'Sarva dharma sambhava', not 'Secularism' - I
Secularism' is an irrelevant copying of the European political technique. Let us look into our own tradition and proclaim proudly – 'Sarva dharma sambhava.'
By Tilak B. Shrestha, Ph.D.
Nepal should proclaim 'Sarva dharma sambhava', not 'secularism.' 'There are many spiritual ways' is our ancient ethos. 'Secularism' is an irrelevant copying of the European political technique. Thus, when we proudly proclaim Nepal a Hindu nation, it means we are proud of our heritage and culture, nothing more. And when we declare Nepal a 'secular' state, it means we want to dissociate from our very root, nothing less.
I am for democracy and also for our proud heritage. In this light let me express my opinion that to make Nepal a secular state away from our roots is a mistake and a regressive step towards our national identity.
The new constitution gets its mandate from people's movements of 1950, 1979, 1990, and especially of 2006. The revolutions basically dealt with issues like – a. source of political power, b. human rights, c. democracy, d. corruption, and e. economic stagnation. Therefore, the new constitution should reflect revolutionary ideals regarding these issues. On other issues the constitution gets mandate only through democratic process.
Secularism is basically a ceasefire between warring religious parties, not the tolerance or the end of hostility. European secularism is able to keep the religious strife on hold and evolve Europe along the rational behavior. Since Islamic societies have not gone through the renaissance, the religion is still a major factor there.
Religion was never an issue in Nepal. We do not have any history of religious persecution or discrimination. When the revolutions (1950, 1979, 1990, 2006) took place the issue of the religion was not even raised. Therefore, such drastic step of changing from a Hindu state to a secular state need – a. reason\justification and b. people's mandate.
Definition of democracy is the 'majority ruling, with minority's rights protected.' We need to protect minority's right unconditionally and we must adopt democratic process for such major and sensitive change. A constitution, which changes such status without some kind of democratic processes, either through referendum, or through elected representative; can't be acceptable.
The Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal, 1990, is very clear about non-discrimination on the basis of religion. "Article 11: Fundamental Rights" says:
(2) No discrimination shall be made against any citizen in the application of general laws on grounds of religion, race, sex, caste, tribe or ideological conviction or any of these.
(3) The State shall not discriminate among citizens on grounds of religion, race, sex, caste, tribe, or ideological conviction or any of these.
(4) No person shall, on the basis of caste, be discriminated against as untouchable, be denied access to any public place, or be deprived of the use of public utilities. Any contravention of this provision shall be punishable by law.
Is not the article on the 'Fundamental right' clear? Are there any other laws, which discriminate on the basis of religion? Nepal's parliamentary constitution is more or less based on the Indian constitution, which it self is based on the British constitution. The recent criticism of the 1990 constitution is about the residual power of the King, not non-secularism.
A theocratic or non-secular state will have the characteristics of – a. religion affecting governance, b. source of constitution being religious scripture, c. clergy allowed to assume political power, d. discrimination on the basis of religion, and e. source of political power being faith. The constitution of 1990 does not have any of these characteristics. Is there any Hindu scriptures quoted or considered in the constitution? So where is the role of religion in the Nepali constitution?
Traditionally, Hindus have King or 'Panchas' to make laws. Scriptures or clergy do not make laws. We do not have clergy. The traditional 'Panchayat', not to be confused with King Mahendra's, is the proto-democracy in action. In the modern time, the elected representatives supersede the King. It is a natural political evolution independent of the 'Dharma.' When 1990 constitution declares Nepal to be a 'Hindu' state, it merely underlines our culture and tradition. It does not make Nepal a theocratic state.
