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While
the world is shrinking, the distance between the hearts is widening
gradually. Since middle of the last century people have been witnessing a
steady decline in ethical values and are seized by an inexplicable
insecurity. The only way to
get rid of gloom and fear psychosis and derive some amount of solace is to
depend on the grace of the Divine. People
have come to feel that upholding the moral principles contained in various
religions is the way to live peacefully.
The role of religion hence seems paramount in the present day
conflicts.
Endurance
of a Religion
This
gives rise to a number of other questions.
Is a religion popular because it is true, or is it true because it
is popular? Did people embrace a religion because it is true, or did a
religion disappear because it was not true? When we ponder over these
questions, it becomes apparent that the endurance of a movement, or the
validity of the views on which that movement is based cannot be judged by
the number of its adherents.
In our own lifetime we have seen how Gandhism appealed to thousands
of people who were prepared to fast, court imprisonment or die at his
direction. We also see the votaries of Gandhism gradually dwindling in
numbers now.
A consideration of all these factors leads one to the inevitable
conclusion that a religion does not flourish merely on account of the
truth it proclaims.
The
key to the growth of a religion lies in the cause for its subsequent
decay.
Buddha
himself, when admitting women to his order of bhikkus, foresaw the
inherent danger of having both men and women in the order. The decline of
Buddhism was, therefore, due to the failure of its adherents, particularly
those who have to set an example for others, to rigorously adhere to the
precepts of that religion, Conversely, a religion will continue to
flourish if it can claim among its adherents, particularly those who, by
their personal example, are charged with the propagation and preservation
of that religion, men of high spiritual attainments, with a large heart
and without any blemish in their character.
While its high souled founder gives the initial impetus to any religion
and it’s connected institution, its subsequent strength and popularity
depend on the fervor, devotion, discipline and purity of succeeding
religious heads, and the fidelity and character of its followers.
Common
people are drawn to a religion by the personality of the teacher, rather
than by a firm conviction of the truth it teaches. The truth or otherwise
of a religion is a matter of academic discussion, confined to the
intelligent few. The
reason why some religions, though they had a long history, gradually and
inevitably lost their hold on the people, and eventually disappeared, can
be traced to the decline in the standards of teachers. In his own
lifetime, Gandhiji had to close down the Sabarmati Ashram, when he found
that its inmates deviated from the strict rectitude he had imposed on
them.
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