Tag Archives: Islam

Imaginations, ‘The holy book’ & religion

07 Saturday Jan 2017

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Occasionally I read some or the other story from the book – Prayer of the frog by Father Antony de Mello. The book is available in two volumes Prayer of the Frog Volume 1 and Prayer of the Frog Volume 2. The books have small and very interesting stories. One of the story I read recently is somewhat brazen, I must warn you – you may feel offended. So, read keeping your sword, words and hatred for me or late Father de Mello aside. Feel free to comment on the story.

Stories are nothing but imaginations, some write book based on imaginations, other write blog :). There are few that are worth contemplating. One must always be inquisitive, that inquisitiveness gives opportunity to grow, learn and do something worthwhile.

The art of making fire

After many years of labor an inventor discovered the art of making fire. He took his tools to the snow-clad northern regions and initiated a tribe into the art—and the advantages—of making fire. The people became so absorbed in this novelty that it did not occur to them to thank the inventor who one day quietly slipped away. Being one of those rare human beings endowed with greatness, he had no desire to be remembered or revered; all he sought was the satisfaction of knowing that someone had benefited from his discovery.

The next tribe he went to was just as eager to learn as the first. But the local priests, jealous of the stranger’s hold on the people, had him assassinated. To allay any suspicion of the crime, they had a portrait of the Great Inventor enthroned upon the main altar of the temple; and a liturgy designed so that his name would be revered and his memory kept alive. The greatest care was taken that not a single rubric of the liturgy was altered or omitted. The tools for making (ire were enshrined within a casket and were said to bring healing to all who laid their hands on them with faith.

The High Priest himself undertook the task of compiling a Life of the Inventor. This became the Holy book in which his loving kindness was offered as an example for all to emulate, his glorious deeds were eulogized, his superhuman nature made an article of faith. The priests saw to it that the Book was handed down to future generations, while they authoritatively interpreted the meaning of his words and the significance of his holy life and death. And they ruthlessly punished with death or excommunication anyone who deviated from their doctrine. Caught up as they were in these religious tasks, the people completely forgot the art of making fire.

Postscript – if you are offended, perhaps you value the book more than the invention!

It has happened with many religion in the world that we started value of the book than what was the actual useful method. This approach has resulted in a lot of conflict and is resulting in the conflicts.

Imaginations was the topic for the week for LBC (Loose Bloggers Consortium). You can read other LBC authors opinions here – Maria, Rummuser and Shackman.

Image source – http://listovative.com/top-11-inventions-changed-world-forever/

Story source – The prayer of the Frog

Religion Vs Spirituality

31 Monday Oct 2016

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There is nothing as “versus”, there is no fight. It is always “and”, togetherness a company. It is our perception that creates this division. My first impression on the title “Religion Vs Spirituality” was this. This was the title for last week’s LBC (Loose Bloggers Consortium) topic. You can read other LBC authors opinions here – Rummuser and Shackman.

spirituality-vs-religionIt was a Diwali weekend so I came home and thus the delay. Wish my readers a very happy and prosperous Diwali and hope you inhaled less polluted air this Diwali.

The title for this week was interesting, I met my art of living teacher Dr Shrikant Agashe; and asked him how he would define religion and spirituality. His answer was very clear and straightforward. He said – “There is some Truth, what that is, one does not know. Spirituality is experimenting and finding the Truth without getting biased; religion is accepting a path which is suggested by others with faith (and with perhaps assumptions) and trying to fine the same Truth.” In a way there is less opportunity of trials and exploration in religion whereas spirituality is full of experiments.

I went on a very different line to define spirituality and religion. Excuse me for my words but this is how I defined it – Spirituality is like love and religion is like sex. There can be sex without love, but love has every flavor beyond sex too. Spirituality is like love, it can exist without religion. Spirituality is the essence of our existence wither religion exists or no.

I reviewed couple of websites on evolution of religion and came to understanding that the Abrahamic religion (Christianity, Jews and Islam) and Eastern religion (Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism et al) started / started evolving / documenting the teachings about 2500 BCE. What is a religion? It is “a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally followed by its followers”. In the end, what remains or leads religion to the end is spirituality.

