Religion is known as a controversial issue in this modern era. Specially, the translation of 'Dharma' into religion also has created many confusions and controversy. According to the eastren philosophy we believe in 'Dharma', which means eternal duty and basic nature of every being and thing. 'Dharma' is a snaskrit word which originates from 'Dhriyan' which means holding its original property. Everything and every being has its original property that must not be diluted. As water is cold and flows downward, fire gives light and heat, similarly, human being should be joyful, peaceful and blissful. One can see these original properties in a child also. So, it’s the time to promote the true light of  'Dharma' at national and international level. 'Dharma' shouldn't be avoided by any person, party or group. Rather it should be accepted by all because by only 'Dharma' we understand ourselves and others. We appreciate good human values and preserve virtues. 'Dharma' is always one and religions are different. If the message of  'Dharma' is propagated sincerely at every level then none will go against 'Dharma' or protest 'Dharma' by any names. 

With the passage of time and situation Homo Sapiens created some bizarre and some sacred codes of conduct to make life more static and comf ortable which developed into a religion over the long course of human history. According to the philologist Max Müller, the root of the English word "religion", the Latin religio, was originally used to mean only "reverence for God or the gods, careful pondering of divine things, piety" (which Cicero further derived to mean "diligence"). The psychologist William James defined religion as "the feelings, acts, and experiences of individual men in their solitude, so far as they apprehend themselves to stand in relation to whatever they may consider the divine".

The anthropologist Clifford Geertz defined religion as a "system of symbols which acts to establish powerful, pervasive, and long-lasting moods and motivations in men by formulating conceptions of a general order of existence and clothing these conceptions with such an aura of factuality that the moods and motivations seem uniquely realistic.” The sociologist Durkheim, in his seminal book “The Elementary Forms of the Religious Life”, defined religion as a "unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things".

No matter how we define religion, the core theme of all the religion is peace, understanding and co-existence. Each religious book, each deity, each shrine, each myth, each founder of the religion differs in appearance, rituals and practices but the core value is same. This proves that religion has been created for peace and understanding and not for competition and anarchy. 

Religion’s Message

Hindu

ç ;x gfjjt', ;x gf} e'gSt', ;xjLo{+ s/jfjx}, t]hl:jgfjwLtd:t', df ljlåiffjx} ..

Meaning, ‘‘let’s live together, let’s eat together, let’s strengthen ourselves together, let’s not harm anybody.’’ 

Buddhism

of] ;x:;+ ;x:;]g ;+ufd] dfg'if] lhg], Ps~r h]o cQfg+ ; j] ;+ufdh'Qdf] .. wDdkb

Meaning, ‘‘It is worth to win a single war with oneself rather than thousands of wars with the world.’’ 

Christianity 

Love your neighbours like yourself. Peace, I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 

Islam

Honour each other: (O mankind! We created you from a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes that you may know and honour each other (not that you should despise one another). Indeed the most honorable of you in the sight of God is the most righteous”. 

Jainism

h] o a'4f cOSs+tf ,h] o a'4f c0ffuof . ;+lt t]l;+ kO6\7f0f+ e'of0f+ huO hxf .

Meaning ………………………..

Baha’i  

It behoveth the sovereigns of the world may God assist them of the ministers of the earth to take counsel together and to adopt one of the existing languages of a new one to be taught to children in schools throughout the world, and likewise one script. Thus the whole earth will come to be regarded as one country.

Sikha

a|xd lucfgL s} ldq zq' ;dfg .. a|xd lucfgL s} gfxL cledfg .. a|xd lucfgL pm“r t] pm“rf ..

dg ckg} x] ;e t] gLrf .. a|xd lucfgL ;] hg eP .. gfgs lhg k|e cfk s/]O{ ..@..

Meaning a person with wisdom who accepts friends and enemy at the same level. They are humble and keep themselves as ordinary as possible although they are highly intellectual. Guru Nanaka will bless these pious people.    

Judiasm 

……………………….

If we review the statement of above mentioned religions then the message of every religion is for peace and understanding rather than chaos and rivalry. 

Peace and Religion 

Religious beliefs often seek to identify and address the basic problems of human life, including the conflicts between, among, and within persons and societies. Christians claim Jesus of Nazareth to be the "Prince of Peace", the Messiah Christ who established a Kingdom of Peace where persons, societies, and all of creation are to be healed of evil. For persons to enter this Kingdom and experience peace, 

Buddhists believe that peace can be attained once all suffering ends. They regard all suffering as stemming from cravings (in the extreme, greed), aversions (fears), or delusions. To eliminate such suffering and achieve personal peace, followers in the path of the Buddha adhere to a set of teachings called the Four Noble Truths — a central tenet in Buddhist philosophy. Islam means submission. The title "Muslim" -- etymologically directly related to salaam and the name Islam -- means a person who submits to Allah in salaam. The submission to Allah (the Arabic proper noun for "The God", One and Only) is based on humility. 

