Karnataka - Bangalore   

`Let love be supreme, let there be harmony'

Special Correspondent

`Problems arise when we think only we are right'

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Bangalore: "Let us all take into heart what is common in different faiths and dwell on the differences. Let us not try to change others... let there be harmony and let love be supreme,'' Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of Art of Living Foundation, said at an inter-faith dialogue on `God in Hinduism and Islam' here recently.

Islamic scholars such as Zakir Naik, founder of Islamic Research Foundation, participated in the dialogue. The main difference between Hinduism and Islam is that Hindus believe there is God in everything and Muslims believe everything is God's, he said.

The focus was on trying to find a common ground between the two religions rather than worsening differences. But some of the scholars felt otherwise.

The custom of idol worship followed by Hindus was seen as being the exact opposite of the Islamic concept of one formless being. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said that an idol is only a symbol of divinity and there are a number of Hindus who pray without any image in front of them.

Dr. Naik quoted extensively from the Koran, Vedas, Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita to show that both faiths had in common ideals for good living and concepts of morality and ethics.

The differences that persisted in the dialogue were mainly regarding the manner of worship. Some felt Islam has reached a higher level of consciousness. For a Hindu, there is the distinction between religion and spirituality and the spirit of accommodating even the agnostic.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said: "God can be seen in every aspect of creation. When we can appreciate a painting, how can we not appreciate the artist or painter? Problems arise when we think only we are right and try to correct others... "

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