'Spiritual Hubris': We Cannot Simply Sit And Stare At Our Wounds Forever
By
Sumit Paul, New Age Islam
2 February
2024
Japanese
writer Haruki Murakami's famous quote, "But we cannot simply sit and
stare at our wounds forever" is extremely relevant in today's
worsening Hindu-Muslim equation.
Hindus are
sitting and staring at their perceived wounds, inflicted by the invaders more
than 500 years ago. Murakami further says that when you keep staring at your
wounds, you start seething with anger and angst.
"A
wounded civilization cannot afford to live in the past. Nor can and should it
demand justice after centuries," wrote V S Naipaul, who despite being a
rabid detractor of Islam, understood that digging the past and creating rancour
cannot help a race or civilization go any further. See how Japan has
progressed. The US obliterated Japan's two main cities Hiroshima and Nagasaki
during the Second World War in 1945. Yet, Japan bounced back and rebuilt not
only Hiroshima and Nagasaki but the whole country. It didn't choose to sit and
stare at its wounds. Nor did it keep on condemning the US for the annihilation
of its two cities.
One has to
learn to move on with life. You must understand the context and circumstances
of those times when the invaders were desecrating your temples. Your ancestors
were also destroying Jain and Buddhist temples. They (Buddhists/Jains) can also
have grievances. If everyone starts harbouring and nurturing grievances, where
and when will this end?
Hindus have
got their Ram Temple. Why are they insisting on usurping Gyanvapi mosque as
well? Agreed, Hindus and Muslims have been at loggerheads for centuries. But,
nothing can go forever. The embattled Hindus and Muslims should learn form Dr
Nelson Mandela, who said in his Presidential speech, "Prejudices of
centuries cannot go overnight. Whites will not hug blacks immediately. Blacks
will not forget what happened to them when the whites ruled. Bitterness will
remain. But that should never be so overwhelming as to threaten the peace and
equilibrium of a country that's on a way to rebuild itself."
Words of
wisdom from a wise man who forgave all those who treated him like an animal
during his incarceration of 27 years at Robben Island. Where's that kind of
maturity and sagacity? Masses as well as politicians are out to widen the gulf.
'Educated' Hindus must realize that all these Mandir-masjid conflicts are
religio-political issues. If your Ram and Krishna reside in every particle,
why're you so hell-bent upon 'retrieving' your 'lost' shrines? Let Muslims
offer Namaz.
At the
moment, followers of all religions are suffering from what's known as 'spiritual
hubris.' This is getting intensified because leaders at the helm are exploiting
the scenario. It's time for the Hindus and Muslims to be able to look at things
in perspective and move on. Remember Bulwer Lytton's words, "The
juggernaut of human civilization is often thwarted by religious and ethnic
issues. But the cavalcade goes on."
Let's hope,
the caravan of Indian civilization will go on, unfazed and unabated by these
temporary irritants.
----
A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul
is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He
has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several
languages including Persian.
URL: https://newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/spiritual-hubris-wounds-forever/d/131637
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