The Dalai Lama, Baba Ramdev, Acharya Dr. Lokesh Muni came together, along with other prominent personalities, at a ‘World Peace Conclave’, organized by Ahimsa Vishwa Bharti organization, at the NSCI Dome, in Mumbai, earlier this month.
A seminar ‘Unity in Diversity- Indian Heritage’ was held in the presence of the Dalai Lama, Baba Ramdev, Dr. Lokesh Muni, Vice President of All India Muslim Personal Law Board Moulana Dr. Kalbe Sadiq, Chief Jatthedar Akal Takht Giani Gurbachan Singh, Archbishop Felix Mavhado, P.P Jain Acharya Kulchandravijayji Maharaj, P.P Gurudev Namra Muniji Maharaj, P.P Sadhvi Maynashriji and many more spiritual leaders from India and abroad.
The seminar was also addressed by Indian ministers Piyush Goyal, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Dr. Mahesh Sharma, and Purushottam Rupala.
The Dalai Lama said that India and China should work together. He said violence and terrorism carried out in the name of religion is a “very sad”. He urged religious leaders to promote interfaith dialogue to end terrorism and violence.
People need to respect other faiths and strive to see that everyone is the product of deities, or the “same son of God,” he said. He said the danger of a third world war is haunting humanity.
The Dalai Lama appreciated that Dr. Lokesh Muni has an action plan for establishing world peace and harmony; he is bringing different religious leaders on one platform to work in an organized manner.
Archbishop Felix Anthony Machado talked about the need for peace in our hearts if we seek to create peace in the world. What is required, he said, is unity and truth. Union Minister for Agriculture and Panchayat Raj saluted the spiritual leaders. Union Minister for Science & Technology; Environment, Forest and Climate Change; as well as Earth Sciences, Dr. Harsh Vardhan told the audience of more than 4000 that the government is determined to do what it can to take India forward, but needs the people’s support and participation.
Acharya Dr. Lokesh Muni paid tribute to Swami Ramdev for sparking a widespread interest in yoga. Observing the need to include instruction on peace and non-violence, as recommended by His Holiness, in the school curriculum, he also suggested taking His Holiness’s message about resisting the urge to resort to violence to places of conflict.
Swami Ramdev began with a characteristic declamation—“Bharat Mata ki Jai”. In the course of an extensive oration he suggested that China should be aware that all major religions are about peace and non-violence. Consequently, India, which is a religious country, is ready to engage in dialogue, but if her opponent wants war, she’s ready for that too.
In the name of religion, caste and community, innocent people are killed in counties like Syria, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Bangladesh, France, Russia every day, he said. There is a need for interfaith dialogue in such situations, as violence and terrorism cannot solve any problem. Violence gives rise to counter violence, he said.
“Religion brings us together, it does not create difference. There is no place for violence and hatred on the path of religion. We can solve every problem through dialogue. It is necessary that we respect others existence and view point as we respect our own others existence and view point. There can be difference of opinions but not difference in hearts,” said Muni.
Baba Ramdev said that yoga is symbol of unity and strength. Yoga brings internal and external peace.
Maulana Kalbe Sadiq said that Muslims should come forward to build Ram Mandir Ayodhya. He said that even if they win the case in court they should give the land for building Ram Mandir as it is a matter of faith.
“India is an example of religious tolerance. This Indian culture can be promoted in different parts of the world through religious gurus to establish world peace and harmony,” he said.
Bollywood actor Vivek Oberoi, film director Madhur Bhandarkar, boxing champion Vijendra Singh, were some of the other personalities who attended the meet.
