Religion and Culture in the New Millennium

1. There have been many changes and revisions in our religious beliefs and values. As we approach the new Millennium, do you think our interpretation, beliefs and values of God and His message are correct?

Hinduism is more correctly known as Sanatan Dharma. Sanatan means "eternal, timeless." Therefore, inherent in its very name is the fact that the beliefs, values, and teachings do not become obsolete or outmoded with each new generation or even with each new millennium.

The basic core beliefs of Hinduism – and this does not necessarily pertain to the specific, dogmatic interpretations – are forever true. Our rishis and saints were given the "ultimate truths." They were not given just the "answers for today." The teachings of the vedas, the basic, fundamental values of Sanatan dharma are as true today as when they were inscribed by our rishis.

No one stops and wonders whether we should "rethink" the Pythagorean theorem, whether perhaps today a2 + b2 no longer equals c2. No one asks whether Einstein's theory of relativity should be re-evaluated for the new millennium. When something is universally true, it just is.

However, while the core beliefs and teachings are timeless, some of the practices, traditions and interpretations must remain flexible and dynamic, not only according to time, but according to place and context. We must not box up Hinduism and try to pass it on untouched from generation to generation, for when the box is opened it will be incomprehensible to the youth of the new generation. Rather, we must take these timeless truths and yet teach them in new ways; we must take these ancient values, but implement them in new ways. Then, Sanatan dharma will be not only eternal in a stagnant way, but it will be eternally dynamic and thriving.

2. What, according your interpretation, is the true message of the Almighty?

God's message is simple: come to me. All other teachings, all other injunctions and messages lead to this. Our scriptures say, "Only those actions are good actions that are done to please God. The only true commitment of a soul is to lovingly establish his heart and mind in God immediately." Yes, of course, there are other instructions given in the scriptures, for example, speak truth, follow dharma, read sacred texts, serve humanity, etc. However, if one truly comes to God and surrenders at His holy feet, then everything else follows. If our minds are filled with love for Him, then we don't need a rule telling us to read the scriptures. We want to. If we have surrendered to Him and offered our lives to Him, then we don't have to remind ourselves to do seva or to serve our guests. It will come naturally, because we will see Him in everyone.

So, the most basic message, the purest distillation of all other messages is, "come to me. Surrender to me. I am yours." Everything else follows from that.

3. How has the Hindu religion evolved in this Millennium? And who were the main personalities who have contributed to modern day Hinduism?

During the second millennium, Hinduism has evolved in many ways. For one, it has become socially active. The service of others has become a fundamental aspect of our dharma. Also, the youth are becoming more conscious and aware and spiritual. Slowly, slowly, we see that it is the youth who are attending katha, the youth who are organizing the functions, the youth who are coming together in associations like the Hindu Students Council in USA and the National Hindu Student Council in UK. This is true both within India as well as abroad, and it is a very auspicious sign for the future.

It is impossible to enumerate those saints who have contributed to modern day Hinduism. There are so many. However, let me list a few crucial, divine saints without whom Hinduism would not be where it is today: Guru Nanak Devji, Guru Govind Singh, Ramakrishna Paramhansa, Swami Vivekananda, Mahatma Gandhi, Sri Aurobindo, and Swami Dayanand Saraswati. Now, in modern times, we are being led by such great saints as Pujya Sant Morari Bapu, Pujya Sant Rameshbhai Oza, Satya Sai Baba, and H.H. Pramukh Swami Maharaj. Through the guidance of these great saints, Hinduism and Indian culture will not only survive, but will thrive in the coming millennium.

4. Who, in your opinion, is the single greatest personality of the last Millennium, who has had a profound impact on our religious, political and social beliefs? ( Who is your Man of the Millennium and why?)

Mahatma Gandhiji was certainly the saint of the century, if not of the millennium. He had not only the vision of a more perfect world, but he had the courage to fully embrace these ideals. He both understood what India needed as well as he had the dedication to stand steadfast in the face of criticism and dissent.

Gandhiji's vision was of a world in which there was no high and no low, no better and no worse. He fought to bring equality to all members of society regardless of the "caste" into which they were born. However, his was not only a socio-political revolution. It was also a spiritual revolution, for he knew that "Sarvodaya" ("the prosperity of all") could only be achieved through the purity and piety of society.

So many people come and go in this world. So many people become famous through valiant efforts to "make a name for themselves." Yet, how many of these people have really left lasting impressions or have really changed the course of history? Very few. When we depart this Earth, when we leave our bodies, what remains is only that which we have given to the world, that for which we have sacrificed. Gandhiji's name will live eternally not only because he brought independence to India. He will be remembered forever and revered forever because of the way he brought peace, because of the message of his life.

An important point, though, is that Gandhi would not have wanted to be only remembered in history books. He would not want to be remembered only as the politician who led India to independence. He would want his message to live on. In fact, when someone once asked him for a message, he replied, "my life is my message." So, as we remember this Mahatma, this "great soul," let us take his message to heart. Let us live our lives as a sacrifice to world peace, as a sacrifice to our principles and as a sacrifice to God.

