vivek
Swami Vivekananda’s Concept of Universal Religion and its application to
Global City and Modern Cyber Society.
Introduction
Religion is deeply rooted in man and from time immemorial it has been running through his blood. Religion has been a dominating factor in man and his ways of thinking and behavior. In many ways, religion has been a very intimate matter in man and his life. Within the modern global city, various religious believers have to live physically close to one another because of the economic and social reasons. To create a peaceful co-existence within global society respect for religious diversity and acceptance of religious pluralism is essential.
Contemporary Indian philosopher Swami Vivekananda has discovered a unique explanation to the concept of religion. He argued for the necessity of a universal religion or acceptance of religious pluralism. According to him, religion is not just a talk on doctrines or theories, nor is it sectarianism. Religion does not live in sects and societies. It is a relationship between soul and god. He explained that religion does not consist in erecting temples or building churches or attending public worship. Also it cannot be found in the books or in words or in lectures or in organizations. Religion consists of realization. Religion does not consist in subscribing to a particular creed or faith but in spiritual realization. Therefore, spiritual realization is religion.
He pointed out that the different people in the world approach spirituality in different ways. Furthermore he asserted that man and his true nature is already divine. But that divinity is hidden. Therefore, the realization of that divinity is the purpose of life which is the essence of religion. To realize that religion, according to Vivekananda, man should have to practice four yogas. Those are the yoga of knowledge, control of mind, selfless work, and love of God. Therefore, religion
1
is the essence of human life and
Global City and Modern Cyber Society.
Introduction
Religion is deeply rooted in man and from time immemorial it has been running through his blood. Religion has been a dominating factor in man and his ways of thinking and behavior. In many ways, religion has been a very intimate matter in man and his life. Within the modern global city, various religious believers have to live physically close to one another because of the economic and social reasons. To create a peaceful co-existence within global society respect for religious diversity and acceptance of religious pluralism is essential.
Contemporary Indian philosopher Swami Vivekananda has discovered a unique explanation to the concept of religion. He argued for the necessity of a universal religion or acceptance of religious pluralism. According to him, religion is not just a talk on doctrines or theories, nor is it sectarianism. Religion does not live in sects and societies. It is a relationship between soul and god. He explained that religion does not consist in erecting temples or building churches or attending public worship. Also it cannot be found in the books or in words or in lectures or in organizations. Religion consists of realization. Religion does not consist in subscribing to a particular creed or faith but in spiritual realization. Therefore, spiritual realization is religion.
He pointed out that the different people in the world approach spirituality in different ways. Furthermore he asserted that man and his true nature is already divine. But that divinity is hidden. Therefore, the realization of that divinity is the purpose of life which is the essence of religion. To realize that religion, according to Vivekananda, man should have to practice four yogas. Those are the yoga of knowledge, control of mind, selfless work, and love of God. Therefore, religion
1
is the essence of human life and
References: Publishing Company, New Delhi, (1883) Brightman, E.S Philosophy of Religion, Green Wood Press Publishers, New York, 1940 Ashrama, Kolkata, 1918 Kenneth R. Vivekananda, Mount Road, Channi, (1988) Jyotiomayananda, S, (www.advaitaonline.com), 2006 Robinson, B.A. The Philosophy and Religious Lectures of Swami Vivekanada, Trio Process, Kolkata, India, 1984 Society of New York, 1994 Vivekananda, S Buddha and His Message, Advita Ashrama, Kolkata, (www.advaitaonline.com), 1992 (www.advaitaonline.com), 2004 Vidyatmananda, S Trio Process, Advita Ashrama, Kolkata, 1972 Vijayahankar Issues, Presented at the AMIC Seminar in Chennai on December 12, 2000.