Comparative study of religions

M. B. M. Mahir

RELIGIONS: From time immemorial multifarious religions have existed for the guidance and welfare of mankind. They are a part and parcel of humanity. Religious laws and admonitions have been a source of interest and inspiration.

In fact, religion is the only medium through which human beings establish a personal and spiritual link with the Super Power which is the primary object of worship.

A study of comparative religion is a vast and comprehensive one in which common similarities and equally contradictions can be found. But the similarities are more and effective in this study. Due to the passage of time and the influence of electronic developments the study of religions is very absorbing and interesting.

In the year 1962, while following a training course in the Islamic centre in Geneva, the writer had a rare opportunity of following a course in Theology in the University of Geneva, where the study of comparative religion was the main subject.

The study of at least ten religions or religious order was included in the syllabus. The major religions of Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity and Islam along with Judaism, Shintoism, Taoism, Confuciusism, Sikhism and Saivaism.

Apparently, Hinduism and Buddhism came from Arya-Dravida Belt and Christianity, Islam and Judaism from the semito-Hemitic Belt. Other religions are mostly from the Central Asian part and Chinese regions covering the entirety of humanity.

Our study of comparative religion is restricted only to the similarities of the existing religions and the common message conveyed by all religions. As Karl Marx said religion is an opium to man, as opium intoxicates, religious beliefs should not influence human beings to be fanatical and violent through religion.

Hinduism is as old as Greek Mythology. It preached good behaviour, almsgiving, valour and sacrifice in its fold. The doctrines of Maha Baratha, Bagawath Gita and similar grandas or vedic books, contain noble traits. The vedic mantras like Rig veda chanted have proved very powerful among Hindus.

We observe a similarity in preaching on the war against evil or terror. It is reported in the Bagawat Gita, that Lord Krishna when he advised Arjuna to fight against his evil siblings, said “Arjun do not be reluctant to kill them, for they are evil ones. If you kill them you will enter Heaven.”

This advice has a similar reference in the Holy Quran, the Islamic book of guidance. It says “fight against evil ones and overpower them, for they will enter hell and you will be in paradise.”

Buddhism is one of the great philosophies of the world which encourage Ahimsa (non-violence) Maithriya (Mercy) Dhamma and Sangha and similar qualities of great traits. The teaching in Dhamma Pada, Suthra Nikaya and similar collections have revealed.

Christianity is the religion of love and has many similarities with Islam. The Biblical admonition and teachings have laid immense influence of human life of Prophet Isa the Arabic version of Jesus Christ as in accordance with the old Testament, laid great stress on divinity and confirmed the arrival of the comforter who will appear after him.

This is also mentioned in the Quran. His teaching will confirm to the preaching of the preceded prophets. He said “Still your mind and you will see the Lord is akin to the Islamic version of “Zikr” or the thought of the Lord which emanates peace in one’s mind.

Martin Luther the Reformist in Christianity emphasised the importance of flexibility in Christianity. Islam being the last and the latest of religions has the singular advantage of recognising all religions that preceded it.

It is interesting to note that a true Muslim is one who believes in the messages revealed before Prophet Muhammed and also believe in all messengers before him and recognise their contribution to humanity as the Holy Quran says, There is not a single community in the world unto which a messenger has not been sent. Hence the aspect of Iman or belief in Islam approves the existence of different messages in different times.

Judaism is the religion of Jews as revealed to Moses, one of the recognised Prophets of Islam. It is sent to the children of Israel with commandments totalling ten in order humanity may follow them.

These commandments consisted of teachings pertaining to the customs that prevailed during Moses’s period. He preached these revelation very strictly in order to make them wiser, nicer and sincere. His message from God the Thawrath (Thorah) is one of the great Books in Islam and Judaism.

The great learned one from central China, Confucius gave great knowledge and took great pain to foster goodwill and good conduct. The teachings of Confucius has been on the lines of the Buddhist Master, as applicable to the people of his time. His followers are still in the Central Asian landmark where the population and growth of people have been remarkable.

The other two religions of Taoism and Shintoism are being practiced in the far eastern region and among the Yellow people of China, the Koreas, Vietnam and like minded people of this area.

Their common approach is to establish Amity and practise non-violence and peaceful approach to each and every matter confronting life.

Their teaching and their books are in different languages in the respective countries confirming the noble traits along with Buddhist influence. These religions are contributing much to the greater peace and harmony in this part of the world.

Sikhism is the religion of the Great teacher Guru Nanak, mainly prevalent and practised in North India. The wearing of a turban and sporting a beard is a sign of the Sikh.

Their religious Book “Zend Avesta” consist of the teachings of Baba Guru Nanak Sahib. The Golden Temple in Amritsar in India is the main Holy place in which Sikhism is practised and Sikhs as followers of Sikhism gather in this temple regularly. Sikhs are mostly found in India, Singapore and Malaysia and worldwide and strictly adhere to their principles.