According to some sources religion word is originated from Latin religare which means “to bind”, again a Latin words religio which means obligation or bond. This makes religions to be exploited such as present day terrorism is mostly based on interpretation (or misinterpretation) of Islam. There are religions that are no less than businesses. In many cases religion is distorted to such a level that it seems more of an organized crime. Thus, to sane people it becomes more important to either not get bound to the religious dogmas or experiment and find out own’s interpretation, way of life or truth.

My take – The religion binds makes things (rituals) as obligations whereas spirituality liberates. That is where we may say versus. Yet, religion is a set of path followed by many (and suggested by some masters) towards spirituality towards liberation.

Image source – SlideShare

Defining intolerance

29 Sunday Nov 2015

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IntoleranceWe have been listening to “intolerance” a lot these days in India. This has become a point of debate on a regular basis I think for last couple of weeks. The consistent point is – India has become intolerant, especially off late when the Narendra Modi led BJP Govt has come in power.

It’s obvious to have opinions, I too have my views on the same. Before, I scrutinize the subject further – I have been feeling that the intolerant India is more of a figment of few minds who are breaking their bread on this.

Before, going any further on my analysis I thought to get a definition of intolerance. No doubt I searched on Google (actually dictionary) for meaning of intolerance. Here is a Google screenshot of the definition – “Unwillingness to accept views, beliefs, or behaviour that differs from one’s own.” The definition on Dictionary.com is – “unwillingness or refusal to tolerate or respect persons of a different social group, especially members of a minority group.”

Based on the above two definition I started scrutinizing current state of affairs. The killing of Mr Kalburgi in Karnataka falls under the definition of intolerance. The Dadri incident happened in UP recently also falls in that category (both the definitions). I had criticized the same earlier – Tolerance. These could be stray incidents, and also how can we make Centre Govt liable and responsible for state level incidents? Especially when these have happened in states where Govts are of opposition parties?

In recent past I did not see any such incidents that were anything new. We are tolerant to many encroachments by Mandirs, Masjids and organizations affiliated to political parties. We are too insensitive to many things including terrorist attacks to killing of animals or people trying to save them. Surprisingly there was no hue and cry recently when a person (of one community) was killed by a group of people (from another community), who was trying to raise voice against cow slaughter in Karnataka (news link).

The next question is – if it is intolerance; do the minority groups feeling insecurity across India? Perhaps they are feeling as they have been for last so many years. Well, the other apt question could be – how do you define minority? According to census of India 2011 (Population distribution), there were few religions namely; Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist and 2 options no religion & others, effectively making eight divisions. So, if we divide 100% population by 8 divisions it comes out to be 12.5%. The definition of minority should accordingly be – religious group which has population <=12.5% is minority. According to this definition in 12 States & UTs Muslims are not minority (includes UP), in 8 Christians are not minority, Sikhs in 2 and Buddhists in 1. So, should we ask questions about how other groups (minority) are feeling in these states?

Also, before anyone concludes that I’m a BJP sympathizer I had been India Against Corruption enthusiast and therefore for many AAP supporter. However, I have kept my abilities to analyze open and have no political affiliation.

Here are two recent examples and therefore I think this could be termed as intolerance

China – China bans Ramadan fasting in mainly Muslim region

Switzerland – Switzerland overwhelmingly votes for burqa ban with £6,500 fine for Muslim women who rebel

So, I in this post, I tried to define intolerance, made my opinion on the same. Also, since the definition of intolerance had “minority group” in it, I tried defining that too. In the end I gave example of what could be termed as “intolerance”. Certainly that kind of thing has never happened in India since ages. Only remembrance of that historically is when Aurangzeb applied Jazya tax. Read details here – Jazya Wiki and Aurangzeb Jazya tax.

I posted on twitter

Penalty of apostasy in Islam is Death! That is intolerance. I do not see any intolerance in India.