Hinduism considers peace as the highest level of humanitarian value. This is why all the saints sing the same chant before beginning any program.

ç Bf}M zflGtM cfkM zflGtM cGtl/IfM zflGtM cf]ifwoM zflGtM jg:ktoM zflGtM =======    

Meaning let there be peace on water, medicine, plants, earth and universe. 

Peace and religion are closely associated which needs proper understanding otherwise some mundane reader with skeptic thinking may mislead a huge mass.

Bases of understanding

Although each religion is guided with its fine-looking philosophy, nature and characteristics but politicization of religion sometime warns to create distinct bases of understanding among the religious leaders. Few bases of understanding among the religious leaders could be as following: 

a. All the religious scriptures needs to studied with deeper understanding

b. Religion should be far from politics

c. Extremist and misguiding leaders should be kept far from religion

d. Each religion should be given equal respect and treatment in national and international law

e. Every religion should be given opportunity to flourish but the people should be aware about the conversion (forced and luring) 

f. To promote religious tolerance open dialogue should be conducted among religions

g. A common rule should be made to protect and conserve all the religions of the world

h. Religious leaders should stand against all the unethical propaganda and inform the community for the prevention and protection of all new born children, HIV AIDS, environment and humanity

i. School level curriculum should be made so that each child would love their religion and respect other religion. 

Role of Hinduism Hinduism does not have a "unified system of belief encoded in declaration of faith or a creed", but is rather an umbrella term comprising the plurality of religious phenomena originating and based on the Vedic traditions.

The characteristic of comprehensive tolerance to differences in belief, and Hinduism's openness, makes it difficult to define it as a religion according to traditional Western conceptions. To its adherents, Hinduism is the traditional way of life and because of the wide range of traditions and ideas incorporated within or covered by it, arriving at a comprehensive definition of the term is problematic. The follower even calls it “ocean” which accepts monotheist, polytheist, incarnation, conversion and non-conversion. Therefore, Hinduism does not discriminate any religion or way of following religion. 

Interfaith movement in Nepal

Acronym of Never End Peace And Love is Nepal, so, the fertile ground of Nepal has accepted and embraced any religion and religious movement in the country which well grew and is still growing. Religious tolerance has been one of the remarkable characteristics of the country. St Xavier’s and St Marie’s opened during Panchayat rule, mosque opened in front of the Royal Palace and the Government helping Muslims for Hajj are some of the examples of Nepal’s openness towards every religion. Due to geopolitics, minor misunderstanding has often taken place which relatively counts less and comparatively increased the interfaith movement. Some examples are:

a. Nepal Interfaith Movement

With the help of Sakriya Sewa Samaj located at Thapathali 6 years ago this Movement has been helping to raise awareness about HIV AIDS to all the religious leaders. 

b. National Interfaith Network Violence Against Women

STEP Nepal has taken a great initiative to stop any sort of violence against women in Nepal.

c. Interfaith Council Nepal

For the last 7 years this council has been pressurizing government and various political parties with the help of religious leaders for peaceful settlement in the country. 

Similarly, Sai Sewa Samiti, Art Of Living, Satya Prem Pariwar, Prajapati Brahma Kumari, Ramkrishna Mission, Gandhian Organization, are working praiseworthily. 

Although only a tiny country on the world map since 1950 after Rana was overthrown Nepal reached to the outer world, and the outer world increased its program and projects inside the country. Some of the religious, non-religious and interfaith programs now taking place in the country are as follows: 

a. Religions for Peace Nepal (RfP-Nepal):

This New York, US based organization has a long history which may be the first international interfaith organization working in the country for peace. 

b. Universal Peace Federation (UPF):

Rev Sanmyang Moon is the founder of this organization and has been conducting wonderful work in the country. 

c. Global Network of Religions for Children (GNRC):

Based on a book “Learning To Live Together” (LTLT), this organization aims to promote ethics in education. It also marks Day of Prayer and Action for Children on November 20th each year. Hindu Vidyapeeth-Nepal, Shanti Sewa Ashram and Youth Society for Peace are some of the leading organizations working to promote ethics in education in Nepal. 

d. United Religions Initiative (URI):

This organization is flourishing in more than 100 countries for the promotion of peace through various activities. In Nepal Youth Society for Peace (YSP) has been working as a cooperation circle for the promotion of peace. 

