Religious Plurality in India

image source: 

Stephanie. salaska2571.jpg. June 2011. Pics4Learning. 

19 Feb 2013 

In order to wrap my brain around the concept of religious plurality in India, I've been reading different books about religion. One of my favorites is Diana Eck's Encountering God. I mentioned this is an earlier post. 

I'm also reading Huston Smith's The World's Religions, Revised and Updated. Actually, I "read" this many years ago as an undergrad. I was way too young to really appreciate this book. 

I'm enjoying it now!

Smith discusses many aspects of many religions, including Hinduism.  He states that in Hinduism, there is not just one path to (multiple) God(s); it's acceptable to most Hindus that alternate religions offer alternate paths to God. He uses the phrase, "many paths to the same summit", which describes very nicely the concept of religious diversity, and hopefully, plurality . In his analogy, he compares the paths to God to mountain climbing. People will climb a mountain from many different sides; when you reach the summit, you notice that all trails, all paths, converge. In other words, we all pray to the same God. 

There's so much more to read in order to gain a better understanding of religious pluralism. And you know what? I'm happy to climb this mountain.

If you have any suggestions for other books, please let me know. I want to hear from you.

Look inside yourself first

When I started to wonder about India's religions, I realized I can't just think in an objective, cerebral manner. As a matter of fact, I don't think anyone can rightfully think about religions without some degree of introspection.  

Last month I came across Diana L. Eck's Encountering God and borrowed a copy from the public library. This book captured my heart as well as my mind. I read every word and found so many surprises and confirmations.  I knew this was a good book because it passed the Bus Test: Any time I read a really good  book on the bus on my morning commute to work, I would miss my stop. :)

I'm now reading some other titles by Eck, including Darsan: seeing the divine image in India, and Banaras City of Light. So far I have not been disappointed. And yes, these two titles have already passed the Bus Test. 

2012 Update

     pic 2012 by me

     The past two years I've been on a journey of a different sort...I've been learning how to help my mother with her advanced cancer care. It's been a hellish ordeal. I wouldn't wish it on anyone, yet cancer happens to too many people everyday.     

     In order to care for my mother, I've had to give up two golden opportunities to visit India (summers 2010 and 2011). Now I'm happy to announce I have another chance to visit and study in India...I've been awarded my 2012 Fulbright-Hayes Scholarship (yes, they make you re-apply)...but due to budget cuts, applications could not be reviewed in a timely manner. Hence, the 2012 scholarships have been moved to July 2013. 

     And you know what? Everything will be okay. I've been through so much drama since June 2010 that this minor setback pales in comparison. The GOOD NEWS is that my mother's cancer is in remission, and that I have my 2013 Award in hand. 

Is this a bittersweet pill?

Perhaps.

More sweet than bitter, I think.

     I am blessed. This summer I now have time to rediscover my love of running in road races...and rediscover my faith in all things possible.

I also want to thank everyone for your continued prayers. Prayers are good. Prayers work.

When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.

- Alexander Graham Bell.