When great religious minds meet to talk peace

It was a rare opportunity for nearly 1,500 Jain monks and hundreds of devotees to hear the magical words of wisdom from the man who is now regarded as the embodiment of peace in the world, the Tibetan leader in exile the Dalai Lama. Ancient Indian history is full of events in which scholars of different religions and sects used to discuss their means of getting salvation and peace.

Such discussions were extensive during the sixth century BC when the practices of two religions, Jainism and Buddhism, were at their peak. However, in contemporary history, it was perhaps for the first time that Jain leaders and a great Buddhist leader shared the same dais and talked what humankind needs the most — peace. What was more interesting was the fact that these religious gurus didn't  speak about their differences but everything they could do to unite each other.

The Dalai Lama sat at one corner of the dais while at the other side were four Jain sadhus, discussing things threadbare with the Tibetan spiritual guru. The prominent monks were Abhay Dev Suri Maharajji, Rajyash Suri Maharaji Ji, Yasho Vijay Ji Maharaj and Dhurandhar Suri Maharaji.  DNA brings to you what transpired between them at Palitana.

Jain monk
How can we help you to achieve your mission of bringing peace in the world? We are welcoming the change not for the sake of change, but for helping mankind. We are here with the basics of Buddha and Mahavira.

Dalai Lama
One method is, meeting with different scholars of different traditions and discussing what the differences, similarities and potentials are. It is my view that in all religions the objective is to convey the message love, compassion and discipline; in that respect, all religions are the same. Even philosophically, the purpose is the same. We are all created by God and we are actually brothers and sisters.

Jain monk
We are the tradition of sharmanas. Jainism and Budhism and some other religions do say that God is in you and each one has the potential of being a God. So, creation is actually realization. Some say creation is only realization and it is possible when you have full knowledge. These days people blame religion for all their problems, which is a dishonour to us.
 

Dalai Lama
Yes, I agree and therefore, since 1975 I started meeting with scholars of different traditions and discussing these matters with them. Apart from scholars, I have been meeting religious practitioners. In other words, it's like exchanging different people's philosophies to understand their practices better. So, as a result of meeting such people, you will get deeper values of other traditions and you start valuing them. I feel leaders of different traditions should meet on one platform. In 1975 I started group pilgrimages from Sarnath, around an hour's drive from Banaras. Then I started visiting churches, mosques, Hindu temples (I don't remember if I have been to a Jain temple) and gurudwaras. During a visit to a gurudwara I was quite hungry and they gave prasad which was very delicious. So, there also you see hope and help. Buddhists are non-believers but once in England a Christian group invited me to lecture on God. So I tried to prove there is a God.

Jain monk
We have tradition of pilgrimages and they are many in number. Now, there is a need to turn all these pilgrimages into Sadhna and Gyan (self control and wisdom) pilgrimages. For world peace this is the only way. Palitana is one of the pilgrimages which can be a place of Sadhna with a beautiful, harmonious, atmosphere.

Narendra Bhandari, scientist
In the last 200-300  years science has developed significantly. Now we need to re-interpret the science behind religious practices in greater detail. There are two religions I am close with -- Jainism and Buddhism -- and both can guide the rest of the world. Since science is a common ground, the young generation can develop interest in knowing things.

Jain monk
Friendship has the potential to bring peace in the world and that too with the help of the sadhu community across all religions. In Jain tradition we have 'maitri bhavana' or feeling of friendship. If we develop tolerance for other religions, the world will become peaceful.

Dalai Lama
For many years I have been discussing this with many groups such as moral scientists and pure scientists, among others. We have already introduced modern science in our monastery education five years back after translating various research papers into the Tibetan language. In Buddhism, science is something universal -- simply a way to find out reality. One of the problems that modern science needs to work out is the science of the human mind or psychology. In fact, this science is still at its preliminary stage. Science can show the reality but they can't do anything as far as ethics are concerned. Therefore, when there is no truth, confidence and fear, there is hypocrisy. In order to bring peace we need fearlessness and transparency.