Acharya Tulsi
As is the difference between civilization and culture, so is the difference between worship and religion. Several attitudes of man alike food habits, living, dress, customs, festivals etc., are comprised in civilization. Manners of dealing these attitudes have their exclusive feature. For this, the word of culture may be used- Religion is that part of human-culture which orients his intimate life.
In religious point of view, a man worships God in the temple. Someone performs Namaj in the mosque, someone prays in church. Someone reads the text of Granth-Sahib in Gurudwara, someone goes on pilgrimage, someone reads the text of Geeta-Ramayan and some listens to the preaching of any sage. These can be told as mode of worship and can be regarded as ritualism or it can be given the shape of religious tradition. But these are not the basic ingredients of religion. The religion which meaningfully transforms the man into religious is the basic concept of religion.
Why man becomes religious? There may be various replies to this question. Because all people do not step forward to religious direction on the same motivation. Multifarious motives and rituals have partitioned religion. In fact religion is a universal and enteral concept. What is the justification to bind it within the boundaries of time and place?
Man’s faith is clutched with religion. But when he recognizes the feelings of community the form of religion, and regards it everything, various types of problems emerge. Feeling of community is not meaningless. It has also its own utility. But because of its utility, it can dethrone religion. Religion is always above the feeling. If the person worships his religion with this concept, he can conceive the ornamentation of the same.
Why man should be religious? If we think on this issue comprehensively, some points come out which may be useful for each person. Following are some of the points:
- Purity of life.
- Realisation of pleasure, devoid of material-pleasure.
- Habit to live a life devoid of reaction.
- Goal to live life full of the moments free from anger and jealousy.
If a man becomes religious motivated by these goals, he may live such a religious life without being puzzled by religious rituals that will acquaint him with his own identity, realize his status and lead him to his ultimate destination.
