Sky in high

Taoism developed in the vast lands of China. ``Tao’ literally means ` The way’. Sometimes it means the way of natural life, sometimes it means the way of self-restraint and some time it means the discreet way of life. Tao believed that ideas are superficial, and then what is deeper and real? They are deeds. He was very right. We may have very lofty ideas but they are of no avail until our deeds are good and lofty. He rightly believed that learning is our artificial dress which hides our real self. Our real self is what we actually do. Our deeds are our real self.

The representative –book of Taoism is ``Tao-Te-Ching’’. It is the essence of Taoism. It was written by Lao-tse. Lao-tse literally means the old master. His ideas were very original. Lao-tse believed that the life of a man could be fully fruitful only if he submitted to Taoism and led a natural life. Artificial life breeds artificiality. Natural rules ensure our maximum development. He preached simple living and shunning selfishness. He believed that inventions were making our lives artificial and complex. They hampered man’s physical and natural liberty. Mans was moving away from nature. It added too his woes. Nature gives us health, beauty and knowledge.

Taoism is very clear about God. God enlightens the universe. God has covered the entire universe as clothes cover the bodies. God is one whom we cannot hear cannot touch. He is the supreme ruler. Nothing happens without his will.

According to Taoism, the difference in the world is artificial. The second important religious leader of Taoism was Chang Chao. He explained the principles of Taoism in detail. In his view there is no difference between good and evil, true and false, big and small, high and low, rich and poor, young and life and death. Basically they are the same. The visible difference in them is only outer and artificial. Treating them differently creates all the conflict in the world. So long as the sense of difference remains, human beings cannot get real liberty and peace. So we should extend our vision.

According to Taoism, when we sleep our soul is awake. The soul is conscious. It neither sleeps nor dies. It is immortal. When we are awake the body becomes free. Man works freely. It means that Taoism considers man free in his actions. Lao- tse preached that man should keep away from luxury and prosperity. The more we indulge in luxury and prosperity, the father we are from nature and purity. He laid stress on leading a pure life. He advocated retuning good for evil. Goodness is the basic emotion of man according to him. Nobody, therefore, can feel happy by not being good. We can help others by being good to tem. Taoism is a very old religion of China. Its followers believed in hard penance. It appears to have been influenced by the Indian yoga system.

Lao-tse is considered to be one of the founders of the great religions of the world.

temple

What is true religion? This question is too complex and complicated. It defies an easy definition. But it is good to learn the essentials of all religions. Even this is not that easy. However, it is enough to know that all religions teach us about God. We are all created by God. God has blessed us with this beautiful and wonderful nature and everything in it. We have to enjoy the gifts of god. At the same time, we have to be grateful to god, who is all loving and merciful. We have to love him, obey him and worship Him. We have to know about Him. Religion teaches us about God. Religion is something like a connection link, a bridge between man and god.

But surprisingly there are so many religions in this world. They are various and different. They are called differently. Each of these religions has separate practices and customs. But whatever be the religion, whatever the practices, all them teach us to reach God. We have to follow the religious practices particular to our religion. Our holy books teach us about our religion. In the same way other holy books teach us about their respective religions. The bible tells us about Christianity. The Vedas tell us about Hindu religion. The Koran teaches Islam. We have to study our holy books, and learn about religion. Then we have to follow the principles of our religion and try to reach God.

But we have to bear in mind that different religions are like different roads leading to the same goal that is God. So, we should not hate other religions. We should not belittle or speak ill of them. We should be learnt of them. We should respect them. We should even try to understand them. Because, after all, all religions is teach the same thing. The essential teachings of all religions in this world are the same. For instance, every religion teaches us love, and mercy. No religion teaches us to hate others. We are told to do well. So, we have to understand this essential spirit of religions and practice our religion without hating other religions. Such communal harmony and tolerance keep us united and peaceful. It is our sacred duty to preserve this unity and peace of the world.

Again, every religion has its own place of worship. If Hindus pray in a temple,

Muslims pray in masque, Christians worship in a church. All these places of worship are equality holy. No one is lesser or greater than the other. Just as we respect other religions, we have to respect other places of worship also. Just as we have utmost regard for our religious customs and practices, we have to show equal regard for others. This is the true spirit of religion. Every one of us has kept it up.

