THE LAND OF EASTERN RELIGIONS - BIHAR AND THE CONCEPTS WHICH INFLUENCED THE WORLD PEACE

THE LAND OF EASTERN RELIGIONS - BIHAR AND THE CONCEPTS WHICH INFLUENCED THE WORLD PEACE

ANAND M. SHARAN

PREFACE

Religion has had a very important role to play in human lives. Today, it is being used in both the constructive and destructive ways. The examples of the first one are the food and other kinds of aid, opening of medical centres, shelters for destitutes, orphans, and many other humanitarian works which cannot be even enumerated. On the other hand, the killings in Northern Ireland, Yugoslavia, Armenia, Middle East, Pakistan and India are also going on, in the name of religion. It is a very sensitive issue in the western countries, as much as it is in the eastern countries because the separation of the church and the state took place, not too far back in the history of Europe. The dominant role of religion in the under developed countries is well known.

I have always had faith that a true religion, it does not matter which one it is, has only a positive role in the society. The killings and the sufferings amongst the mankind is due to the ajnana (lack of true knowledge). Swami Vivekananda once said which means, in simple words, that if one has to learn, one should learn spirituality from the Hinduism, service from the Christianity and equality from Islam. In this day and age what is needed is the broadening of our own visions. It is we who have tunnel vision; the absolute Truth (broader vision) was revealed to the Masters of different religions. The problem is with our interpretation of the Truth. We would be living in a much better world, if we follow Shankaracharya who saw Brahmana in everything and called this world a mithya (unreal); if we perform selfless service without the expectations of the fruits of action as mentioned in the Gita or an equivalent statement in the Bible; and if we extend the concept of equality beyond those who appear to be believing in our own religion, because if we are the children of God, we will be His children no matter what we believe in i.e., even those who believe that God does not exist.

The presentation here, is my understanding of various religions and I do not claim any credit for anything new here. These religions have existed for thousands and thousands of years and have been discussed in many books on these religions. The readers will find after reading this book that these are the human actions and thinking which are the determining factors in our peaceful existence and not, whether there is God or not. The Truth lies in our identification with everything around us.

Finally, I would like to thank Ms. Yvonne Raymond for typing the manuscript.

Anand Mohan Sharan

Introduction

Hinduism

Jainism

Buddhism

Sikhism

THE MAHABHARATA WAR

WORLD'S TALLEST STUPA FOUND

VAKRA MOTION OF PLANETS

INDUS SCRIPT ON THE WALL OF SANTHAL'S HOUSES IN BIHAR, INDIA

THE EXISTENCE OF IRON IN THE VEDAS, MAHABHARATA,AND RAMAYANA- BACK TO THE HARAPPAN CIVILIZATION