Samanvay Sthal
December 2009
India has a long tradition of flourishing with different religions, despite it being a Sovereign, Secular and Democratic country. India is a country that upholds the philosophy of Peace, Harmony and Brotherhood. But we have the persistence of various communal riots with violence and hatred that divides our society infusing narrow perspectives into the national character.
To bring all real and perceived differences in one alignment, The Guild for Service has taken an active initiative of making the Samanvay Sthal at Vrindavan amidst our home for the old destitute widows at Amar Bari Ma Dham.
The Samanvay Sthal is dedicated to the representation of the eight major religions of the world co-existing under one roof. Each pillar of the structure is dedicated to one religion will represent the enshrining philosophy from that religion and then these pillars merge towards the roof of the structure. The entire structure is symbolic of the fact that individual religions while retaining their unique characteristics uphold the fascinating plurality of human civilization. The Sthal is envisaged to be a meeting ground of all thoughts, all denominations and all divinities. The scriptures will reflect the common feature that will highlights the notion of equality, unity, peace, harmony, brotherhood and respect. This unique structure will encourage the practice of inter- faith belief, denounce differentiation and discrimination on the basis of religion and promote in the times of global citizenship, a global faith with one mandate of tolerance and acceptance.
At a later stage the guild envisions a study centre and research centre dedicated to religious philosophies of the world to underpin commonalities and similarities of thought.
The Samanvay Sthal is a place to draw solace, meditation and think of supreme and to be inspired by the philosophy of different religions. This will help in bringing about unity in diversity. The structure of the Samanvay Sthal is almost completed and will be inaugurated as early as possible. This will help in cutting across the religious lines and will bring people together under one roof of worship.