5. Do you envisage a new personality, who will mould our thoughts, emerging in the next Millennium? Do you believe Lord Krishna's prophecy in the Gita will be fulfilled in the next Millennium that an Avatar will descend on this Earth? 'Sambhavami Yuge Yuge'

The answer to this is two parts. The first part is, yes. Definitely. Our world is currently verging on crisis, and just as loving parents rush to the rescue of their children, so does God descend on Earth when His children are in trouble. Yet, the second part is that we must not wait. We must not remain idle and think, "well, when Lord Krishna comes back, or when God incarnates then it will all be okay." We must take the darshan of the avatars who have lived and who are living. We must sit in front of deities of Lord Krishna, Lord Ram, Lord Shiva – any form of God you want. We must go see holy saints and listen to katha. These are all forms of avatars, and they all have the power to save us.

God should not have to put on a physical form and descend with bow and arrow in hand or with flute in hand or with four arms in order for us to take the message. The message has been given. Lord Ram gave the message, Buddha gave the message, Lord Mahavir gave the message, Guru Nanak Devji gave the message, Lord Krishna gave the message. We must simply close our eyes or visit our temples and have the darshan of these divine incarnations. Then we can receive the message again today.

6. Over the last Millennium which event or instance has had the most adverse affect on religion as a whole?

It seems to me that television – in the way it is currently used – has had the most adverse affect. Through television, our world sees – on a daily basis – the glorification of violence, decadence, commercialism and rebellion. Our world is becoming more violent every day. Every day more and more children slip from the hands of their parents into a world of alcohol, drugs and hedonism. Much of the impetus for this comes from what they see portrayed in television and in movies. Such things become so commonplace that our youth lose their power of discrimination; they lose the ability to say, "this is real and this is unreal."

Additionally, they have done numerous scientific, psychological studies in which it is proven that immediately after watching violence on TV, children act more violently toward each other and they play in more violent ways than children who watched a non-violent show or who watched no television at all. And we wonder about the increase of violence in our schools! We must take the messages of these studies seriously. Science is not doing this research merely for its own benefit. They are giving us an important lesson.

Television is not inherently harmful. It could theoretically be used to spread great wisdom, great inspiration and great knowledge. However, the media must realize their role in what is happening to our world. Those in charge of program planning must take greater responsibility for what they broadcast. I know that "violence sells and sex sells." However, those who make choices based on what "sells," must realize that money comes and goes but morality comes and grows. They should produce shows that bring morality instead, shows that teach not how to hate, how to fight, how to be decadent and rebellious, but shows that teach how to live, how to love, how to be in peace not in pieces and how to be better not bitter.

7. Do you think our moral values as Asians living in the West are deteriorating? If so what should be done to uphold our culture and values?

The West is having different effects on the moral values of Asians. On the one hand, the West has a great deal to offer. It teaches us to respect cleanliness and sanitation. It teaches us how to conduct ourselves professionally. It teaches us how to offer our hands in organized volunteer work. So, on that hand, the West is helping to raise some of the moral values of Asians.

However, on the other hand, the influence of the West is causing a dire erosion of Indian sanskaras and ethics. Most fundamentally the West emphasizes material gain, material prosperity, competition, decadence and superficial beauty. It de-values spiritual prosperity, prayer, humility, cooperation, reverence for elders, restraint. So, in this way, especially our youth are being indoctrinated into a Western system which encourages them to forsake the timeless wisdom of their culture for the acceptance of their peers. This is tragic.

What should be done? That is a long question. But, the gist is that parents must give their children sanskaras. This can only take place in the home. Have aarti every day in the home. Eat dinner together. Pray before you eat. Read Gita together instead of turning on the TV. Children do what they see. If we give them family values, give them sanskaras, give them the precious treasures of their culture, they will not be tempted by the influences of Western culture. I saw a beautiful quotation in America. It was by the Sheriff's department and it said, "spend time with your children now so I won't have to later."

8. As we approach the new Millennium, what key tenets of our religion should we hold upper most in our minds?

All of them. Each tenet is a scripture within itself and yet they are inextricably woven together. How can you say that ahimsaa is more or less important than vegetarianism? Are they not part and parcel of each other? How can we say that it is more or less important to do seva than to do japa and meditation? Are they not essentially the same thing? If you engage in meditation and the chanting of God's name you will inevitably be led to doing seva. And by doing His divine work, His name will automatically come to you. How can we say that openness to all religions is more or less important than love for one's neighbor? Are these not simply two sides of the same coin? So, they are all important. If it is winter and you are cold, but you are wrapped in a warm blanket, you can not say, "this strand is the most important strand in the blanket. This strand I can do without." No. If you remove one strand, the entire blanket will quickly unravel.

However, if I had to take one tenet, I would say "ahmisaa," for from this one tenet much of our teachings flow. Ahimsaa towards not other creatures, but toward the environment, and towards ourselves and our families. Ahimsaa of not only action, but of word and thought.

9. What changes do you envisage in the next Millennium? ( from a religious and social point of view)

The world will become more harmonious, more peaceful. It has to. There is no alternative. Most importantly, the world will become more spiritual. The world will realize that true happiness in life is not found in the accumulation of material possessions, and humanity will turn to spirituality for the answers.

Hinduism has a great deal to offer in this emerging world vision. The questions and dilemmas faced by the world today are answered in our ancient scriptures. We must make these truths, this wisdom available not only to Indians, not only to Hindus, but to all of humanity which is in such dire need of guidance and direction.

10. What are your hopes and aspirations for the new Millennium?

I have no hopes or aspirations. Whatever God wants is what will happen. Dreams, wishes, hopes are relatively futile, for it is only His will which manifests. However, by His grace, our world will become more harmonious and all peoples will embrace each other in peace and in love. And I pray, "may all be happy, may all be healthy, may all be cultured and enlightened, and may all attain peace and protection."