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| Samani Prasanna Pragya | Samani Manan Pragya |
London Sevashram Sangh, a Hindu organisation for unity and peace, gave the inspiration to celebrate Om Day to create awareness for peace and human unity. Om day 2007 was celebrated on 3rd June 07, at Fulham town in central London. It was sponsored by Unity Forum of Indian religions in London.
Along with the representatives of various religions Samanis Prasanna and Manan Pragya were invited as representatives of Jain Dharma. The theme of this celebration was “Is Religion a source of conflict?”. Representatives of Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism, and Jainism expressed their views on the given topic according to their religious scriptures to the 150 attendants.
Keeping in mind the principle of Anekant that is multiplicity of viewpoints, Samani Prasanna Pragya said, from one point of view, religion is not a source of conflict, but from another point of view, it can be a source of conflict.
Samani Prasanna Pragyaji referred to Swami Vivekananda and Acharya Mahaprajna, when she said that spirituality is the soul of religion. When religion is governed by rituality only, it becomes a source of conflict. Without understanding the essence of religion, if only rituals are followed blindly, religion never can help to bring about change in emotions. To build value-based character, we need to integrate religion in day-to-day life. This means, religion should not only be followed in temples, but also in the market. When religion is governed by ritualism and sectarianism, it is a source of conflict.
When bloodshed, war, fight, and arguments take place, then definitely religion becomes a source of conflict.
The first priority should be given to spirituality. We should respect all approaches to spirituality in form of the various religions and sects.
After lecture, people approached Samani Prasanna Pragyaji and expressed their concernment and appreciation for creating awareness about spirituality.
The lectures were followed by a cultural program of 20 minutes for each religion. Samani Manan Pragyaji presented two spiritual songs on peace and humans unity.