© 2004 Hindu
American Foundation, Inc.
Hinduism is the
world’s oldest living religion. It is a rich collection
of hundreds of spiritual and philosophical traditions followed
throughout Asia for more than 5000 years. Most traditions
within Hinduism share certain distinctive, core beliefs
despite the absence of an identifiable beginning in history,
single founder, central religious establishment or sole
authoritative scripture. Two of these core beliefs are that
of tolerance and pluralism. While tolerance and pluralism
are valued by many religions, these concepts are the very
essence of Hinduism and are expressed through the diversity
of Hindu practice and centuries of peaceful coexistence
of various faiths.
By accepting the divinity in all beings, Hinduism views
the universe as a family or, in Sanskrit, vasudhaiva
kutumbakam. All beings, from the smallest organism
to man, are considered manifestations of God. Mankind carries
a special responsibility, as it is believed to be the most
spiritually evolved with the capacity to not only tolerate,
but honor the underlying equality and unity of all beings.
The popularly recited Hindu invocation demonstrates this
concern for universal kinship:
Aum sarve bhavantu
sukhinah. Sarve santu niramayah.
Sarve bhadhrani pashyantu. Maa kaschid dukh bhaagbhave.
May all beings be happy.
May all beings be healthy.
May all beings experience prosperity. May none in the world
suffer.
The concept of pluralism
within Hinduism is, in essence, tolerance taken one step further.
For all members of this universal family, Hinduism promotes
not only tolerance and respect for differences in belief and
religion, but also acceptance of those paths as legitimate.
This true, unadulterated pluralism is captured in the ancient
Sanskrit hymn:
Ekam sat vipraha bahudha
vadanti
Truth is one, the wise call it by many names.
Thus, Hinduism asserts that
it is not only harmful, but inherently flawed to insist that
one’s own path towards God is the only true and meaningful
path. Based on this firm pluralistic belief, Hinduism has
never sanctioned proselytization. Further, over their vast
history, Hindus have never invaded another land in the name
of religion. It is also clear that, for centuries in Southeast
Asia, it has been this Hindu brand of absolute pluralism,
which has provided the ideal environment for peaceful coexistence
and prosperity for at least 8 major religions, including Hinduism,
Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Sikhism, Jainism and
Zoroastrianism among others.
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