Bahudhâ and the post-9/11 world

Abstract

In the post 9/11 world, there is an imperative need to formulate a public policy of harmony that would meet the demands of different peoples and societies. This calls for a certain degree of attitudinal change. Salient in this context is the Bahudha philosophy, which has its origins in the Rig Veda. Bahudha helps us understand another persons point of view about life and religion, science and spirituality, politics and economy, with tolerance and respect. It also calls for-and that is significant-inculcation of a habit in which one person thinks that the other person's point of view may be right. This thought process has found powerful expression at different periods of India's long civilisational history in writings of philosophers and religious reformers, in work of arts and poetry, and in day-to-day social living. The approach has bloomed in other civilizations too. Today, in the age of terrorism and an unsafe world, there is a fresh need to understand the core meaning of our religions, to reshape our education system and to strengthen the UN in a manner that helps us build a better future.