Ahmadhiya Muslim Community Peace Symposium QLD

Surendra Prasad OAM represented Hindu Council of Australia at an Ahmadhiya Muslim Community Peace symposium held in Queensland on 10th December, 2017. He presented Hinduism prospective on Peace in the Symposium.  His full speech is given below.

Speech by Surendra Prasad (QLD)

 Thank you MC, for your kind introduction.

I would like to acknowledge the elders past and present on whose land we have gathered here today. I would also like to acknowledge Imams, inter-faith leaders, distinguished  guests, ladies and gentlemen.

I sincerely thank Amadhiya Muslim Community for organizing this important Peace symposium

I will start with prayer and words of wisdom.

O, LORD MAY WE MOVE FORWARD IN HARMONY, IN HARMONY SHALL WE SPEAK, IN HARMONY SHALL OUR MIND APPREHEND; WITH UNITED MINDS MAY WE ACHIEVE NOBLE GOALS.

WE PRAY THAT UNITED BE OUR DELIBIRATIONS, UNITED BE OUR ASSEMBLY, UNITED BE OUR MINDS IN HARMONIOUS UNDERSTANDING; UNITED BE OUR RESOLUTIONSTHROUGH FRIENDLY DELIBERATIONS, MAKE OUR OFFERING IN PERFECT HARMONY, AND UNITED BE OUR WILLS, UNITED BE OUR HEARTS, UNITED BE OUR THOUGHTS, SO THAT WE MAY ALL BE PERFECTLY UNITED FOR THE WELL BEING OF ALL AND EVERYTHING CONCERNED FOR THE PROGRESS ON THIS LAND AND PLANET.

There are 5 main principles of Hinduism which begin with   letter P

  1. Prameshwara (GOD
  2. Prarthana (Prayer)
  3. Purnjanma (Rebirth)
  4. Purushartha (Law of action)
  5. Prani Daya (Compassion for all living beings or non- violence )

I will speak on principle 5 which relates in today’s discussion.

Prani Daya- Compassion of all living being- Non Violence (Ahimsa)

  1. The soul exists in all beings

According to Hindu religion, it is a sin to bring suffering or death to any living being. It urges human to show love and mercy to all.

 

Every living being from the largest beast to the minutest insect has a soul . It is found equally in Elephant as well as in the ants. Like human, other creatures also experience pleasure and pain . Just as we do not like to suffer pain, others also do not like it. Therefore we should not cause pain to others.

 

Our Sacred book, Bhagwat Gita says;

“HE WHO SEES THE SUFFERING IN THE CREATURE JUST AS HE SEES IN HIMSELF, IS A YOGI OR MAN OF VIRTUE.

The 18th mantra of the Yajurveda, chapter 36 says;

MITRASYA CHATSHUSA SAMIKSHAMHE

May we look at all with a friendly eye.

 

  1. Non Violence or ashimsa and love:

 

This compassion of all living beings leads to the great religious principle of nonviolence or ashimsa. Among all living being human is the highest. He can think intelligently. He has spread religious thoughts.

 

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relgion teaches that we should do good to all ,  love and show mercy to all.

The Mahabharta,our sacred book

“Ashimsa Paramo Dharma”

Non Violence is the foremost virtue.

 

That one should not injure others, the same attitude should be shown towards other creatures. Our fillings of love should be extended .Hatred and jealousy must be abandoned. Love must be extended to all the citizens and foreigners, the follower of one faith or other, black or white, rich or poor, educated or illiterate.

THESE ARE SOME OF THE PRINCIPLES OF HINDUISM

 

God is love. The true religion is the religion of love or religion of the heart. Feel for others as you feel for yourself. Religion is a realization of God and it is love, peace and respect.

 

Though all religion may have different laws and ways of praying, there is one god. Our eternal and infinite soul by whose power the body is active, as do all the bodies. As soul our true being and existence.

 

We at those in creation- are one, though our bodies are different. If we possess such a vision, where is the question of saying that we belong to particular race?

 

Mahatma Gandhi, a great leader and philosopher once said and I quote:

 

“If single man achieves the highest kind of love, it will be sufficient to neutralize the hate of millions. Unquote.

 

 

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There is one form of life, the human form, in which we are capable of receiving the precious knowledge and making this world a peaceful place. Our biggest obstacle is our very own mind. So we have to change our thoughts and make peace with   the world.

 

In order to build world of lasting peace, we must apply a simple, basic principle. This principle is the essence of God’s own nature, Gods own character, namely the principle of “living the sake of others.”

 

When we apply this principle in our daily lives ….in our families, our communities, our place of work and worship, in our governments and in our businesses…..we begin the process of transforming the society ,nation ,and  the world.

 

God’s handiwork can be seen in virtually all aspect of human history. He has one goal and purpose in mind. , namely to restore his sons and daughters and create one family under God. In other words, God too wants to transform the society, the nation and the world. God’s desire to achieve this goal is infinitely greater than human being.

 

This restoration does not begin fundamentally with political, economic, cultural, or social transformation. It begins with the realm of the spirit, realm of the mind, and our conscience. The transformation of the world begins with the transformation of the self.

 

True and lasting peace must begin with each one of us.

 

My friends, when we think of peace, we usually think of relationship and ties within the world, but we must realize that

 

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there will be no peace in the world unless individual is at peace with himself.

 

To achieve peace and harmony in the world inter-faith dialogue needs to be involved not only in faith leaders but also in ordinary citizens from all works of life and sectors, including professionals, politicians, religious leaders, media and educators. Finally the role of education in promoting inter-faith dialogue is essential and vital, so that children and youths, who will be the future leaders and adult citizens, can also grow up to promote a culture of respect, harmony, justice and non-violence.

 

There is, therefore, major responsibility and challenge for schools in the world to integrate principles, values and perspective of inter-faith dialogue towards building a culture of peace into the curriculum and dimensions of school life.

 

QUESTION- How can the religious leaders and the government work together to make the country a harmonious and peaceful place to live.

 

Now the time has come for the leaders of the world and our government to change their hearts and work with the religious leaders and other community leaders to make our country harmonious and peaceful place to live.

 

My friends, I URGE all the brothers and sisters to recognize that Australia is our  home and will be home for our children and many generationS to come. Educate your children that Australia is their future. I AM, WE ARE AUSTRALIANS

 

Finally, I humbly request and pray to all inter-faith leaders and others that we respect teachings and wisdoms of each

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other’s faiths and civilizations  , while we also seek to find common values, virtues and principles that guide us to relate to all people with love compassion, justice and peace.

 

Let us all humbly share our minds, hearts and spirit to build a peaceful, harmonious and sustainable nation and the world.

 

TOGETHER WE  ARE ONE, WE ACHIEVE.

 

God bless.  thank you

 

Surendra Prasad OAM

10TH December,2017

Ahmadhiya Muslim Community Peace symposium

 

 

 

 

 

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