The concept of 'secularism' applies only to the Semitic religions not to the 'Hinduism.' Hinduism is a collection of 'Dharmas', not a religion. Semitic religions are about enforcing an exclusive belief system and an exclusive way of life, attempts at social engineering, and dividing humanity into believers and infidels\heathens. These religions are not about seeking truth or methods of spiritual practices, but about social discipline and aggressive conversions to the given ideologies. Each of the sects claims to know the only truth, and others to be evil. It invariably leads to interference of faith in politics and governance. It has led to long list of religious persecution\inquisition, and struggle for freedom from religious bigotry. It has led Europe and Muslim world to centuries of internal strife, between Christian and Muslim countries; and against every one else. Thus, the post-renaissance European intelligentsia came with the ingenuous political tool of the 'Secularism' or the 'separation of the Church and the State.' Secularism is basically a ceasefire between warring religious parties, not the tolerance or the end of hostility. European secularism is able to keep the religious strife on hold and evolve Europe along the rational behavior. Since Islamic societies have not gone through the renaissance, the religion is still a major factor there.
The political problem attributed to 'Hinduism' is mainly due to the confusion in even basic definitions. 'Sanatana' is the 'inquiry into the universal truths' and 'ways of spiritual advancements (Yoga).' Truth may be sought in three paradigms – a. scientific (objective), b. empirical (objective and subjective), and c. theistic (faith, revelation). There are basic four groups of ways of spirituality (Yoga) – a. way of love and devotion (Bhakti), b. way of knowledge (Gnan), c. way of unattached duty (Karma), and d. way of meditation and self-realization (Raj). Sanatana is the universal principle not limited by history, geography or culture. 'Dharma' is a given sub-set of Sanatana practiced by an individual or a group. One particular Dharma may employ certain means of truth seeking and emphasizing on certain Yoga practices. 'Hinduism' is a collection of Dharmas evolved in the Indian sub-continent including Tibet. It is a geographical definition. It is all of the philosophies, spiritual developments in the sub-continent including Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Vaisnavism, Shaivism etc. and Atheism as well. It also includes the religiosity of diverse ethnic groups of Nepal. For example, 'Kirati' people pioneered the 'Adwaita' philosophy, and have Lord Shiva as the guiding deity. `Dharma' of an individual or a group is not static rather a dynamic phenomenon. As the path of spirituality many new articles are incorporated and many misconceptions are discarded. It is not like going to a church and being told what to believe, think or behave. It is rather like going to a college and learning as per your interests. We all go to so many temples, or not at all, as per our individual wishes. It is a matter of individual freedom, and naturally give rise to many Dharmas. Dharmic differences are merely degrees of influence of different philosophies or practices. They are not different religions. Followers of a Dharmic tradition neither see followers of next tradition as of different religion, nor are hostile to them. Do not we all Nepalis celebrate 'Dasain'. 'Tihar', 'Buddha Jayanti', 'Shiva Ratri?' Do not we all Nepalis go to 'Swoyambhu', 'Pashupati' or any other temple? Our religious tolerance is not a learned or a legal phenomenon. It is inherent to us. Hinduism recognizes, as a matter of principle, many spiritual ways. 'There are many spiritual ways (Sarva dharma sambhava)' is our ancient ethos.
`Dharma' deals only with the spiritual, not legal, aspect of life. Dharma neither prescribes nor enforces a specific code of conduct. It only adds moral or spiritual dimension to our lives. Varied social mores are defined as traditions 'Parampara.' One Parampara is not hostile to another Paramapara. Matter of fact followers of different traditions live in harmony occupying different social niches. You might have heard of Crusade and Jehad. But have you heard of devotees of Krishna attacking devotees of Hanuman? Have you heard of 'Bhakti' yogis attacking 'Gnan yogis?' It is as bizarre as students of Physics attacking students of Geology, in the name of science. Where is religious war and need to declare ceasefire? The 'Secularism' is an irrelevant copying of the European political technique. Let us look into our own tradition and proclaim proudly – 'Sarva dharma sambhava.'
Apparently some foreigners have come to Nepal and are trying to teach us the virtue of being secular. Let us take a quick survey of today's world.
Christianity is the state religion of the following countries: Britain, Greece, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Malta, Monaco, Norway, Vatican, Haiti, Colombia, Panama and Paraguay.