If every one of us exhibits such attitude towards religion, we can make our world a better place to live in. we will be free from religious disturbances and the world lives in peace and happiness.

Jesus

It was a tedious day for Jesus. He told his disciples, ``come, let us go to a desert place and take some rest’’. When they went, people traced them and followed them. Jesus was moved with compassion for the people as they were like sheep without a shepherd. He taught them about the kingdom of God from where he came. Jesus told them that heaven is a beautiful place. ``if you turn away from your sinful ways ask god to forgive you, he will take you to heaven’’, Said Jesus. People were amazed at his teaching. They were astonished at the miracles he performed.

The sun was about to set. Jesus’ disciples told him, ``master, send this crowed back home. It is getting dark. The people are hungry and they won’t get any food here for it is a desert. Besides, if we have to go and buy food for them, we need a lot of money is a desert. Besides, if we have t go and buy food for them, we need a lot of money. ``then Jesus told them ``you give them something to eat’’. Then they said, ``we have nothing with us. But there is a small boy who has five loaves of bread and two fish. But that has nothing to do with these many people’’.

Children, just like you, also were among those who followed

Jesus. One of them was a small boy who had brought five loaves of bread and two fish. His mother might have packed and given him for his Tiffin. Jesus told his disciples, `bring the bead and fish here’. Immediately, the little boy gave his packet willingly. He did not hide it. As a result that was multiplied and that boy was blessed too. Jesus told his disciples, ``make the people sit down in rows’’.

Jesus then took the bread and fish in his hand, he raised it words heaven, gave thanks to his father. He broke it and gave to his disciples. And Jesus told them to distribute the bread and fish among the crowd. And alas! That food got multiplied and multiplied before their eyes! There were more than five thousand people. All of them ate stomach full and twelve basketfuls were left over which they took home.

Is not it a great miracle? Aren’t you surprised? It was not a magic. Jesus was holy and without any sin. Though he walked on this earth as a man he could do many miracles through the power of God. Jesus said that those who believe in him also can do the same miracles he has done. Today many ordinary people who have faith in

Jesus is doing such miracles that Jesus did –like raising dead to life, opening the blind eye and deaf ear, making the lame walk and dumb speak. Through the power of God, they are able to do miracles and wonders.

Main points

• Jesus’ heart was moved with compassion for the people. You too should have a kind compassionate heart. Do not be rude to others.
• Giving is a good quality. It is the nature of God. You should not be selfish. You should generously give to others. Then God will multiply and give you back in greater measure. Remember that God loves a cheerful giver.

It is in the olden part of the city of Amritsar that the holiest of the Sikh shrines exists. The copper plates on the temple dome placed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1802 have led to its unique appearance as a gurudwara. And this also to its name as the Golden Temple.  It is otherwise known as the Har Mandir Sahib by the locals.This design has been copied by other Gurudwaras in the country and even abroad.

The shrine is open to members of all religions and communities and you can visit it every day. The Guru Granth Sahib or the original version of the holy book of the Sikhs which serves as their Guru is kept in this temple.  It is one of the destinations that any religious Sikh person would want to visit once in their lives. You could call it the Mecca of Sikhism.

Unfortunately not all was holy about the Golden Temple some time back. The Golden Temple was stormed by the police and army in 1984 to flush out militants who had hidden inside the temple complex. The Khalisthan movement which caused terrorism in Punjab was at its peak at that time. This was what sowed the seed for Operation Bluestar. Now that these days are over, it is possible for us to travel to Amritsar and visit the temple.

You can take a dip in the Amrit Sarovar which is the body of water around the Golden Temple. It is considered holy water by the Sikhs. Then take the traditional circle around the temple. This is called the parikrama and must be done from the left side. After that visit the main temple and see the museum inside as well. Naturally the Guru ka langar is a sight worth seeing. The food is considered prasad and its a mass feeding in which you can offer to help cook. Quite an interesting outing and a deeply religious one for the Sikhs.