Saivaism as a religion is practised mostly in South India, Sri Lanka and the far east. Being a division of Hinduism, the influence of Tamil Nadu and the Tamil language brought forth saiva Literature by Nayanmar.

To mention the four famous Nayanmars Appar, Sundarar, Gnanasambandar and Manickavasagar. In Sri Lanka too saivaism is practised with devotion. The great Scholar Arumuga Navalar was a notable devotee and Sekkilar’s “Periya Puranam” is an important devotional book of Saivaism along with other notable Puranams namely Saiva Puranam and Saiva Neethi.

The study of comparative religions is remarkable one in which the mind is minded to tranquillity.

It is interesting to note that Sir Edwin Arnold the great author and writer of classics has written two poetry books on two great religions, enabling the reader to understand them clearly and correctly.

The book entitled the Light of Asia a poem classic on Buddha and his teachings. Another book entitled “The Pearls of faith”, a glossary or Rosary of the ninety nine Beautiful Names of Allah the ‘Asmaul Husna’, These Two collections are an example of the Christian spirit of service towards Buddhism and Islam.

The proverbial saying that ‘All roads lead to Rome’ should apply to religions also as all roads should lead to the great power who Creates, Commands, Controls and Cares for His Creations who can possess any religion, race or creed, yet it imperative truly and sincerely to follow the path of his choice to usher peace, harmony and good relationship with all other faiths in order to obtain the Bliss of the Creator.

In conclusion in the field of comparative religions the following verses of the Holy Book of Islam is the transparent approach to the study of religions.

“I worship not that you worship

Nor will you worship that which I worship And I shall not worship that which you are worshipping

Nor will you worship that which I worship To you be your religion

And to me be my religion”

H.Q. 109, 1-6

Sathya Sai world youth conference

Ramani Kangaraarachchi

CONFERENCE: Two hundred Sai youth from across all parts of Sri Lanka along with Youth Affairs Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi will attend the third Sathya Sai World Youth Conference which will be held in Prashanthi Nilayam , India from July 26 to 28, 2007.

Vasuki Shanmugaratnam leader of the Sri Lankan group said 120 girls and 85 boys from Sri Lanka will get involved in various activities relevant to the theme “Ideal Sai Youth-Messengers of Sai Love” During the Conference emphasis will be placed on how to realise one’s Divine nature through spiritual transformation and love, she said.

“The prosperity and well-being of the world depend on the conduct of the youth. Only when their conduct is good ,the world can have an ideal future. Only young men and women are capable of eradicating the evils prevailing in society. If we have virtuous youth all ills of society can be removed” was the declaration of Sri Sathya Sai Baba at the second Sai World Youth Conference.

Based on that the objective of the three day conference is to inspire and guide Sai youth to serve society and gain a deeper understanding of his teachings.

Suchariya Amugoda will be one of the flag bearers carrying Sri Lanka flag and she is also playing a role in a drama. Shanmugapriya Thayagaraja is incharge of the exhibition and playing a role in the drama on respecting parents written by Thuwaraka Sathyamoorthi. Dinali Gurusinghe, a talented Bajan singer said Bhagavan Sri Sathya Baba has made them realize themselves and to serve others selflessly.

Sri Lanka is the second largest representation from Asia Pacific at this youth conference. Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Phillipines and Sri Lanka are the countries that come under zone three out of nine zones.

Each zone is allocated with a theme. A total of 95 countries will participate at this event.

Corpus Christie at St. Joseph’s College

Padminie Nanayakkara

CORPUS CHRISTIE: The ‘Corpus Christie’, feast of the most precious body and blood of Christ was held at St. Joseph’s College, Enderamulla recently.

The school premises was bedecked with red and white flags and decorations. There was a Eucharistic Repository placed in a specially decorated alter the open air ground where blessed sacrament was exposed for veneration for students as well as tutors.

The procession with the Blessed Sacrament started from the school premises led by the school band wended its way to the venue. Students strew floral tributes.

The chief celebrant was Rev. Fr. Anton Premalal, the parish priest of St. Sebestian’s Church, Enderamula. Rev. Fr. Premalal said “It is in the eucharist what we find a way of communicating with Jesus. Our bodies can become temples of the Holy Spirit when we receive Holy Communion at Mass worthily.

Rev. Dr. Anthony Fernandopulle, Principal St. Joseph’s College reminded children the inestimable love and concern of Jesus for children. He exhorted the children to live their lives always pleasant to God through prayers and worship. The colourful ceremony was ended with the Benediction of the Holy Eucharist.

Catholic Social Teaching and its contribution to Social Change

Rev. Fr. (Dr) Leopold Ratnasekera O.M.I., Ph.D., Th.D.

Continued from july 18

SOCIAL TEACHING: Gleaning systematically through this body of teaching, certain basic elements come to the fore. First of all there is the principle of social justice based on the dignity of the human being and his fundamental human rights and duties. Society is seen to be at the service of human being and not vice-versa.

A human being can never be an instrument of any ideology. The material universe towards which man has a responsibility of oversight and not abuse, is also for the benefit of human beings. There is the universal human destination of all material goods.

