Good living formula

As someone had said, living well is the best revenge. That sums up the formula for tolerance and good living, writes P.P. Wangchuk.

As someone had said, living well is the best revenge. That sums up the formula for tolerance and good living.

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The root cause of all the ills that has dogged the planet earth today is because of an increasing degree of intolerance on communal lines.

The recent move in America to build a mosque and a Muslim centre at the 9/11 attack site comes as good news.

It will have a prayer hall, a 500-seat performing arts centre, a swimming pool and a restaurant. Unfortunately, several voices of protests and resentment have already been raised from several quarters.

If I were to decide on the issue, I would have a multi-religious centre at the site — a centre where people of all faiths can interact and hug each other.

But can such a thing ever happen in the absence of love and tolerance? Today, tolerance is a rare phenomenon. Just to make a case, in our own country, can we ever build shrines of other faiths in places like Srinagar and Kargil?

Benjamin Disraeli had said, “We are born for love. It is the principle of existence, and its only end.” In other words, tolerance lends one a charm that keeps all around happy and secure.

And love is the outcome of tolerance and friendship. One who is unfortunately intolerant sees everyone around as an enemy. But one with love and tolerance sees his own image in all around him. That gives him hope and the reason to live a happy life.

That is why I always define a true religious person as one who upholds the principle of divergence of thought and creativity. This in short means having tolerance that is at the base of happiness and good living.