Here is a link of discussion I am having with one of my childhood friends. We studied together, we were in Engineering together.

https://www.facebook.com/krdpravin/posts/10153691538450149?ref=notif&notif_t=comment_mention

My point is simple define intolerance first and than ask if India has changed in last so many years or last 2 years?

My take – India has not become intolerant as discussed by many!

Terrorism – Silent Majority doesn’t count – Solution please!

22 Sunday Nov 2015

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If you are unwell, you cannot think of anything better, do anything better. So it become very important to get well first. If we as a humanity needs to grow, we cannot talk about spirituality in isolation. We have to find a solution to the problem of terrorism. A hungry man should not be taught religion – he needs food, a sick person needs a doctor / medicine.

I think, In my previous blog the premise was completely incorrect. Fanatic followers of anything do not listen to the argument of others. I was trying to find a solution of Islamic world through the Buddhist teaching. However naive that attempt was, it was a genuine and earnest attempt. Somewhere fundamentalist and even other moderates need to learn from the Buddha.

I have been thinking about solutions with reference to terrorism. A small guy, sitting in one corner of world wonder how many and who would listen though – yet thinking about a solution! We cannot talk about business, economics, human development or spirituality if we are facing a threat to life on a daily basis. So a solution to terrorism is of paramount importance. For argument sake – lets assume whole world becomes Muslim. The next question will be – which Muslim? Shia or Sunni or Ahmedi? There are 70+ different division of followers of Islam. So don’t you think the next fight would be who is a “True Follower”? Well, the stream of questions would be endless.

Recently someone sent me a video on whatsapp, it was worth a thought. I can’t corroborate the statistics so I am not commenting on the same. Question is excellent and so is the answer worth introspection.

The point in this video is – Silent majority does not count. So whoever it is (currently the whole Muslim community) needs to think. The Buddha taught to “question and experiment with everything, once you are convinced accept it otherwise do not”. When I read about the Buddha’s life story I read – he told his followers to even refute and go away if they are not convinced.

Here Richard Dawkins says the same (the following video was a suggested video when I searched for above video). I am impressed with the point of view of Mr Dawkins (55 sec onwards).

I know people – specially Muslims friends – will question about what is happening in Myanmar. Muslims are being killed there so is it what the Buddha taught? Well the Buddha did not teach that and Buddhism has no history of violence, lets ask about other religions, does any other religion – except Jainism – has similar roots of non-violence? Certainly Islam spread through violence – Indian history is full of that.

If you’re a silent majority – in this particular case of Terrorism and Islam – you do not count! Raise your voice and teach your fellow followers what is wrong with them. The whole humanity is at risk who knows these random acts of terrorism will convert into full blown world war and every person will have to take side? Last word – Raise your voice.

Terrorist meets The Buddha

11 Saturday Apr 2015

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I heard a news that ISIS has sent a threat message to Sri Sri Ravishankar (Guruji). This blog is inspired from that message and story of The Buddha and angulimala. From This blog – …My Engineering college professor Dr Anand Swaroop Saxena told me some time in 2001 – “inherently people are not flawed, situation drive people to react in the way they react.”…

Just imagine if a terrorist crosses roads on which The Buddha is traveling! In this high-tech age, it isn’t same as Angulimala confronting The Buddha. Angulimala was having a purpose of making a garland of 1000 fingers (read the purpose here) and he had knife/sword. The current times are different, terrorist doesn’t need to be next to you, they can kill from a long distance. If the terrorist knows The Buddha, he (assuming most terrorists are male) wont come near, chances are that The Buddha will change his heart. But for argument sake imagine terrorist confronts The Buddha (Sri Sri).

What and how the discussion may start –Sri Sri ISIS threat
Terrorist (T) – I’m going to kill you.

The Buddha (B) – Why?

T – (confused, this fellow isn’t scared) – thinking… thinking… thinking… Because you’re a threat to us.

B – Threat? I don’t even have arms / weapon, instead you’ve. How can I be a threat? And what do you mean by “us”?

T – (again, confused never expected this logical question. Uses his logic whatever he has) I’m armed because of you. You’re a threat to my community.

