Supreme Divine present in all beings. Such a transformed person then conducts himself as 8220;a well-wisher and promoter of the good of the entire humanity8221;.
On the other hand, the Bible too urges 8220;renewing of one8217;s mind8221; 8212; the need to become 8220;transformed8221; or 8220;to be born again8221; in spirit. Only thus can one gain entry into the Kingdom of Heaven, or attain 8220;the peace that passeth understanding8221;.
This type of salutary conversion, exhorted by the most sacred books of both faiths, is indeed one which is 8220;most devoutly to be desired8221;. It does not require that the subject be brought from one religious fold to another, but from irreligion, in its various forms, to religion as such 8212; the Universal Religion common to all humanity and which is based on Truth, Love and Fellow-feeling.
As Shri Ramakrishna Paramhamsa, the venerable gurudev of Swami Vivekananda, said: 8220;All religions are somany valid paths to the same Great Goal. Each is suited to the taste, temperament and capacity of its followers. But a path is not the Goal; so never quarrel over that.8221; And then again: 8220;All religions are right; the only thing wrong is to believe that one8217;s own religion alone is true and all others false.8221;
Evidently from this last erroneous assumption springs the desire to 8220;show light to others8221; and 8220;save their souls8221; by bringing them to the one and only true path.