British queen or king has to take oath of defending Christianity. Costa Rica is legally secular but state supports churches. USA is legally secular, but both country and government has Christian characteristics. All the leaders including President and Chief justices take oath on the Bible, not on secular constitution. Some of the American states have mandated to teach Bible in public schools. Churches are quite active both in politics and education; and foreign evangelism. USA though preaches secularism supports Israel, a declared Jewish state. When South Vietnam was under US control, it always supported Vietnamese Christians at the expense of Vietnamese Buddhists, which make almost 85% of the population. The martyrdom of many Buddhist monks for the sake of justice is a well-documented history.
Israel is created solely on the basis of religion of Judaism.
Islam is the state religion of following countries: Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Brunei, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Malaysia, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia and Tunisia.
Pakistan is created solely on the basis of Islam. By constitution, a non-Muslim cannot be the President or the Prime minister of Pakistan. A religious sect called 'Ahmedia' is officially prosecuted. Bangladesh was a secular country when created in 1971. But became an Islamic country in 1982 although about 20 percent of the population is non-Muslim. In Maldives, only Muslims can be citizen.
In Syria only a Muslim can be president. Indonesia is legally secular, but state supports Islam. In Malaysia non-Muslims are officially second-class citizens. In Iran persecutions of non-Muslims, especially a sect called 'Bahai', are well documented. In Saudi Arabia, non-Muslims cannot take any of their personal religious objects like a Bible.
What makes a union of people a nation? What glues individuals to make a civilization? We must look into our society and consider these issues. In Nepal, Hinduism is not a set of dogmatic belief. It is the way of life, rooted in our ancient past. Essentially, our Dharma defines our character. This is our culture and identity. Answer to questions like, why Nepal need to stay a Hindu state, or why even we need Nepal, is that we are proud of and love our country and our root. Every country has her uniqueness, characteristic and spirit. Ours is Dharma. Sages have proclaimed - 'He who protects Dharma will be protected, in turn.'
Thus, when we proudly proclaim Nepal a Hindu nation, it only means we are proud of our heritage and culture, nothing more. And when we declare Nepal a secular state, it means we want to dissociate from our very root, nothing less.
In any society there are problems and ours is not an exception. However, we must carefully identify the causes and innovate correct solution. Wrong analyses will lead to barking up a wrong tree and missing out on proper solutions. Most of our social problems are due to stagnation in social evolution, non-power sharing by the dominant class, and underdevelopments in education and economy. It is not Dharma. Matter of fact, the lack of Dharma is the problem. For example, the present day political corruption is directly due to erosion of our values or Dharma. The societal problems must be addressed at the political and social level, not by merely accusing Dharma. Such misdiagnosis is the result of intellectual laziness and hostility due to perceived exploitation and marginalization. Such misdiagnosis only caters to a few petty leaders with big axes to grind and divisive forces in the Nepali society. It does not help the marginalized groups to progress. Our social problems must be addressed through the following 'development strategy': a. education, b. political power sharing, c. economic mobility, and d. social leadership. We must also understand Dharma, rather than being told about it. Let us briefly address the two of the often quoted and misunderstood issues – caste and political domination.
Hindu caste system is not a religious but a social phenomenon. Have you heard of any body preaching the 'caste system' leading to heaven? People talk about caste system as tradition 'Parampara', not Dharma. Have you heard of 'Bahuns' attacking 'Chhetris', or 'Tamrakars' attacking 'Malakars?' Caste is basically a natural social coalescence of human behaviors into subgroups. Hindus believe in freedom and will not have a single enforced social mores. Thus we have literally hundreds of caste, each having its own traditions and values. There are both vertical and horizontal caste divisions. The vertical division is mainly based on ethics. Though there are many cases when politically dominant group have misused it.
(To be concluded)
(Dr. Shrestha is a freelance writer and can be reached at tilakbs@hotmail.com)