B – How am I a threat to “Your community”? What is “YOUR community”. I never killed anyone why do you think I’m the reason of you keeping arms?

T – (totally confused) I don’t want to listen to your stupidities. You’re a threat to us.

B – Who is “us”? Did I bother you? Did I hurt you?

T – Your people and those who are against us hurt my people and therefore I’m here to kill you.

B – “Your people”… “My people” who are these? who is against YOU? How can you say that you represent the whole community? What is your community?

T – You’re against Islam and my people are all muslims in this world. “Your people” are all non-muslims of the world. They’ve not been
just to us.

B – Firstly, speak for yourself and don’t try to talk about millions of others who don’t know you and do not (may not) agree to your point of view. Secondly, I am not against any religion. My religion is compassion [author’s mind – provided this Terrorist understand what this god forsaken word “compassion” means], happiness, equality, human values, meditation, peace etc. Do you believe in any of these?

What unjust has anyone done to you? How can you speak about millions of others who are muslims, you have not met them and are happily living in their country of birth? How can you say justice wasn’t done to them? Furthermore, what harm am I causing you or likely to cause to you or in your words to your people? Am I killing them? Am I asking (advising) them to hate you? Am I asking (advising) them to do something that is against you?

At best I’ve helped some of the people in XYZ country to help each other and rescue those whom you want to kill. Is it incorrect? Do you have license to kill anyone and everyone you wish? Does your owning weapon means you’ve license to spread hatred, riots and terror? If that is the case there are nations that have abilities to finish the whole world numerous of times. Your one weapon is just nothing compared to that.

This time terrorist could not even comprehend and think of what all has been spoken and he has heard. Thanks to Ananda besides the Buddha, Ananda recited each sentence and gave him time to think of a reply.

T – (reply to firstly speak for yourself…) I represent my people.
T – (reply to secondly, I am not against any religion) You are against my religion. Why are you doing any rescue operations in XYZ country?  Meaning of my religion is peace, purity, submission and obedience to the GOD…

B – (to this The Buddha interrupted) have you taken (or they gave you) permission to speak on behalf of the people whom “you think”, you represent? Secondly, if your religion means “peace” what are you doing? Having arms in hand and killing people does it mean the meaning itself is wrong or you have interpreted your religion incorrectly?

T – (could not digest this) This is blasphemy you can’t question my religion who are you to question my faith and that is the problem
because of which I want to kill you? You are infidel.

B – Do you know what is the meaning of infidel? I am just questioning on your actions and interpretations of what you’ve in your mind. Infidel is the one who doesn’t have a religion. I listed out my religion is peace, compassion, happiness, equality, human values, meditation. Another meaning of infidel is one who is not in majority. Do you think you are in majority? Muslims all across the globe do not have gun in  their hands, according to that definition you are an infidel in – what you call it – “your community” itself. Moreover, when I said my religion includes peace, we’re on the same side, isn’t it? Your religion means peace to you. Why do you want to disregard your religion (peace) assuming you are protecting your religion by not obeying the meaning of your religion itself?

…

This may go on and on in author’s mind – the author is not the Buddha. Perhaps the Buddha (Sri Sri) would perfect the discussion with a compassionate glance, no single word. Who knows in the end – terrorist bows down with no argument left and becomes a true follower of peace.

Dedicated to Guruji (Sri Sri Ravishankar)

Related blogs – on Angulimala

Story of Angulimala

Symbol of Faith

15 Sunday Feb 2015

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Question markLet us have question mark as symbol of Faith! Hope this will help us question the blind faith. Interesting thing with blind faith is – none of the blind faith follower (believer) wants to accept that – “his/her’s is blind faith”.

Question mark as symbol and the book of faith should contain questions on everything – what, how, when, why, who and where. Everything written in the book should have question. Questioning every assumption, every belief and every point raised in the name of faith.

Let us have question mark as symbol of Faith!

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QuestionI was thinking about the religious books, the point to make symbol of faith as “?” is because many a times asking questions and raising opposing thoughts are not accepted in many religions. Earth is round was contested and people are killing just because their religious book states that. How long will we and should we accept these stupid things?

