submitted by Jaganmohini devi dasi
Source for the following excerpt: Inaugural address “The Joy of Human Life” by Dr. Kalam delivered at “International Summit: Towards a Culture of harmony and Peace”, New Delhi, Dec. 7-10, 2003. It has appeared in the Publication “Towards a Culture of Harmony and Peace” published jointly by Bhaktivedanta Institute (Kolkata) and Delhi Peace Summit.
He concludes the address as follows:
Creator’s Message
God has created the human being with a brain and thinking faculty. He has commanded His creation that the faculty must be used with reasoning to reach His image. This is the mission of the human life. Science is the best boon God has bestowed upon mankind. Science with reasoning becomes the capital of society. In whatever field we work, be it science, technology, medicine, politics, policing, theology or the judiciary, we have to remain in the service of the common man whose well-being is central to all human knowledge and endeavor.
Every religion has a central component – spirituality that is driven by compassion and love. Rationality and logic are intrinsic to science and spirituality. A spiritual experience is the goal of a deeply religious person whereas a major discovery or an invention is the goal of a scientific mind. If both aspects are unified, amalgamated in our own patterns, we can transcend to that level of thinking in which unity is cohesive aspect. For this environment the two major components, Science and Spirituality, have to interact. A Peace prayer can be the foundation for both.
Peace Prayer
Oh Almighty, create thoughts and actions in the minds of the people of the nation so that they live united.
Oh Almighty, bless the people to take a path of life with righteousness as righteousness gives the strength of character.
Help all religious leaders of the country to give strength to the people to combat the divisive forces.
Guide the people to develop an attitude to appreciate different ideologies and transform enmity among individuals, organizations and nations into friendliness and harmony
Embed the thought ‘Nation is bigger than the Individual’ in the minds of the leaders and people.
Oh God, bless the people to work with perseverance to transform the country into a peaceful and prosperous nation and promote world peace.
Dr. Abdul Kalam receiving the 675 pages proceedings publication ‘Thoughts on the Synthesis of Science and Religion” published by BI-Kolkata from H.H. Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Swami
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