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One religion

A spiritual discourse on religious unity and the causes of human suffering.

"One day we must do something... Our Yoga in Daily Life is also planning a beautiful project for war victims, especially soldiers who were injured and are now disabled."

"In God's heart, there is no difference... No religion exists there; only one religion exists, which is called humanity."

Swami Maheshwarananda (Vishwaguruji) addresses a gathering, reflecting on the immense suffering caused by 20th-century wars and ongoing conflicts. He identifies religious and cultural divisions as a primary cause of this suffering and passionately argues for a universal religion of humanity that transcends all sectarian boundaries. He critiques religious fanaticism and political manipulation, urging listeners to free themselves from dogmatic chains and recognize the singular, non-commercial divinity present in all faiths, concluding with a devotional song.

Recording location: Australia, Canberra, Australian Tour

Last century saw many wars, including two world wars. Even after the world wars, an estimated 30 to 40 million children died in smaller conflicts and civil wars. Can you imagine 30 to 40 million children? So many young soldiers and young people died as well. Can you imagine so many mothers—30 to 40 million mothers—suffering, crying, and also dying? It means billions of people perished. Even after the declaration that the Second World War ended, conflict continues. One day we must do something. I am a very small worker, but there are many others—politicians, some retired, some former ambassadors—all working together. Our Yoga in Daily Life is also planning a beautiful project for war victims, especially soldiers who were injured and are now disabled. Their psychic condition is very bad. Particularly in places like Central Europe and the countries of the former Yugoslavia, they have thousands upon thousands of young, wounded soldiers who are suffering immensely. So, thanks to God, and as they say, knock on wood, we are healthy and happy. But there are millions of people suffering in the world. Not because they lack food or clothes—no, no. They have everything. They suffer because of political fighting and the wars that are still going on. Why? Because we create differences based on race, culture, and religion. These differences are the most terrible. In the last decade, there have been quite a few conferences with the spiritual, political, and religious leaders of this world. Religion is a very difficult point; it is such an inner, conflicted feeling. Many of you are sitting here. You are not all Hindus; you are from different religions. You may still have a deep feeling inside: "My God, I am sitting in a Hindu temple. He is talking according to Hinduism; what about my religion? I don't believe like this; my religion is different." This feeling is so deep in our subconscious, planted so deeply that we cannot pull out those thoughts, those roots. The difference is in religion. In God's heart, there is no difference. In the divine kingdom of God, there are no differences. No religion exists there; only one religion exists, which is called humanity. God loves this religion—humanity. We have to create that kind of love. So, it does not matter if you are in an āshram, a Śiva temple, a Gaṇeśa temple, or a Viṣṇu temple. It does not matter if you are in a Catholic church, a Protestant church, with the Bhagavad Gītā, in a Buddhist temple, a mosque, or a synagogue—anywhere. God is God, my dear. Think this: God is God; this is not different. Why do you make differences in religion? That is the cause of all suffering and problems. Some politicians, for the sake of their own selfishness and power, misuse the innocent beliefs and emotions of people and pull them to the side of their parties. So, it does not matter which religion you belong to or believe in. Please, take this chain off and say, "I belong to all religions. I love all kinds of God." Do not be pulled like a dog on a chain, this way and that. That fanaticism is how humans are pulled from side to side. This is the main duty I have given myself in the world: to give people that kind of clarity, that freedom of religion. People are emotionally paralyzed inside because of religion. "My God, God will not forgive me; I made my commitment to that God; I will not go to heaven; He will punish me," and so on. No. Have you seen heaven? You cannot see heaven. You can only see heaven after death; without dying you cannot see heaven. And I do not want you to die—live long. There is no heaven and there is no hell; everything is here with you, just as you are now. Did you speak directly with God and hear Him say, "If you go to another temple I will punish you"? No. That is commercial. God has no commercial interests. God does not want to have so many devotees; why would He want this? He is the Creator; if He wants, He can multiply many, many. If He wants, He can inhale it all. He has no desires. We say, "God, Thy will be done," but God has no will. What should He do with a will? God, Kṛṣṇa said in the Bhagavad Gītā, in the third chapter: "Arjuna, in the entire universe, there is nothing which I cannot realize or obtain. I need not do anything; all is available to me. But still I am acting and doing karma, my duties, because others will also do what I do." So God acts only for us. Your God is the best God, I tell you. And that best God is also my God. Finally, every child says, "My mother is the best mother." Every small child says, "My mummy is the best mummy." In kindergarten, in preschool—which mother is not a good mother? Every child says, "My mother is the best mother." So every mother is the best mother, and if you have any problems, you go to your mother and the problem will be solved. In the same way, every God is the best God. There is no such thing as a semi-God. Some say this is a semi-God, some say that is a big God, but these are stupid ideas. Again, they make differences in God also—the poor God. I am so sorry for Him. When I see Him, I always say, "Don't worry, we will learn something, don't worry." God is always so sad whenever I see Him. He is so sad. He says, "What are you all doing down there?" I said, "Well, we are trying to do better, don't worry, forget it." He is a merciful one. He is one, neither higher nor lower. He is equal. Equal vision is everywhere. Sam-drashti hai nām tyāro. Chāhe to pār karo Prabhujī mere. Av guṇa chitta na dharo. God is known as the equal-vision one. If He wants, He can liberate us. So religious freedom is very, very important. Everyone has the freedom to believe what they want to believe. I do not tell you to believe now in Jesus, or to believe in Buddha, or to believe in Mohammed, or to believe in Gaṇeśa, or to believe nothing. It is your belief; it is not my problem. I only want to give you the message that in the name of religion, do not close yourself inside. You will be so happy, so happy. Open your heart for all. Recording location: Australia, Canberra, Australian Tour

This text is transcribed and grammar corrected by AI. If in doubt, what was actually said in the recording, use the transcript to double click the desired cue. This will position the recording in most cases just before the sentence is uttered.

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