Question mark in different shape, size, color and gender. Let us not spare any kind of division!

I remember reading that the Buddha said – “…Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it…”

There are religious atrocities everywhere these days, if we question everything and then decide to take action will we not reduce many unnecessary atrocities?

Image source – various Google images search results Feb 15, 2015

Religion is poison

03 Sunday Aug 2014

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Long time back I watched a movie Seven years in Tibet (book link Author – Heinrich Harrer). It was based on true story. In that movie after meeting the Dalai Lama Chinese representative makes a comment – “Religion is a poison” (Watch the video below).

While watching the movie, I was shocked to hear this statement and was offended. Well, that time I did not start writing this blog, though I had reverence for the Buddha and the teachings of the Buddha. However, I knew this lessons even as a kid, when I had seen many religious violence, riots and subsequent curfews in my town (Dhar Madhya Pradesh). This lessons proves to be true historically and when we see what is happening in present day world. I intend to point at the Israel and Palestine conflict. I know when people will read this many will have their opinions. Here are two 5 min videos to give you different perspectives.

[in case video is not embedded Link]

The other one

[in case video is not embedded Link]

Decision is yours to take sides. But I’ve realized – religion is poison. Religion is poison the way it’s preached & practiced now a days. One of my friends, Dhaval Thakar, suggested me to read a Huffington Post article before making my mind and opinion on the conflict – 7 Things to Consider Before Choosing Sides in the Middle East Conflict. A very relevant question is there in the post – why are we not questioning deaths happening in the attacks of ISIS and the killings during dictatorships of many rulers including – Saddam Hussein, Gaddafi et al. In fact there are conflicts all across the world – until we finish the weapons we have already made how can new weapons be sold?

Until we finish the weapons we have already made how can new weapons be sold?

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The fanaticism we follow in the name of religion is really a poison. Now watch this movie directed by Vijay Raaz – “Kya dilli Kya Lahore” worth asking few questions.

PS – at least I never heard the Buddha teaching killing, his one biggest lesson was compassion, besides meditation.

Border-less world

13 Saturday Apr 2013

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Let us imagine, a border-less world. A world where

Source - http://praditaastarina.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/170580815_bbdabc8038.jpg?resize=208%2C139

Border-less world

1. people can move from one place to the other without Visas
2. goods and services can be bought and sold without import/export duties
3. education is free (at least basic education)
4. people would be free to do what they want to do (not taking law in their hand though)

I believe both the leading economic “-isms” and many spiritual/religious “-isms” have been trying to do that for years.

The economic “-ism” are capitalism and socialism. Socialists want this by making a world a single big society where everyone is working for the society. Capitalists are trying to do it through Washington Consensus and IMF. Until now the results have been failure. Russia failed, China becoming a capitalist USA (being protectionist) walking on the way to become more socialistic. Seems There could be a middle path where both these -isms are together.

Religious groups “-ism” are Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism etc. Christianity wants the world to be Christan, Islam talks about Universal brotherhood. I am not sure about the other two asking people to convert to their religion though. However, Hinduism talks about Vasidhev Kutumbakam. Vasidhev Kutumbakam means one world family. But the idea all over the world is unity and unifying the world in different ways.

All this is failing because – the ulterior motives are money or fan following (I mean increasing number of followers of the religion).  Since both they ways seem not working, what if we turn to something else, no politician, no economist and no religious group to lead. People leading the people’s movement!

Take the following case – Social media for social service, crowd sourcing based funding (crowd funding) and initiatives such as Janlokpal (India), Occupy Wall Street (USA), Jasmin revolution (Tunisia) and Tahrir square (Egypt) etc. If people are empowered yet are asked not to encroach on others freedom. What if we really become an educated world, without politics, without divisions, without borders.

This may happen if we remove ego and greed from our society!

Image Source – http://praditaastarina.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/170580815_bbdabc8038.jpg (Apologies for delayed update, it was updated in the image description but not visible on view)