INSIDE CHINA - A SOCIAL EXPLOSION WAITING TO HAPPEN

INSIDE CHINA - A SOCIAL EXPLOSION WAITING TO HAPPEN

The Chinese Nation, in certain respects, epitomizes and symbolizes the limits of Human Potential and Achievement. It is the commitment made by the approximately 1.40 billion strong nation, it’s hunger for the ultimate achievement, it’s strong, earnest and unifocussed desire to become the numero uno, to be the leader of the world in almost each and every field, which fills all of us with awe and sets an example, which all of us at least dream to realize. But there only, the dream vanishes. All the explosive growth and development taking place in the ‘Middle Kingdom’ is at the cost of Human Freedom, The Rights and Dignity of Human Expression, The Choice to Take a Different stand than that of the Establishment, etc   And it is a flaw of the highest order, which is going to prove very costly for the Communist-Capitalist-Millitarist ‘Pragmatic yet Confused’ Mass Nation State, in the not so distant future.

China, the land of the Hans, these days is receiving grand accolades, from a variety of cross-section of people ranging from media experts and academic luminaries to foreign diplomats and political leaders of various hues. Indeed, what it has been achieving in the last 25 to 30 or so years is unprecedented in Human History. So many people transforming themselves into such heights in such a short span of time at such a rapid speed is undoubtedly a feat which is not merely ‘Historic’ but something that creates epochs and transforms ages. If we see China 20-25 years down the line, at this pace, it is bound to  out develop United States of America and Become the number one economy in the World, a feat which brings lot of cheers but at the same time certain level of apprehensions to the minds of most people.  

The country is today the manufacturing hub of the world, it’s infrastructure is making even some of the richer nations envious, in short it’s economic clout is growing by leaps and bounds, waiting for that auspicious day when it would wear the crown. Historically a Communist State since 1949, the Country has of late followed a more ‘pragmatic’ liberalized, capitalist-like   Economic Policy which has made it a de-facto Economic Superpower, however retained the Communist Party Dictatorship form of Authoritarianist Rule.

The County’s meteoric economic rise is completely lopsided in the sense it is not matched with corresponding increase in the freedom which is ought to be granted to it’s people in the form of Free Press, Multi Party Political System, Freedom to Practice Religion (Any Religion for that matter as the Country is officially atheist) etc. This creates a serious discrepancy, a dichotomy which can have very serious repercussions.

The serious ‘Policy of Repression’ which the establishment has been pursuing there, is a matter of utmost concern and seriousness and something which is bound to annihiliate itself but will also create disturbances, disruptions and destructions for the national structure, material and psyche.

The events surrounding the Tiannean Square were only a fore event, a signal of much more serious things which are going to happen in the not so distant future. Human Beings have a limit to tolerate, to bear oppression. Their patience is not infinite. It is bound to run out. This would be all the more true when the Chinese people see progressiveness and liberalism all around the Developed World and would surely not want their nation to be an isle in this ocean. The rising economic divide between Urban and Rural AND between the Rich and the Poor populations may add further fuel to the social unrest.

I foresee a Major Rebellion in China within the next 30 years. This could take the shape of a constructive Revolution, or as is more likely it could be a massive socio-political unrest which could democraticize and disintegrate China and at the same time dwindle it’s power and influence to a very big extent.

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HINDUISM, JAINISM AND BUDDHISM – THE THREE FOUNTAINHEADS OF FUNDAMENTAL INDIAN SPIRITUAL WISDOM – THEIR MUTUAL LINKS AND COMPARISON

HINDUISM, JAINISM AND BUDDHISM – THE THREE FOUNTAINHEADS OF FUNDAMENTAL INDIAN SPIRITUAL WISDOM – THEIR MUTUAL LINKS AND COMPARISON

India, the land of mystic speculations and the birthplace of profound philosophies, is particularly enriched and livened by three Major Religio-Spirituo-Philosophical traditions, namely Hinduism (Formerly alternatively known as The Vedic Religion or The Brahminical Religion or sometimes simply as The Sanatan Dharma {Or The Eternal Religion, owing to the remoteness in antiquity of it’s origin}), Jainism-The Religion of Ascetism, Austerities and Penance AND Buddhism, the largest Religion of Eastern and South East Asian Regions today. All three of them originated in India but created separate destinies for themselves. While Hinduism, the original Major Religious Current of the Indian Subcontinent, remained confined to this country, but it is the largest of the three religions today in terms of number of adherents. The Other two religious Movements, Jainism and Buddhism could not challenge Hinduism for long. Whereas Buddhism almost got extinct in the country of it’s origin within 1500-1600 years of it’s birth, Jainism was always there but confined to a few regions and among few people.

Hinduism, is undisputedly, called the Mother of all Indian Religions (Here, by Indian Religions is meant only those Religions which originated in India, and not those which came here from Foreign Lands. Definitely the religions in the Latter Case, and their religionists are as much ‘Indians’ today as anybody else). In it’s early years Hinduism gave birth to Many Philosophies, sects, cults, etc. One Significant event in the churning process that took place in the 6^th Century BC in a Certain Region of Northern India (The Regions now occupied by Modern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Nepal) was the birth and development of two Strong, Distinguished and Potent Religio-Philosophical Movements - Jainism and Buddhism. These two religions rejected the authority of the Vedas and hence were banished from the Hindu Fold.  However in the Pluralist-Liberal-All Encompassing India, these Religions were hardly ever Persecuted or even looked down upon.