Some critical questions raised by current politics of Nepal:

a. Do we want a country or ethnic state? 

b. Do we promote the class struggle on the basis of ethnic group or by understanding?

c. No matter where we reside or which religion we follow some examples like Maghi helps us to unite not to divide.

d. We think about advanced scientific technology but talk about ethnic groups.

e. Ethnic groups may migrate but hills, mountains and rivers are stable, so, the names of the places should be better kept based on nature and culture along with history rather than ethnic groups. 

f. Is development just identifying the problems or making a plan and formulating, monitoring and evaluating policies? 

g. Should illiterate and backward people be given equal opportunities or just rights? 

h. Should we embrace all as we are turning into a global village or should we battle for class division?

i. Is it the time to talk about consistency and co-existence or dialectic materialism?  

j. Can we preserve nationality when we destroy national culture? 

k. Are we just talking about secularism or atheism?      

l. Can we preserve any other languages when we are terminating Sanskrit language? 

m. What could be the conspiracy for declaring Federalism and secularism in Nepal without a plan?

n. What is Hindu extremism? Can we talk about extremism when we accept polytheism,, reincarnation and multi faith within Hinduism. 

o. Can secularism cover Dhammam Saranam Gachhami as well? 

p. Who wants secularism? Is it the public, political leaders or foreigners? 

q. Can secularism protect the indigenous culture?

r. Are we trying to introduce secularism like that of India? 

s. What if national culture also becomes secular? What if people starts to kill cows in the name of cultural secularism? 

t. Polytheism, Reincarnation, multi-scriptures, multi-rituals, multi-philosophy, multi-policy is what we Nepalese have been accepting. Is it not enough to prove independence and freedom of religion? 

The current solution of the problems 

There could be many solutions but the important thing to bear in mind is positive thinking and appreciative inquiry for one’s own religion and respects other religion multiplying the nationalism in deed.   

a. Let us respect all cultures without forgetting our own roots. 

b. Let us respect all the mother tongues without forgetting our national language. 

c. Let us be united and think about the national need rather than a personal or group’s need. 

d. Let us respect all the ethnic groups without hindering nationalism. 

e. It is the vote that counts in democracy but voters need to be well trained and educated. 

f. Political leaders are raising issues to end class, but they are dividing us into various classes. 

g. Prevention is better than cure so let’s be conscious about duty rather than rights. 

h. Is there a difference between an indigenous group and an ethnic group? 

i. Let us not forget that the concept of ethnicity was created by the slavery of the British Empire in India. 

j. Ethnic groups do not remain in the same place. 

k. Poor and backward groups / communities should get an opportunity, but how? 

l. Are we accepting all the grants by donors so that we can divide ourselves into Arya and Anarya? 

m. To raise the standard of the poor does not mean to kill all the rich people. 

n. Human history shows expansionists were the enemy, but now each ethnic group is becoming the enemy. 

o. We fought to stop foreign invasion but are now fighting to make new borders within border.  

p. If we could have understood Buddha and Gorakhnath then we would not have to start a silent war of dialectic materialism.  

q. The poor are taught how to use gun and slogans but not the development of skill and positive attitude. 

r. Class struggle may divide the unbreakable relationship of Hindu and Buddhist in Nepal. 

s. Are missionaries working with a slogan of human rights fair and just? Are they multiplying Christianity in Nepal with vested interest? 

t. In fact we need Sangham Saranam Gacchami, not federalism and ethnic division. 

u. Indigenous worship of nature and theory of worshipping nature is in Veda.    

v. A nation may not have religion but of course it needs to have an identification and prestigious history. 

w. Hinduism embraces all the religions and respects all at the same time. 

x. Nepal is an open museum for the study of society and culture. 

Conclusion 

We need a clear, deeper understanding among all the religions. To have peace and better understanding we need courage to have a boundless study of all the religions and embrace any religion and religious point of view respecting our own. Let us correct ourselves and the way we look at situation, because until and unless we are able to ignore the things we will find differences. Peace is an utmost factor for all round development of a person, community, nation and a country.  So, let us have a humble dialogue among different religions and reach a conclusion as Mahatma Gandhi said - ‘There is no way to Peace; Peace is the way.’  

Chintamani Yogi

Founding Principal   – Hindu Vidyapeeth-Nepal

Founder chairperson– Shanti Sewa Ashram

Senior member        – Matri Bhoomi Sevak Sangh

Secretary                 – Badri Bikram Sewa Guthi

Patron   – Youth Society for Peace

Founder   – Society for Value Education

Advisor   – Gorakchhyanath Sewa Sangh

Chairperson – Nepal Antar Dharmik Abhiyan

Coordinator  – Global Network of Religion for Children