E-Book - Mahatma Gandhi

28 Contextualising Gandhian Thoughta vow, an observance and an act of faith. He practised itassiduously in his life and thus obliterated the demarcating linebetween religions. Gandhi showed us how to live a creativereligious life which, in fact, was a translation of the spirit ofSarva Dharma Samabava or equality of religions intodemonstrable practice. The significance of this way of livingone’s faith in the multi-religious context of the contemporaryworld cannot be overemphasized.It would be profitable to quote Gandhi again: “The needof the moment is not one religion but mutual respect andtolerance of the devotees of different religions. We want toreach not the dead level but unity in diversity. Any attempt toroot out traditions, effects of heredity, climate and othersurroundings is not only bound to fail but is a sacrilege. Thesoul of religion is one but it is encased in a multitude of forms.The latter will persist to the end of time. Wise men will ignorethe outward crust and see the same soul living under a varietyof crusts”. 22What Gandhi proposed for religions is equally relevantfor civilisations as well. And that is why I argue that theconcept of Sarva Dharma Samabhava or equality of and equalrespect for religions will serve as a paradigm for civilisationalencounter also. If we want to overcome this artificially createddistrust and rupture we must learn to respect and accept culturaldiversity. Pluralism is to be accepted as a natural blessingwhich renders beauty and meaning to existence. Any attempt tohegemonise and create artificial uniformity is to be viewed asviolative of the law of nature and therefore should be resistedfor maintaining the equilibrium of modern multiculturalsocieties and for ensuring human survival.