Man has a right to some noble type of work and his labour being noble in nature can never be exploited for financial gain. Capital should always be ruled by labour. The family has an important place and role to play in society and human history.

It is the cell of society and everything must be done to safeguard its identity, vocation and future. Any social, medical and ideological trend that militates against this social edifice has to be condemned outright.

The theme of the political community with its international dimensions, the area of economics and environmental issues too are important social realities to reckon with.

The political community is at the service of the civil community and has the duty of safeguarding their rights inclusive of religious freedom. The final and the most important social reality is the issue of peace in the world. The social doctrine carefully provides us with all the data of the Bible concerning the above topics.

Christian religion is interested in all these multi-faceted dimensions of personal, domestic and public life and sees the criteria coming from a gospel of human dignity and life, love of neighbour, justice and forgiveness, human solidarity and participatory style of responsibility in all spheres as essential to safeguard the humane face of our world-society.

The social doctrine of the Church advocates and promotes a culture of life that denounces all forms of activity and policies that threaten life like weapons of all kinds and medical ventures that deny right to life or promote its willful destruction.

It hopes to participate in building up a civilization of love in counteracting the clash of civilizations that now and again raises its monstrous head over our horizons.

Anything that is good, sublime and praiseworthy in the thinking, cultures and the history of civilizations, the Church strives to salvage. She struggles non-violently against all forces that can dehumanize our society and destroy all good sense, demands of natural law and conscience.

As the “expert of humanity” at all crossroads of history and in the dawn of modern civilization, she is able to prophetically signal the trends that are destructive and evil in nature. She condemns unequivocally all attacks against life such as directly intended abortion and euthanasia.

Such procedures as cloning and stem-cell research involving human embryos are severely put in question on basic ethical and religious moral grounds. In every field of life and activity the moral demands are to be respected. It is rationality with its well-enlightened and right reason that will guide and inspire human beings in their moral choices.

To be continued

They served in the vineyard of Lord

SILVER JUBILEE: The Catholic community in the Archdiocese of Colombo offered their thanksgiving and expressed their deep gratitude to God Almighty for the graces bestowed upon the Eleven Priestly sons of the diocese who celebrated Silver Jubilee of their priesthood yesterday, July 24.

They all were ordained to the priesthood by the Archbishop Emeritus Rt. Rev. Dr. Nicholas Marcus Fernando on July 24,1982 at St. Lucia’s Cathedral, Kotahena.

The eleven priests who celebrated their Silver Jubilee were Rev. Frs. Camillus Rohan de Alwis (Director Catholic Press); Anton Jayalath Fernando (Parish Priest - Pamunugama) Anthony Nimal Ponweera (England) Blase Cooray (Parish Priest - Thibbatugoda); Joseph Francis Jayakody (Canada); Bertram Ranjith (Parish Priest - Hanwella and District Head-Gurubevila); Daya Shelton Welikadaarachchi (National Seminary of Our Lady of Sri Lanka); Peter Ravalpulle (Parish Priest - Avissawella); W.Don. Anclitus (Resident Priest at Bopitiya); Bonny Fernandopulle - Rector - St. Sebastian College, Moratuwa and District Head) and Rev. Fr. Anthony Fernandopulle (Principal - St.Joseph’s College, Enderamulla). He is the brother of Rev. Fr. Colvin Fernandopulle, Procurator General and Judicial Vicar of the Kandy diocese.

Rev. Fr. Bede Nihal de Silva and Rev. Fr. Raja Ratnapriya Perera celebrate the silver jubilee of their Priestly Ordination on July 17. The thanksgiving Eucharistic Celebration will be held on the July 25 by His Grace, the Archbishop of Colombo, Most Rev. Dr. Oswald Gomis at 10.00 a.m. at the Cathedral of Queen of the Holy Rosary. Rev. Fr. Bede Nihal de Silva is the Rector of St. Francis Xavier’s Minor Seminary, Kalegana, Galle. Rev. Fr. Raja Ratnapriya Perera is the Procurator of the Diocese of Galle.

May they live long in good health to serve the Lord!

Feasts: July

FEASTS: July 29: St.Jame’s Feast at Modera. The Festive High Mass will be offered at 8.00 am. There will be Holy Masses at 5.00 am and 6.30 am.

July 29 : St.Anne’s Feast at Pilapitiya,and Beruwala.Beruwala St. Anne’s Church marks the 109th feast.Festive High Masses will be offered at 8.00 am in both Churches.

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Feasts: August

August 5 : St Anne’s Feast at Wattala and Kurana Churches. The hoisting of the flag will be on July 29 evening.

August 12 : Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes at Kala Oya.The Festive High Mass will be offered by Anuradhapura Bishop Rt Rev.Dr.Norbert Andradi at 8.00 am.The hoisting of flags on August 03.

August 19 : Feast of the Queen of Heaven, the Mahaweli Matha at Lathpandura, Dehiaththakandiya. The Festive High Mass will be offered at 8.30 am.