Who qualifies to be a global citizen?

 

 

 

The modern time has seen very intricate inter connectivity and interaction at the global level. Something happening in a remote part of the world has ripples in other places. Mutual interdependence in all fields of life has become the order of the day. At the first glance the interconnectedness seems to be at the material and phenomenal levels. But profound research into the field of astrophysics has revealed that the universe has very deep interconnection. In his famous book, The Tao of Physics, Fritjof Capra has concluded that the entire universe is an unbroken web of interconnectedness. He has profusely quoted from Buddhist and Upanishadic texts.

 

The Upanishadic literature is full of statements advocating the oneness and interconnectedness of the universe. The core concept of the Upanishadic philosophy is Brahma, the Supreme Reality. Brahma gets manifested and mirrored in diverse ways. Hence there is interconnection in all the diversities. The universe emerges from Brahma and again gets dissolved into It. It is a continuous process. The following two Upanishadic quotes are very illuminating1) Isavasyam Idam Sarvam or everything is, but divine. 2) Sarvam Khalvidam Brahma or everything is, but Brahma or the Supreme Reality. The Upanishadic thoughts laid the foundation stone of Vasudhaiva Kutumbaka or the entire globe as a family. The concept of the global family originated in the Indian subcontinent thousands of years ago. Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah or everyone should be happy is the culmination of this Indian thought. This approach reflects the global mindset. The Indian tradition has accepted the natural and inborn equality and fraternity of mankind. This is a view which perceives humanity as a whole. While retaining the personal identity, the Indian mindset considers itself as an integral part of the entire globe. Sects, religions, community, race, nationalities, caste, creed, sex etc all melt down into the cauldron of humanity. Everything whether living or non living is the expression of the divine.

 

Thus the Indian values are based upon a sense of collective consciousness. It believes in global networks which are inclusive and all encompassing. This is the reason that diversity is considered not as contradictory, but complementary and panoramic. The Vedas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas , Upanishads, six systems of Astik philosophy and four systems of Nastik philosophy and a host of other philosophical thoughts are the best examples of this belief. Every philosopher in the Indian tradition has been called a seer or a sage. The Sankhya philosophy has not accepted the existence of God. Buddhism, Jainism, Charvaka and Lokayatanas form the part of philosophy which are based upon non Vedic faith.Yoga, Tantra, Gyana, Bhakti, Karma etc, are the multiple ways to know the ultimate reality. Ekam Sadma Vipra Bahudha Vadanti is the declaration of the global citizenship where the same truth is expressed in diverse ways. There is no concept of blasphemy or conversion in the Indian systems of thoughts. Hence, this way of thought and practice truly fits into the mechanism of global and universal citizenship.