Mata Amritanandamayi ( Ammachi )
Address at Millennium World Peace Summit at United Nations
The Role of Religion in Conflict Transformation
August 29, 2000
Salutations to all gathered here, who are verily the embodiments of love and
the Supreme Self.
We have stepped into the new millennium with great hopes and expectations of
change. But though the numbers denoting the year are different, essentially
nothing else has changed. The real change must happen within us. For only when
conflict and negativity are removed from within can we play a truly
constructive role in establishing peace. With the goal of peace in mind, the
invaluable efforts of the United Nations to bring nations together, thereby
creating peace and harmony, merit heartfelt praise.
The very words 'nation' and 'religion' imply division and diversity. This
diversity may seem to create obstacles in fostering peace, happiness and
prosperity in the world. Yet, in reality, it is this diversity that brings
richness and beauty to the world and to human life-just as a bouquet made of
flowers of a variety of colors is more beautiful than a bouquet of flowers
that are exactly the same.
There is one Truth that shines through all of creation. Rivers and mountains,
plants and animals, the sun, the moon and the stars, you and I - all are
expressions of this one Reality. It is by assimilating this truth in our
lives, and thus gaining a deeper understanding, that we can discover the
inherent beauty in this diversity. When we work together as a global family,
not merely belonging to a particular race, religion or nation, peace and
happiness will once again prevail on this earth which is drenched with the
tears of division and conflict.
As I travel around the world, people come to me and share their sorrows. Some
have told me that a husband, wife, or child had been killed in a religious
clash. Sometimes it was a fight between Hindus and Muslims, other times
between Hindus and Christians or between Christians and Muslims. It's so
painful to hear. The reason for the fighting is that people are not going into
the depth of their religion. Our ties to a religion, society, or country
should not make us forget our basic human values.
No one is an isolated island; we are all links in the great chain of life.
Just as the right hand reaches out to aid the left hand when it is injured,
the ability to feel the sufferings of all beings as our own, and an intense
yearning to comfort them, should awaken within us.
We are living in an era in which science and modern communication have turned
the world into one small community, reducing the barriers of time and space.
The latest developments in the field of telecommunications keep us informed
instantaneously of events occurring in any part of the world. Events in one
part of the globe affect the entire planet to a greater or lesser extent.
Although the world has become closer through technology, we have not drawn
closer in our hearts.
For example, members of a family, though physically close, are often like
isolated islands. Today, we are capable of destroying the earth in an instant.
But we also have the innate capacity to create heaven on earth. The future of
humanity depends on the choice we make.
Societies and nations are comprised of individuals. If we look back through
history, we can see that all conflicts originate from conflict within the
individual. Where lies the origin of conflict? It is the lack of awareness of
our true nature, the one living power within us, of which we are all a part.
The role of spirituality, true religion, is to awaken this awareness and to
help us develop such qualities as love, empathy, tolerance, patience and
humility.
Religion is the science of the mind. Today we are able to air-condition the
external world, but we have yet to learn how to air-condition the mind. We are
trying to clone human beings, but we do not attempt to create within ourselves
a perfect, loving and peaceful human being. An important role of religion is
this purification process.
Today we are aware of the need to protect our environment, and this, of
course, is essential. Yet, we are seldom concerned with the pollution that
negative thoughts and actions create in the atmosphere and in the
consciousness of humanity. The inner pollution of the mind is in many ways
more lethal than chemical pollution, for it has the power to destroy humanity
at any time. We therefore need to purify our mental environment.
Though the founders of all religions realized and practiced the noblest ideals
in their lives, many followers have failed to live up to them. Instead of
focusing on the essence of religious principles of love and compassion, we
focus on the external rituals and traditions, which vary from religion to
religion. That is how these religions, which were originally meant to foster
peace and a sense of unity among us, became instrumental in spreading war and
conflict. This does not negate the importance of religious disciplines and
traditions. Indeed, they have their own significance. They are necessary for
our spiritual development. But we must remember, these traditions are the
means to the goal and not the goal itself.
Suppose a person has to cross a river by boat. Upon reaching the other shore,
he has to leave the boat and move onward. If he insists on clinging to the
boat, his progress will be hampered. Similarly, we have to give more
importance to the goal of religion and not be overly attached to the means. We
should remember that religion is meant for humanity, and not humanity for
religion.
To solve the complex and controversial issues such as religious freedom,
conversion, and fanaticism, the religious leaders must come together in
dialogue with open hearts in order to arrive at mutually acceptable, practical
solutions.
However, for such discussions to be fruitful, we must first plant the seeds of
love, peace and patience within ourselves. To achieve lasting peace, we must
strive to rid ourselves of hatred and hostility. The key to world peace is
within every individual residing on this planet. Just as each member of a
household shares the responsibility of safeguarding the home, each one of us
shares the responsibility of world peace.
