The whole human civilisation is edging towards destruction. Scores of countries are engaged in bloodbath. Against wishes of the whole world, the US attacked Iraq, destroying over one per cent of its population.

Tranquility, even in peaceful nations, is eroding. Even United Nations Security Council could not stop the US from attacking Iraq. Demonising a ruler and his alleged possession of weapons of mass destruction was the biggest lie of this decade. Inspecting teams sent to Iraq could not find any trace of these weapons.

Scores of conferences and the United Nations General Assembly discussions for peaceful co-existence and harmonious relations have been going on but all in vain. It is like a western monologue. Eastern way of harmonisation of civilisations and living togetherness has no place in this monologue.

For over a decade a book written by P. Huntington Clashes of Civilisations dominated the thought process regarding this phenomenon. In other words those voices, which are part of the problem and not part of solution, are trying to do the same.

What is going on in Middle-East is also termed as civilisational clash between Christians and Muslims though the Christians do not concede it, Muslim world does.

The eastern ethos of civilisational thinking is very much in existence and playing its role. In India there are many religions in its usual meaning of the word. They understand that dharma is duty which holds the society together. There is no clashes. They respect each other's religion. They are not inimical. This is polytheism in practice.

In Japan more than 80 per cent people said they were Santo and 70 per cent said they were Buddhists. The data itself speaks that polytheism is practiced in Japan also. In many eastern civilisations including China we find such polytheism but practically they have no voice either in the debate on clash of civilizations or the harmonious living togetherness. Semitic religions like Islam and Christianity are handicapped to handle this problem.

Three years ago some NRIs in the US dwelled into this subject. There was a small but very useful three-day brain storming session in Ahmedabad. It resulted in the launch of a trust called Global Foundation for Civilisational Harmony (GFCH). There is wide spread cynicism among journalists and thinkers that high sounding moral and ethical speeches don't result in any action. They are not wrong, as usually it so happens. I have picked up this piece of comment from whisperings of thinking journalists.

The endeavour of GFCH team was to call all the representative leaders of different religions. Shradheya Swami Dayananda Saraswathi presided over the function. Among the personalities present, APJ Abdul Kalam and Lama were the chief guests. Ramdev, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Sikh Guru Jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti, Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Mumbai, authorised jew Rabbi Ezekiel Issac Malkear and Mahmood Asad Madani, chief of historic Deoband Islamic Institute, were on the dais. Mata Amritanandmayi, too, was eager to join but could not do so. It was important for her to be present to bless the launch and it would have been her first appearance in such a gathering. Sawmi Pragyanmitrananda read her blessings.

Swami Mitrananda represented Chinmaya Mission. Paramhansa Nityananda came all the way from California to attend the function Jain Muni Sumermal read the message from Mahapragyaji, the highly respected Jain saint. Former Prime Minister of Japan Schinzo too was approached and he was willing to come also but time adjustment could not be done. His video message was shown.

One can imagine the ambience of packed Chinmaya Mission hall. Devouring pearls of wisdom in a mesmerising atmosphere, the anchor described the situation stating that hundreds of persons sitting in the hall were eligible and deserved to be on the dais.

The proceedings started with chanting of the verses composed by Swami Parmacharya. This verse was sung in the League of Nations' celebrations by one of the greatest singer MS Subbalakshmi. The function ended with recitation of shanti mantra.

The launch of GFCH is not like many of its kind. Swami Ramdev said that if political parties can run Governments in many countries on the basis of CMP why can't religious leaders come out with a CMP from all religions for global harmonious living togetherness. Is it not possible for spiritual leaders of various religions to leave out contentious issues and chalk out a programme bringing harmony for the mankind?

The launch function shows the constructive approach of GFCH work and the organisation's thinking that is initially directional, ultimately leading to desired destination.

Courtesy: www.dailypioneer.com, February 03, 2008