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DurgaPuja 2019
Sri Ramakrishna’s Belief in all Religions
Dr. Amitava Sanyal
Sri Ramakrishna (1836-1886) not only believed but also demonstrated the principle of Non-
duality, which teaches the unity of God, the individual soul, and cosmos, by testing them on
himself. Thus he practiced the spiritual disciplines of Hinduism, Islam and Christianity to know
for himself their validity.
Once Sri Ramakrishna was asked why he had followed so many paths; was not one path
enough by which to reach the supreme goal? His answer was: “The Mother is infinite – infinite
are her moods and aspects. I longed to realize her in all of them. And she revealed to me the
truth of many religions. I have found that it is the same God towards whom all are directing
their steps, along different paths.”
He illustrated this by explaining that a water source is the same but when Hindus draw the
water, they call it jal, and when Mohammedans draw same water they call it pani, and when
Christians draw the same water they call it water. The substance is one, and though the names
are different, everyone is seeking the same thing.
This message was broadcast to the world by Swami Vivekananda, disciple of Sri Ramakrishna,
at the World Parliament of Religions in 1893 in Chicago. The divinity of the soul, the oneness
of existence, the non-duality of the Godhead, and the harmony of religions were the recurring
themes of his message.
I sincerely pray and wish that the spiritual leaders of today, practicing different faiths,
understand this truth and terminate sectarianism, bigotry, and fanaticism and let the world
live in peace and harmony.
Central Ohio Bengali Cultural Association
Sri Ramakrishna’s Belief in all Religions
Dr. Amitava Sanyal
Sri Ramakrishna (1836-1886) not only believed but also demonstrated the principle of Non-
duality, which teaches the unity of God, the individual soul, and cosmos, by testing them on
himself. Thus he practiced the spiritual disciplines of Hinduism, Islam and Christianity to know
for himself their validity.
Once Sri Ramakrishna was asked why he had followed so many paths; was not one path
enough by which to reach the supreme goal? His answer was: “The Mother is infinite – infinite
are her moods and aspects. I longed to realize her in all of them. And she revealed to me the
truth of many religions. I have found that it is the same God towards whom all are directing
their steps, along different paths.”
He illustrated this by explaining that a water source is the same but when Hindus draw the
water, they call it jal, and when Mohammedans draw same water they call it pani, and when
Christians draw the same water they call it water. The substance is one, and though the names
are different, everyone is seeking the same thing.
This message was broadcast to the world by Swami Vivekananda, disciple of Sri Ramakrishna,
at the World Parliament of Religions in 1893 in Chicago. The divinity of the soul, the oneness
of existence, the non-duality of the Godhead, and the harmony of religions were the recurring
themes of his message.
I sincerely pray and wish that the spiritual leaders of today, practicing different faiths,
understand this truth and terminate sectarianism, bigotry, and fanaticism and let the world
live in peace and harmony.
Central Ohio Bengali Cultural Association
