SECOND WORLD HINDU SUMMIT (WHS)

WHS - HARMONY AND TOLERANCE
DOMINATED BALI HINDU SUMMIT

- As many as 500 Hindu leaders and scholars from more than 21 countries called for enhancing tolerance during the Second World Hindu Summit (WHS), held in Bali last month. “We happily announce to the world that harmony and tolerance shall prevail and that acceptance is the basic principle of our relationship, with our brothers of same faith or with our brothers of the different faiths. Hindu believes in one world, one God Supreme, and one World Family. There are no boundaries or borders in Hindu Dharma. We are all one, we share the same fate and destiny,” the summit declaration said. A similar tone was expressed by the newly elected president of the World Hindu Parisad, Ida Pedanda Gede Ketut Sebali Tianyar Arimbawa.

Tianyar Arimbawa called on Hindus to enhance tolerance. “We are calling for all Hindu devotees to always be respectful to each other and accepting of different faiths,” the Hindu high priest said. Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono addressed the assembled leaders in a speech to the opening ceremony of the 35th Bali Arts Festival, attended by WHS participants. “I urge Hindu devotees from all around the world to always embody a harmonious and peaceful life,” he said. 
He also urged Indonesians across the archipelago to maintain tolerance. “We should firmly refuse any forms of violence committed in the name of a specific religion or identity because that is simply not consistent with our values and character as a nation that respects pluralism,” he said, stressing the nation's motto of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity).

The Second World Hindu Summit held in Bali last month discussed many contemporary issues including tolerance, the environment, health, science, human rights, and globalisation. Summit participants discussed increasing cases of intolerance around the world, and this is a crucial issue because tolerance is the key for creating a peaceful life. Lack of tolerance makes us sectarian and that spirit - that makes us support only the religious group which we belong to and motivates us to forcibly convert others to our belief - only has brought turmoil and unrest in the world. Instead of criticizing and being intolerant of others, why not glorify their values and strengths? (Editor's note).

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

Guru Maharaj, His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Promode Puri Goswami Maharaj. His behavior is the absolute example of a Vaishnava. Of a Vaishnava's nature, there are four main qualities. First quality is humility. His humility was excellent. No one can compare with him. He is an example of humility. For that reason other Vaishnava were attracted to him. It would always be a nice connection. And then his tolerance. Amongst the Vaishnavas communities, societies, there are so many problems. But he was not one of these problems; he never engaged in discord. He was always in his mood, his divine mood. He felt it this tolerance. He never criticized any soul, no one at all. I never heard any criticism to others. Instead of criticism his nature was to glorify. He made a habit of glorifying the devotees.

Śrīla Bhakti Bibudha Bodhayan Mahārāja :
Interview on 20 May 2001 
Interviewed by Gourapriya Das (RVN)
Translated by Anuradha Dasi
http://bvml.net/SBBBM/index.htm
Sri Gopinath Gaudiya Math - http://www.gopinathmath.com/

Published by dasavatara das - “Vedic Views on World News”
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/