The three Religions differed on certain important aspects of Philosophy, Ethics, Rituals, Societal Norms as they ought to be, etc. However all three Religions shared a Common Belief in Rebirth and The Karma Theory (The Eternal Law of Cause and Effect). Hinduism believes in a strong Soul and Strongest God (Brahman), Jainism negates the existence of God but believes in a very strong Soul, while Buddhism is the Middle Path Between Nihilism and Selfism, and believes not in exactly in a soul but in certain ‘Changing Entity’ which takes Birth Again and again.

While Jainism Prescribes complete Austerities, Penance and abstinence for it’s Followers ; Buddhism is for the Middle path Between Sensualities of Charvak and Austerities of the Jains.

THE COMMON THREAD AND THE MESSAGE IMPORT-:

All the three Religions essentially stand for social harmony. They teach concern for ‘the other’. They profess and practice high reverence for life, even for the smallest forms. If I were to define each of the three Religions in one word each and then infer the link between the three, I would state something like this -:

Hinduism predominantly emphasizes Love (Prema) for all beings, Jainism sums up it’s Philosophy and ethics in the Practice of Non-Violence (Ahimsa) while Buddhism Centers around developing the Quality of Compassion (Karuna). Now – When Compassion has fully developed and established in the Mind, only then one can Practice Complete Non Violence for all Beings, and By practicing Non Violence Day and Night, the person starts loving everything and everyone.

Thus wee see the three Religions are serially linked. And it’s not as if one states something by excluding other things, it’s only the case of Differences in Emphasis.

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MY THOUGHTS ON THE AYODHYA VERDICT ON IT'S EVE

MY THOUGHTS ON THE ‘THE AYODHYA VERDICT’ ON IT’S EVE

  I see the clock in my room, it shows 10.10 PM. Means another less than 17 hours remaining for the THE BIG BIG VERDICT, - The Ayodhya Verdict, for which the people have waited for the last 60 years. The entire Nation, crores and crores of people, cutting across economic classes and religio-cultural groupings are eagerly and impatiently awaiting this decision to be delivered by The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court at 3.30 PM tomorrow that is 30^th September, 2010 the Thursday.

The Entire Movement surrounding Ayodhya - the demand by the Hindus for the liberation of the birth place of Lord Rama, from the construction of a Mosque made arguably on the commands of the Mughal Emperor – Babar somewhere in 1526 AD, is clear and vivid in my memory and in the memories of many a people of my age group and my seniors. The emotions it evoked among the devout and zealot Hindus, in the late 80s and early 90s, many times, almost bordered on Fanaticism, and being enforced with elements of Fundamentalism and strong anti-Muslim hatred. Whatever justification the Sangh Parivar and other elements of the Saffron Brotherhood may give for this aggressive movement which culminated in the demolition of the Babri Mosque, but the fact remains that it was the single largest Mobilisation of the Hindus for Hinduism, and this Communal Storm created serious problems for India as a whole, and in particular the relations between the Hindus and the Muslims got seriously strained.

THE ANALYSIS -:  Long Before the Demolition and the controversy, the Babri structure was a unique religious spot. It was a functioning temple housed in the structure of a mosque. The Idols of Lord Rama existed inside the Mosque and puja was performed there. To use IT savy language, It was the Software of a Temple housed inside the Hardware of a Mosque. No namaz was being read inside and long back it was also known as Masjid-E-Janmsthan (The Mosque of the Birthplace (of Lord Rama)). Thus it symbolized the Unique Hindu-Islamic syncretic form of worship. It is this fact which the High Court must keep in serious consideration.

WHAT THE VERDICT OUGHT TO BE LIKE (AND POSSIBLY IT WILL BE LIKE THIS) -: Hindus have a claim over this spot of land, for as a matter of faith, it is the Birthplace of Lord Rama, the Hindu God of epitome of Idealism. Certain Archaelogical works and other clues hint at this. However Muslims have a claim over this spot, which is as strong, if not stronger than that of Hindus’. It is not clearly proved whether a temple existed there about approx 500 years ago or not, but certainly there was a mosque for so many years. The Court must restore the pre-1992 status there, it can do these-:

1)      Build a Mosque like structure which would house Lord Rama idols and Hindus would have the right to do puja there. Certain level of Muslim Ownership would be allowed, like they can say prayers on some special occasions.

2)      Build both Mosque and Temple, but with a little bit favour towards Muslims, like the Mosque can be built at the exact spot where it stood and temple can come up a little away.

3)      This small little preference to Muslims, because they have suffered in the entire episode and Hindu organizations have acted against them with aggression, thus with a sense of retribution. We got to see the picture in it’s totality.

4)      Basically the New Construction should reflect the Syncretic Hindu-Muslim, Ganga-Jamuna Tehzeeb (Culture), the heritage of Nothern India.

5)      Or it can be any other solution, but the basic intent should be that both Hindu Mahasabha and Sunni Wakf Board are given joint ownership of the land and then they decide how to go about it, but basically it should satisfy both, reclaim the Muslim Mosque and restore the Hindu Devotion on the Birthplace of Lord Rama. Indeed, Lord Rama, Maryada Purushottam, would be the happiest if HE SEES THE MARRIAGE OF HINDUISM AND ISLAM TAKING PLACE ON HIS BIRTPLACE.

(WRITTEN BY NISHKARSH PANDEY BETWEEN 10.10 PM AND 11.15 PM ON 29^TH SEPTEMBER 2010)

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