Essence of Religion

 
                                     Essence of Religion

Once there was an international conference on ' Religion ' was going on in the outskirts of a city. All reputed scholars representing different religions from all over the world were participating. During the lunch hour, enjoying their food in the open garden, the scholars were thrashing out the minute details of their religion to one another trying to assert the superiority the superiority of their religion. At a short distance from there there was an old well and green fields wete nearby. A low voice was coming from the well ' please help me, is some one there ?'
Though the scholars heard a mild cry, they were so busy in their discussion they ignored it. A farmer was crossing by that side with a bundle on his head. He did not even look at the scholars there, but concentrated on the mild voice calling for help. He looked around and came near the well. He looked into the well and saw a man struggling to come out. The farmer put his bundle down, took out a long rope from it. He dropped  the rope into the well and pulled out the man from it. Seeing this, all the scholars immediately rushed towards the farmer with their cameras and asked him as to which religion he belonged. Every one was eager to know his religion. The farmer replied , " I do not know any religion. I do farming and earn my livelihood. My parents taught me to be contented  in life and help others in need. So I love Nature, my work and doing service to others with love and devotion."

Religion did not create man, but man created religion. The greatest impulse in a man's life is his love for Freedom from miseries ,or the longing for the Infinite and inner joy. Man pursued his inner urge and found out the goal and the world named the path as religion.
It is interesting to note how the same urge and hankering in all parts of the world finds different channels of expression or takes to different paths to reach the ultimate destination. Again it is an interesting factor to note that all religions and their founders preach the same qualities of human spirit
such as  love and compassion, patience, tolerance, forgiveness, contentment, a sense pf responsibility, a sense of harmony which bring happiness to both self and others. It is the followers who distort the principles  out of ignorance, selfishness, greed for power exploit the society in the name of religion. In fact, spirituality is the soul of religion. Once it is missed, all quarrels are always over the husks only.
This story clearly illustrates that an individual can develop such qualities without recourse to any religious belief. In fact, a man's inner resources are so rich that can provide the ability to rise above everyday experience. Under the circumstances, doctrinal imperatives  become unnecessary.
All beings are from the same creator or Same power of Nature. So it is rightly said,
Human beings are members of a whole,
In creation of one essence and soul,
If one member is afflicted with pain,
other members uneasy will remain,
If you have no sympathy for human pain,
the name of human you can't retain.
This is the essence of religion.