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Held at New York’s historic Madison Square Garden, ‘One World, One Humanity’ and ‘Universal Oneness Celebration’ delivered a powerful message of unity of humanity, respect for diversity, religious harmony, dialogue and global peace. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s Sarsanghchalak Dr. Mohan Bhagwat, Parmarth Peethadhishwar, Swami Chidanand Saraswati, Dr. Sadhvi Bhagwati Saraswati addressed this special function organized in the presence of representatives of various communities, spiritual and religious leaders and dignitaries associated with the social sector, including Americans of Indian origin.

The basic objective of this grand event was focused on the timeless proclamation of Indian Sanatan Darshan “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, the whole world is one family”. The program gave the message of dialogue, mutual respect among different faiths, cultures and traditions and strengthening the common consciousness of humanity.

Parmarth Peethadhishwar, Swami Chidanand Saraswati, while addressing Sarsanghchalak Rashtrarishi Mohan Bhagwat, religious leaders, sisters and brothers, said that today we are associated with many faiths and traditions, but our soul is one and we all are part of one global family. This is the basic spirit of Sanatan Dharma and the great civilization of India.

Swami said that Sanatan Dharma does not wish for the welfare of only one community but for the well-being of the entire creation “Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, Sarve Santu Niramaya.” The message of our Vedas is “Aa no Bhadraah Kratvo Yantu Vishwataah” i.e. let noble and beneficial thoughts come to us from all directions. This vision of life inspires us to accept everyone, respect everyone and take everyone along.

He said that we have to make love an action, spirituality an action, peace a behavior and service a sadhana. The decades-long service tradition of the volunteers of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh is an example of this dedication: “What is there for me?” Moving from “What can happen through me?” The feeling of is Indian philosophy.

Swami said that today the world needs this consciousness. Our diversities should become strength, not division, and our beliefs should become a medium of dialogue and harmony, not conflict. Let us resolve not just to be present together, but to walk together. This is the message of Sanatan, this is the soul of India and this is the global spirit of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”.

In his address, Dr. Mohan Bhagwat underlined the inclusive consciousness of the Indian vision of life and said that being a Hindu means accepting that different paths lead to the same goal and that every human being has his own dignity. Emphasizing the basic unity of humanity, he said that there is no discrimination among human beings. Our methods of worship, traditions and way of life may be different, but the same human dignity and consciousness exists in every person.

Dr. Bhagwat ji said that there are many religions, sects, worship methods and life-styles in the world, but the basic consciousness of humanity is one. Diversity is the nature of nature and unity is the underlying truth behind it. The eternal tradition of India has always given importance to the feeling of respect and co-existence of different opinions and faiths. This is the reason why many paths have been accepted in Indian culture and wishes have been made for the welfare of all. He said that true humanity is to respect the identity and faith of others while having respect for one’s own identity and faith. Eliminating diversity is not unity; Rather, real unity lies in accepting diversities and experiencing the unity inherent in them.

Dr. Sadhvi Bhagwati Saraswati Ji, representing the Hindu religion in this program, performed the opening prayer with the divine mantra of “Asato Ma Sadgamaya”. He prayed and said, O Lord! Take us from that darkness to light, from that untruth to the truth in which we ourselves suffer and due to our ignorance cause pain to others also.

He said that this darkness is not only of untruth but also of false identity in which we consider ourselves limited only to our physical body, its size, shape, colour, caste, religion and external identity. In this wrong identity, we ourselves suffer and become the cause of suffering for others too.

Sadhvi said that the prayer “Asato Ma Sadgamaya” takes us from the darkness of this false identity to the light of truth, to the truth where we remember that we are not just this body; We are divine souls, eternal, infinite and connected to God.

He said that when we recognize this truth, then the differences within us begin to disappear. We may have different bodies, we may have different identities and beliefs, but our soul is one, we are one with God, we are connected to each other and we are one with all of creation. This is the journey from darkness to light, from untruth to truth and from division to unity.

People from various communities including Americans of Indian origin participated in the program. Representatives belonging to different faiths and traditions gathered on one platform and expressed the common spirit of unity, harmony, dialogue and humanity.

The program conveyed the message that lasting peace in the world will not be established merely by ending differences, but by understanding, communicating, respecting each other and serving humanity together. More than 5,000 Indian-origin Americans participated in the ‘Universal Oneness Celebration’ event organized at Madison Square Garden in New York. It was organized by American Hindus for Engagement and Dialogue. 180 religious leaders from 30 countries participated in the program.