Varanasi: A three-day international conference on ‘Towards Interreligious understanding and Global Peace’ jointly organized by UNESCO Chair for Peace and Intercultural Understanding and Malaviya Centre for Peace Research, BHU in collaboration with United Religions Initiative (URI), USA began at Swatantrata Bhawan on Friday.
Addressing the conference, the BHU vice-chancellor Prof Rakesh Bhatnagar said, “From the theory of ‘genome’ and up to DNA we are one”. He emphasized that the root cause of all religious conflict stems from the healing of religious superiority over other religion. He said that he wishes to personally incorporate the outcome of the conference in his life.
Speaking on the occasion, the keynote speaker Prof. Rajen G. Harshe, former vice-chancellor of Allahabad Central University and President of G B Pant Social Science Institute talked about the oneness of all religious denomination and put humanity above all. Religion should ideally mind people together and he talked about the uniqueness of India as a civilizational entity and stability of social and spiritual order. He was underlining the fact that democracy is embedded in the heart and soul of India and Indian religion is governed by this democratic ideal of compassion, coexistence and plurality.
He further said that there is a sea of difference between the internal meaning of Dharma and religion. “We can learn a plethora of spiritual experience from the lives of Jesus Christ, Gautam Buddha, Kabir and Mahatma Gandhi,” he said elaborating his point from the Bhakti tradition of Medieval India. Drawing on this lineage and spiritual energy, Mahatma Gandhi could give freedom to struggle a spiritual touch.
Over the 400 participants from UN agencies, grass-root organizations, researcher and students, activist and faith leaders have participated in this international conference. The programme will conclude an Interfaith Walk at Sarnath for all the participants lead by Lama Doboom Tulku, Founder Managing Trustee of World Buddhist Culture Trust.
Theme of the programme was introduced by UNESCO Chair Professor Priyankar Upadhyaya and Guest of was honour by Prof. R. P Pathak, Dean, FSS, BHU vote of thanks was extended by Dr. Manoj Kumar Mishra, Coordinator and Ms Shubi Dhupar, Regional Coordinator, United Religions Initiative, USA.
