Abp Thomas Menamparampil

Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil on May 12 called for happy relationship and spiritual bondedness among people of various cultural backgrounds, traditions, religions, interests, and sensitivities in the country. This call makes intense meaning in the context of recent tragedies in Manipur where tensions are still high. The archbishop was speaking at a conference organized as a part of C20 Summit at the behest of the Government of India by the Chinmaya Mission at Guwahati. The conference had for its theme Vasudhaiva Kudumbakam. His talk:

Assuming the leadership of G20 Narendra Modiji said that India’s contribution would be “inclusive, ambitious, and decisive”, with an eagerness to make of G20 a catalyst for global change, holding out a message of “peace and security” in this era of “geopolitical tensions” and anxieties of diverse kinds.
This contribution will certainly include protection of environment, a determined effort towards peace and reconciliation, and deep commitment to making all technological innovation and commercial expansion serve the common good. It will mean making democracy function for the benefit of all, especially the weak and the marginalized. What may be described as powerful instruments towards these goals would be genuine spirituality and eagerness to construct bondedness among people various cultures, traditions, interests, and sensitivities.
With India’s population overtaking China’s by 2.9 million (UN report), our shared contribution to the common cause is going to make the widest possible impact. Social idealism that is part of our heritage has its roots in the ancient presentation of Dharma as the search for uprightness and ready collaboration among people of all persuasions. We think of the days when Indian religious teachers and traders made their way to the various countries of Southeast Asia; Malaysia, Indonesia, Java, Borneo, Bali, Champa (Vietnam), Laos, Funan (China).
Asoka’s convictions about Dharma went forth from Pataliputra through Mahindra to Sri Lanka; from Ganga to the snows of the Himalayas, the deserts of central Asia, and the bazaars of Alexandria, to the Greek King Antiochos; to the Cholas, Pandyas, Yonas, Kambojas, Andhras, Pulindas, Keralputras. It went on to Tibet, Lower Myanmar, Thailand, Japan. Gunavarman of Kashmir took Buddhist teachings about Dharma to Java.
I myself had the joy of visiting Angkor Vat in Cambodia, Bali island, Borobudur in Indonesia, Potala Palace in Lhasa, and Hiuen Tsang’s (Xuanzang) monastery at Xi’an in China, admiring the religious zeal and intellectual earnestness of Indians in the past.
There is no reason to doubt that the same earnestness about Dharma which stands for brotherliness and…
happy relationship in society reigns in the hearts of Indians, despite our weaknesses and failures. “Fraternity” is a concept sanctified in our Constitutions, side by side with Equality and Liberty. Our former President, Hamid Ansari, says, the constitutional concept of “Fraternity” should come alive. In fact, the Preamble of the constitution has a spiritual, moral content. We can feel the eagerness of the Founding Fathers to ensure for India an atmosphere Vasudeva Kudumbakam.

Our constitutional values ensure a continuity with Ashoka’s concept of Dharma that believed in respect for people of diverse convictions and the use of persuasion in sharing ideas. These values must reach out to weak and remote communities as well. Edict XIII says, ‘His Sacred Majesty looks kindly” on forest tribals to make them think aright. Services of Education and Health must reach out to them.
As institutions like those of Nalanda drew thousands of students from most nations of prominence those days, we ought to ensure that India will have something inspiring and relevant to contribute to the wider world. For example, values that are implanted deep into Indian traditions, such as spiritual democracy, celebration of diversity, harmony with nature, development with concern for the poor.
It is being claimed that India has become the “pharmacy of the world”. May it be true not only with regard to physical wellbeing, but also mental and spiritual, and set a model of happy inter-community relationships. The world needs a healing touch today. About 254 million Indians are between the year 15-24. Approximately 26% of the entire population is between 10-24. The future belongs to them. Young India has the energy, venturesome spirit and enthusiasm for innovation. Our prayer today is that they be promoters of this concept of Vasudhaiva Kudumbakam, the World is One Family, within the country and worldwide and equip themselves for the cause.