In response to No aversion to conversion  by Sandeep Heble

How about conversion to humane behaviour?

Pravin Sabnis

Sandip Heble says, ”Many Hindus revere Buddha, and if they consider Buddha as an avatar of Vishnu, it is largely the tolerance of Hinduism and not a "blot".

How do you explain the near disappearance of Buddhism from India (widespread during Emperor Ashoka's time)?

You see, the Buddhists were "tolerant" and "non-violent" while the promoters of Hinduism were not.

Move around the country to see many a mosque built in place of an existing temple. Move further back into history and see many a temple built on the graveyard of an existing Stupa!

Sadly for some of us, history is not an opportunity for "learning"... instead it is an occasion for "burning".

So Manoharpur (beautiful place) becomes the cremation ground for two little children and a man who did not mind "staining" his hands whilst serving the lepers (condemned by the so-called "tolerant" samaj as "sinners")!!

There can be no justification for attacks on humanity by Laden, Dara or any terrorist who uses the cloak of religion to camouflage his dangerous game plan. In fact, if Indians and India have been by and large, plural and tolerant in approach it is  despite the violent invasions by Aryans, Muslims or Christians on the minds and beings of the natives. Our people chose to sift the good and bad. Our food, our dress, our music, our dance, our architecture has become richer.

Incidentally the Buddhists texts refer to the Buddha as an enlightened man, never as God; forget about this business of an avatar!

As regards conversions, many friends of mine (me included) are on a mission to convert our brothers and sisters towards rational thinking, scientific temper and humane behavior. So, what? .
 

Pravin Sabnis
July 12, 2002

*courtesy Navhind Times, Goa, India: Cybervoices*

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