We all want peace: peace of mind, peace in the family and community, between countries, peace with our environment. There is scarcely anyone who does not yearn for peace. But how many of us are prepared to pay the price of peace, love? We need to love each other; have compassion and be prepared to sacrifice for one another and work for togetherness and peace.
Love and peace will see all people united by the bonds of brotherhood, moving onward, forward, Godward. Godward, I say. For God and religion cannot and ought not to be kept out of this vision, even though people tend to discredit religion these days.
For it is not religion that has failed us, it is we who have failed religion. We only speak of religion, we do not bear witness to it in deeds of daily living, to the teachings of the great prophets. It is life that is needed, not words. You may recite prayers, chant hymns and sing songs of praise; you may read from the scriptures and frequent places of worship but if you do not imbibe at least some of the wisdom, are you any better than a tape recorder?
You may write wonderful commentaries on the Bhagavad Gita or any other world scriptures, but if you do not reflect the wisdom of these scriptures in word and action, how are you any better than a desktop printer? "Blessed are the peacemakers", said Jesus.
The world today needs peacemakers. A businessman came out of his office in a high-rise commercial centre and crossed the street to get into his saloon car. His chauffeur was holding the door open for him. The man was about to get in when his saw a little boy gazing wistfully at the gleaming automobile. Moved, the man said to the boy, "Would you like to come for a drive with me?"
The child's eyes lit up with excitement and he said: "Thank you sir! I would love nothing better!" And off they went, the man and the boy, seated comfortably at the rear and the chauffeur at the wheel, unable to believe what was happening.
"How much did this car cost?" the boy blurted out, his eyes wide open with wonder. "Er... I don't know", said the man, flushed with embarrassment. "You see, it was a gift from my older brother".
"How lucky you are to have such a brother!" exclaimed the boy. "Where would you like to go?" asked the man, after a while. "I'll get dropped home", said the boy eagerly. "We live close by, in a hutment near the station". Soon they reached the station.
The car stopped in front of the sprawling slum. The boy turned to the man eagerly and said, "Sir, could you wait here for just a few minutes?" The man nodded. The boy got down from the car and vanished into the slum.
But he was back in a few minutes and in his arms he carried a severely disabled child. "Look, Chhotu, look! This is the big beautiful car that sahib's bhaiya gifted him", the boy told the child. "I wish to be like that brother! Then I could buy you such a car when you grow up!"
The boy waved goodbye and the car moved away. Inside the plush car the rich businessman sat in stupefied silence.
At long last he said to the chauffeur, "He did not want a car like this for himself. He wanted to give it to his brother!" True love is selfless. And such love can bring about lasting peace.