Om dyau shanti rantarikshagwang,
Shanti prithiwi, Shanti raph
Shanti roshadhayah Shantihi,
Vanaspatayah Shantir Vishwedevah
Shantir Brahman
Shanti sarvag-wang, Shanti Shanti reva
Shanti sa ma, Shanti redhi,
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti Om.
[Unto the heavens be peace, unto the the sky and earth be peace. Peace be unto the waters; unto the herbs and the trees be peace. There is harmony in the celestial objects and perfection in eternal knowledge. Everything in the universe be at peace and let peace pervade everywhere. Unto all may there be peace.
May there be peace, Peace, Peace.
Your majesty and distinguished guests it is a great honour to share in a collective prayer for peace, with those of other faiths, at this inaugural ceremony. The reaffirmation of our collective commitment to pluralism and greater friendships, is deeply comforting. The Shanti Path I have recited, is spoken at the end of all Hindu prayer ceremonies and at the end of any auspicious Hindu occasion or celebration. This practise implies that peace should be the ultimate aspiration for all Hindus.
Vedic Pluralism defines a way of life that celebrates diversity and recognises the potential for growth and cohesion through all aspects of social and spiritual life.
“ SARVA DHARMA SAMAN ” : Respect and value the diversity, of a multitude of paths to self realisation and the creator, mediated through the principles of Dharma. This is a foundational tenant of the Vedas. Karma (the casual effects of action) manifests itself, within the framework of Dharma and demands that interdependency is always accounted for as a social reality. Thus, Dharma frames and facilitates the development of both our social and spiritual being and has to be respected and valued. Dharma does not refer only to religion, it implies the performance of duties and righteous conduct in all aspects and spheres of our lives.
Hindu or Vedic pluralism opens up a variety of perceptions and approaches to God realisation. Pluralism is NOT polytheism. One of the greatest misconceptions about Hinduism is that it is a polytheistic (belief in many Gods) or a henotheistic religion (hierarchy of gods). Pluralism is NOT a new religion which incorporates appropriate bits of all religions. Pluralism is NOT relativism which suggests that there is no absolute, hence almost anything is allowed. Pluralism is an acceptance and a valuing of the diversity of self determined paths to self realisation, mediated through Dharma towards universal truth.
Hindu religious expression and its philosophical value system encompasses respect for all beings and faiths, and has a cultural heritage that facilitates community cohesion and coexistence. Hindu Forum of Britain, as representative body of Hindus in the UK, is committed to building a compassionate, disciplined and performance driven cohesive British society. We have therefore adopted the last Shloka Or Verse from the Rig Veda as our official Mantra. This Mantra calls for all humanity to work together, sing together and be of one mind and purpose. Today's collective prayers demonstrate that the spirit of Unity contained within the HFB Mantra, is as relevant and maybe even more important today, than when it was written, 4 or 5 thousand years ago. I thank you all for this very special opportunity. Namaste.
