Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Unity in Diversity

We live in a world that’s filled with a wondrous diversity of experiences, opinions, characters, cultures, religions, etc. But we are less likely to focus on our inherent similarities of our differences. We now need to find the characteristic which is common to us all. That is, we must learn to find “Unity within Diversity” – feeling united, we feel connected; and feeling connected gives us more trust in others, so our relationship may become true and honest.

Let us look rather at the beauty in diversity, the beauty of harmony, and learn a lesson from every impressive temple and beautiful garden. Angkor Wat, for example, was made of many different stones, yet each depends on the other to such an extent that if one were displaced the whole temple would suffer; if one is faulty the structure is imperfect. Similarly, behold a beautiful garden full of flowers, shrubs, and trees. Each flower has a different charm, a peculiar beauty, its own delicious perfume and beautiful colour. The trees too, how varied are they in size, in growth, in foliage – and what different fruits they bear! Yet all these flowers, shrubs and trees spring from the self-same earth, the same sun shines upon them and the same clouds give them rain.

Therefore, we should not mistrust other people who have different race, colour, outlook, culture or religion from ourselves and withdraw ourselves into the shell of conventionality, but rather be glad and show them kindness, whenever we meet them. Think of them as different coloured roses growing in the beautiful garden of humanity, and rejoice to be among them. Likewise, when we meet those whose opinions differ our own, do not turn away our face from them. All are seek truth, and there are many roads leading thereto. Truth has many aspects, but it remains always and forever one.

One of the first and foremost commons to us is: “we are the one human family”. We are dependent on each other in so many ways that we can no longer live in isolated communities and ignore what is happening outside those communities. We need to help each other when we have difficulties, and we must share the good fortune that we enjoy.

Last but not least, the future well-being of communities worldwide depends upon building a unity that celebrates the interdependence and rich diversity of our differences. We must learn to live and work together for common good – peace and happiness. Thus it is very helpful in developing a sense of brotherhood and sisterhood, a warm feeling to love and compassion for others. This, in return, is essential if we are to survive in this ever shrinking world we live in.

2 comments:

Random Blogger said...

great writing :-) anyway how are you doing?

Anonymous said...

Yes, this is a good one.

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The wonder of life fills me as I look to new horizons.