PEACE IN HINDUISM

PEACE IN DIFFERENT RELIGIONS ~ 116 ~ to which Mahatma Gandhi was a pacifist: “Gandhi was the first to interpret ahimsa positively and in the sense of a social obligation.” (13/847) TOLERANCE IS ONE OF THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF HINDUISM This concept of tolerance goes to the ultimate extent of encouraging belief in the truth of all religions. According to the Gita, each religious path leads towards the same destination: the truth. When Swami Vivekananda said, ‘Every religion is true,’ he correctly echoed Hindu belief. In Hinduism each religious tradition can be given equal recognition. Under the heading of ‘Hinduism’, the Encyclopaedia Britannica aptly states: “In principle, Hinduism incorporates all forms of belief and worship without necessitating the selection or elimination of any.” (8/888) This general concept of tolerance, in other words, instructs us to live in peace with others. One should not believe in adopting a violent manner towards anyone. Just as we regard ourselves to be right, we