The Role of Religion in Conflict Transformation

Amma's address
"The Role of Religion in Conflict Transformation," which
She gave at the Millennium World Peace Summit of
Religious & Spiritual Leaders at the United Nations General
Assembly in New York City,
29th August 2000.

Salutations to all gathered here, who are verily the embodiments of love and
the Supreme Self.

We have stepped into the new

millennium with great hopes and
expectations of change. But though
the numbers denoting the year are
different, essentially nothing else has
changed. The real change must
happen within us. For only when
conflict and negativity are removed
from within can we play a truly
constructive role in establishing
peace. With the goal of peace in
mind, the invaluable efforts of the
United Nations to bring nations
together, thereby creating peace and
harmony, merit heartfelt praise.
The very words 'nation' and 'religion'
imply division and diversity. This
diversity may seem to create
obstacles in fostering peace,
happiness and prosperity in the world.
Yet, in reality, it is this diversity that
brings richness and beauty to the
world and to human life-just as a
bouquet made of flowers of a variety
of colors is more beautiful than a
bouquet of flowers that are exactly the
same.

There is one Truth that shines through

all of creation. Rivers and mountains,
plants and animals, the sun, the moon
and the stars, you and I - all are
expressions of this one Reality. It is by
assimilating this truth in our lives, and
thus gaining a deeper understanding,
that we can discover the inherent
beauty in this diversity. When we work
together as a global family, not merely
belonging to a particular race, religion
No one is an isolated island; we are
or nation, peace and happiness will
all links in the great chain of life.
once again prevail on this earth which
Just as the right hand reaches out to
is drenched with the tears of division
aid the left hand when it is injured, the
and conflict.
ability to feel the sufferings of all
beings as our own, and an intense
As I travel around the world, people
yearning to comfort them, should
come to me and share their sorrows.
awaken within us.
Some have told me that a husband,
wife, or child had been killed in a
We are living in an era in which
religious clash. Sometimes it was a
science and modern communication
fight between Hindus and Muslims,
have turned the world into one small
other times between Hindus and
community, reducing the barriers of
Christians or between Christians and
time and space.
Muslims. It's so painful to hear. The
reason for the fighting is that people
The latest developments in the field of
are not going into the depth of their
telecommunications keep us informed
religion. Our ties to a religion, society,
instantaneously of events occurring in
or country should not make us forget
any part of the world. Events in one
our basic human values.
part of the globe affect the entire
planet to a greater or lesser extent.
Although the world has become closer
through technology, we have not
drawn closer in our hearts.

For example, members of a family,

though physically close, are often like
isolated islands. Today, we are
capable of destroying the earth in an Today we are aware of the need to
instant. protect our environment, and this, of
course, is essential. Yet, we are
But we also have the innate capacity seldom concerned with the pollution
to create heaven on earth. The future that negative thoughts and actions
of humanity depends on the choice create in the atmosphere and in the
we make. consciousness of humanity. The inner
pollution of the mind is in many ways
Societies and nations are comprised more lethal than chemical pollution,
of individuals. If we look back through for it has the power to destroy
history, we can see that all conflicts humanity at any time. We therefore
originate from conflict within the need to purify our mental
individual. Where lies the origin of environment.
conflict? It is the lack of awareness of
our true nature, the one living power Though the founders of all religions
within us, of which we are all a part. realized and practiced the noblest
The role of spirituality, true religion, is ideals in their lives, many followers
to awaken this awareness and to help have failed to live up to them. Instead
us develop such qualities as love, of focusing on the essence of
empathy, tolerance, patience and religious principles of love and
humility. compassion, we focus on the external
rituals and traditions, which vary from
Religion is the science of the mind. religion to religion. That is how these
Today we are able to air-condition the religions, which were originally meant
external world, but we have yet to to foster peace and a sense of unity
learn how to air-condition the mind. among us, became instrumental in
We are trying to clone human beings, spreading war and conflict. This does
but we do not attempt to create within not negate the importance of religious
ourselves a perfect, loving and disciplines and traditions. Indeed, they
peaceful human being. An important have their own significance. They are
role of religion is this purification necessary for our spiritual
process. development. But we must remember,
these traditions are the means to the
goal and not the goal itself.

Suppose a person has to cross a river

by boat. Upon reaching the other
shore, he has to leave the boat and
move onward. If he insists on clinging
to the boat, his progress will be
hampered. Similarly, we have to give
more importance to the goal of
religion and not be overly attached to
the means. We should remember that
religion is meant for humanity, and not
humanity for religion.

