Ashok Vohra

Why we need Gandhi’s idea of religion more than ever today

October 2, 2020

There are as many scriptures as there are religions. Just as there is nothing in the core of religions that can keep us apart, there is nothing in the religious scriptures that separates us because the primary aim of all the scriptures is to lead men to wisdom and detachment....

What are the attributes of a saint?

September 21, 2020

All religions of the world believe in the notion of saints or sages, though they call them bydifferent names. In Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism they are called sant, mahatma,sanyasi, sadhu, aryika, sadhavi, arahant, bodhisattva, swami, pravarjak, guru. Mahatma Gandhiobserved, “All the saints of the world, ancient and modern, were each...

Tulsi’s Ram was for emulation, not just worship

September 7, 2020

Ramcharitmanas of Tulsidas teaches that moksha or salvation is attained not by sacrifices, rituals, or tapas or intense yoga, but by simple devotion and complete surrender to Ram and by doing good service to every living being. It is regarded as the new Veda of the Kaliyuga. Tulsidas believed in...

Where religion, science and philosophy meet

August 10, 2020

What is the origin and structure of the universe inhabited by us? What is our own origin and nature? Are we constituted of purely material, or purely spiritual elements or are we an amalgamation of the two? Is there any element in the universe which is permanent? Are we permanent...

Stithpragya or Samta: An exemplar from Jainism

July 27, 2020

In the second chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna preaches Arjuna that by using his wisdom or discrimination he should elevate his mind “beyond the turbidity of delusion” and make it “unshakeable and steadfast in the self” that is become stithpragya — acquire equanimity. Arjuna in Bhagavad Gita asks Krishna,...

Why Buddhism & Jainism grew differently in India

July 13, 2020

Indian philosophical and religious thought can be classified into Brahmanik and Shramanik traditions. Brahmanik tradition traces its origin to the Vedas. Vedas are revealed texts and are inviolable. Sramanik traditions do not believe in the authority of the Vedas. While Brahmanik tradition does not advocate renunciation — tyaga, sanyasa, vairagya,...

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