Love or Religion?

[Guest guest]

Love is the essence of religion too, for it is religion (not

organised religion) that teaches ethics and compassion.

 

The story goes that once the Devil and his close friend went for a

walk. The devil picked up something from the ground and put it in his

pocket. When he was asked by his friend what he had picked up, he

said: " I have picked up the Truth " .

 

The friend said: " If you picked up the Truth, then your time is up

because Truth is the opposite of what you symbolise " . The devil

smiled and said, " Don't worry my friend, I will organise it " . You

know what I mean?

 

Of course, organisation is necessary but we should see that the core

is not corroded by the trappings. The evolved human being is not

judged by the number of cars he owns or his bank balance. He is

judged by his capacity to understand and love; by his compassionate

nature and strong desire for peace - all hallmarks of an evolved

being.

 

The ancient Vedic prayer Sarve Bhavantu Sukhina says, " May the whole

world be happy " . Clearly, love is the essence of life. Love is a many-

splendoured entity. Physical love or spiritual love has the same

source, although it manifests at different degrees. Love and

compassion are pure unadulterated love, that give out of its

fullness, and is the essence of all religion.

 

The compassion and love of all humanity of the Buddha is well-known.

Love is the parent of ahimsa or non-violence. It is love that shares,

cares and gives. It is the foundation of dharma. The Sufis call love

mohabbat. Love which is slowly sublimated is divine love. The sufi

mystic Jalaluddin Rumi's poetry of love, The Maznavi, reflects this

mohabbat.

 

In fact, the Quran starts by saying 'Bismillah-ir-Rehman-ir-Rahim'

which means " In the name of God, the Compassionate " . Compassion is

the highest manifestation of love. When the great Teacher of Galilee,

Jesus Christ, was crucified, it is said that Peter the Apostle

reached for the sword, only to be reprimanded by his master - " Put

down thy sword, Peter, for he who raises the sword shall perish by

it " .

 

In the Gita, Krishna says to Arjuna, " The first and foremost

qualification of a religious person is Sarva bhuta hite ratah - he

should have love and concern for all living beings in the universe " .

 

Sowing the seeds of love in our hearts is the only solution to the

problems of the world. Great literature, sublime poetry, exquisite

works of art have all been inspired by love and compassion. It is

unselfish love for humanity which is the culmination and the highest

point to which love can soar to.

 

When that happens, one lives for the good of others. The highest

evolutionary attainment is the experience of love for all human

beings. And if we claim to be religious and neglect this aspect we

are religious only in name.

 

Ramakrishna Paramahamsa felt so much love and compassion for others

that he would experience excruciating pain whenever he felt another's

sorrow. To love and serve those in sorrow and pain, he declared, was

the best way to serve God.

 

Change should begin with the individual. Once we sow the seeds of

love in our hearts, they will sprout and yield the fruits of

compassion not only for the individual concerned, but for all.

 

Jai Sai Ram