To solve the complex and

controversial issues such as religious
freedom, conversion, and fanaticism,
the religious leaders must come
together in dialogue with open hearts
in order to arrive at mutually accept the noble ideals of any
acceptable, practical solutions. religion.
Tomorrow's world will be shaped by
However, for such discussions to be today's children. In their tender minds,
fruitful, we must first plant the seeds it is easy to cultivate universal human
of love, peace and patience within values. If you walk through a field of
ourselves. To achieve lasting peace, soft, green grass a few times, you will
we must strive to rid ourselves of quickly make a path, whereas, it takes
hatred and hostility. The key to world countless trips to forge a trail on a
peace is within every individual rocky hillside. The teaching of
residing on this planet. Just as each universal spiritual principles and
member of a household shares the human values should be a standard
responsibility of safeguarding the part of the general education, not only
home, each one of us shares the the responsibility of the family. This
responsibility of world peace. should not be delayed any further, for
if there is delay, the future
The leaders of three religions-A, B generations will be lost to the world.
and C-decided to convene a meeting
to bring about peace. God was so
pleased with their efforts that he sent
an angel to them during the meeting.
The angel asked the leaders what
they wished. The leader of religion A
said, "Religion B is responsible for all
the problems. So please wipe them
off the face of the earth!" The leader
of religion B said, "Religion A is the
cause of all our troubles. You have to
reduce them to ashes!" By now the
angel was disappointed. The angel
turned expectantly to the leader of
Religion C. With an expression of
grave humility, C's leader said,
"I wish nothing for myself. It will be
enough if you merely grant the
prayers of my two colleagues!"

Peace is not just the absence of war

and conflict; it goes well beyond that.
Peace must be fostered within the
individual, within the family and within
We cannot lose sight of the essential
society. Simply transferring the
needs of people, for until these needs
world's nuclear weapons to a museum
are met, it is impossible for anyone to
will not in itself bring about world
aspire to higher states of awareness
peace. The nuclear weapons of the
and understanding. If, in any part of
mind must first be eliminated.
the world, people are dying of hunger
or suffering in poverty, it is a matter of
All the great religions have infinite
shame for all nations. Based on the
wisdom and beauty to share. Instead
religious ideal of universal
of trying to increase the number of
brotherhood, all nations that are in a
followers, religions should create an
position to help should share their
environment in which one may wisely
material wealth and resources. There Let us focus on what we can give to
is enough for the survival of all living others-not on what we can get for
beings on this earth, yet not enough ourselves. Only then, can we bring
to satisfy the greed of a few. about a total transformation in our
global family. Thus, by living the
Lending a helping hand to a neglected ideals of religion, we transcend our
soul, feeding the hungry, a narrow-mindedness, and our lives will
compassionate smile towards the sad become offerings to the world.
and dejected-this is the real language
of religion. We should invoke God's The following are some of the globally
compassion in our own hearts and recognized problem areas in which
hands. Living only for oneself is not the UN should strengthen their efforts:
life, but death.
1) In God's creation, men and women
Some may say that the world will are equal. But over the centuries, the
remain the same no matter how hard sad condition of women has not
we try to change it. Striving for world significantly improved. Women, who
peace is as useless as trying to give birth to humankind, should be
straighten a dog's curly tail. However assured an equal role in society.
much one may try to straighten it, the
tail will immediately curl back. Yet, 2) Millions of people are suffering from
through constant effort, we will build AIDS, which continues to spread like
our muscles even if the tail doesn't wildfire. This disease must be brought
become straight. In the same way, under control.
regardless of whether we fail or
succeed in bringing about world 3) Let the UN lead the transformation
peace, we, ourselves, will change for from a world of conflict to one of
the better. Even if there is no visible peace by training a group of youth in
change, the change in us will community service. These young
eventually effect change in the world. emissaries, serving selflessly
Furthermore, whatever harmony throughout the world, will inspire
exists in the world today is a result of people to cultivate universal spiritual
such a force. We must learn from the and human values. What cannot be
past, or we will repeat our mistakes. achieved through bloodshed can be
Those who have harmed others in the achieved through love.
past should now engage in positive
actions to uplift the victims of their 4) Terrorism and violence against
past oppression. These principles human beings in the name of any
apply to governments as well as to religion should be condemned at the
individuals. international level and the appropriate
strong action should be taken.
Each nation should foster an
atmosphere of forgiveness, openness, Love is the only medicine that can
friendship, trust, help and support to heal the wounds of the world. Just as
heal old wounds. In order to heal the the body needs food to grow, the soul
wounds, broken relationships should needs love to unfold. Love is more
be stitched with the thread of love. For nourishing than breast milk is for a
this, more than intellectual knowledge, baby. Love is the very foundation,
we should have awareness about our beauty and fulfilment of life. Where
oneness. love exists, there cannot be conflict of
any kind; peace alone will reign.
 May the light of love and peace shine within our hearts.

Let us all become messengers of universal peace, illuminating the hearts of

everyone, dispelling the darkness of hatred and conflict that has overshadowed
today's world.

Let us all awaken to a new tomorrow, filled with universal love and brotherhood.

Is this not the goal and dream of the United Nations? May the Supreme Power
bestow grace upon us that we may realize this noble prayer.

Om Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavanthu

Om Shantih Shantih Shantih

Nothing Official. This PDF version is created by a devotee on AMMA’s 55th Birthday.