The leaders of three religions-A, B and C-decided to convene a meeting to
bring about peace. God was so pleased with their efforts that he sent an angel
to them during the meeting. The angel asked the leaders what they wished. The
leader of religion A said, "Religion B is responsible for all the problems. So
please wipe them off the face of the earth!" The leader of religion B said,
"Religion A is the cause of all our troubles. You have to reduce them to
ashes!" By now the angel was disappointed. The angel turned expectantly to the
leader of Religion C. With an expression of grave humility, C's leader said,
"I wish nothing for myself. It will be enough if you merely grant the prayers
of my two colleagues!"
Peace is not just the absence of war and conflict; it goes well beyond that.
Peace must be fostered within the individual, within the family and within
society. Simply transferring the world's nuclear weapons to a museum will not
in itself bring about world peace. The nuclear weapons of the mind must first
be eliminated.
All the great religions have infinite wisdom and beauty to share. Instead of
trying to increase the number of followers, religions should create an
environment in which one may wisely accept the noble ideals of any religion.
Tomorrow's world will be shaped by today's children. In their tender minds, it
is easy to cultivate universal human values. If you walk through a field of
soft, green grass a few times, you will quickly make a path, whereas, it takes
countless trips to forge a trail on a rocky hillside. The teaching of
universal spiritual principles and human values should be a standard part of
the general education, not only the responsibility of the family. This should
not be delayed any further, for if there is delay, the future generations will
be lost to the world.
We cannot lose sight of the essential needs of people, for until these needs
are met, it is impossible for anyone to aspire to higher states of awareness
and understanding. If, in any part of the world, people are dying of hunger or
suffering in poverty, it is a matter of shame for all nations. Based on the
religious ideal of universal brotherhood, all nations that are in a position
to help should share their material wealth and resources. There is enough for
the survival of all living beings on this earth, yet not enough to satisfy the
greed of a few.
Lending a helping hand to a neglected soul, feeding the hungry, a
compassionate smile towards the sad and dejected-this is the real language of
religion. We should invoke God's compassion in our own hearts and hands.
Living only for oneself is not life, but death.
Some may say that the world will remain the same no matter how hard we try to
change it. Striving for world peace is as useless as trying to straighten a
dog's curly tail. However much one may try to straighten it, the tail will
immediately curl back. Yet, through constant effort, we will build our muscles
even if the tail doesn't become straight. In the same way, regardless of
whether we fail or succeed in bringing about world peace, we, ourselves, will
change for the better. Even if there is no visible change, the change in us
will eventually effect change in the world. Furthermore, whatever harmony
exists in the world today is a result of such a force. We must learn from the
past, or we will repeat our mistakes. Those who have harmed others in the past
should now engage in positive actions to uplift the victims of their past
oppression. These principles apply to governments as well as to individuals.
Each nation should foster an atmosphere of forgiveness, openness, friendship,
trust, help and support to heal old wounds. In order to heal the wounds,
broken relationships should be stitched with the thread of love. For this,
more than intellectual knowledge, we should have awareness about our oneness.
Let us focus on what we can give to others-not on what we can get for
ourselves. Only then, can we bring about a total transformation in our global
family. Thus, by living the ideals of religion, we transcend our
narrow-mindedness, and our lives will become offerings to the world.
The following are some of the globally recognized problem areas in which the
UN should strengthen their efforts:
1) In God's creation, men and women are equal. But over the centuries, the sad
condition of women has not significantly improved. Women, who give birth to
humankind, should be assured an equal role in society.
2) Millions of people are suffering from AIDS, which continues to spread like
wildfire. This disease must be brought under control.
3) Let the UN lead the transformation from a world of conflict to one of peace
by training a group of youth in community service. These young emissaries,
serving selflessly throughout the world, will inspire people to cultivate
universal spiritual and human values. What cannot be achieved through
bloodshed can be achieved through love.
4) Terrorism and violence against human beings in the name of any religion
should be condemned at the international level and the appropriate strong
action should be taken.
Love is the only medicine that can heal the wounds of the world. Just as the
body needs food to grow, the soul needs love to unfold. Love is more
nourishing than breast milk is for a baby. Love is the very foundation, beauty
and fulfillment of life. Where love exists, there cannot be conflict of any
kind; peace alone will reign.
May the light of love and peace shine within our hearts. Let us all become
messengers of universal peace, illuminating the hearts of everyone, dispelling
the darkness of hatred and conflict that has overshadowed today's world. Let
us all awaken to a new tomorrow, filled with universal love and brotherhood.
Is this not the goal and dream of the United Nations? May the Supreme Power
bestow grace upon us that we may realize this noble prayer.
Om Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavanthu
Om Shantih Shantih Shantih