Trinity: The Christian belief in one God manifesting Himself in three forms; God the Father (the Creator), God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
Trimurti: The Hindu Trinity of Gods; Brahma the Creator, Vishnu the Preserver and Shiva the Destroyer who represent the three forms of the supreme being.
Triumvirate: A group of three people who jointly share some responsibility, authority, or power.
If we look at religious conflicts, the major conflicts over the last few centuries have been between Christianity and Islam. Middle East and European history demonstrates this. Sadly, in the last few decades Hinduism has entered the fray with conflicts with both Islam and Christianity in the Indian subcontinent.
One might argue that I have left Judaism out of the equation. One might argue there is a huge conflict between Muslims and Jews, and that would be true. Yet that huge conflict is not based on religion, rather it is based upon Zionism (a political rather than religious ideology). This is best demonstrated by Hamas leader Ismail Haniya's recent comment "Hamas rejects Zionist ideology, not Jews" (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8155350.stm).
Back to the topic, what is my hope for a Holy Triumvirate? It is my hope that leaders, representatives of (in alphabetical order) Christianity, Hinduism and Islam get together and form a Triumvirate, sharing responsibility and their authority to encourage their followers to embrace each other, despite their differing religions, based upon the fact they were created by just one God.
Who should form the Holy Triumvirate?
Christianity: Although there are many denominations of christians I think the Catholic church best represents Christianity from the time Jesus Christ said to Peter, "Peter upon this rock I build my church...". Following Peter and a succession of Popes, I think the current pope, Pope Benedict XVI is best placed to be a part of this triumvirate.
Hinduism: Hinduism began in the Vedic age 1500 years B.C. It is impossible to establish a direct connection between the founders of Hinduism 3500 years ago and Hindu leaders today. My best choice of a Hindu leader for the Triumvirate would be Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamigal, the present Jagadguru of the Shringeri Pita.
Huh? Let me explain. In the book "Historic India" published by TIME-LIFE books, the author Lucille Schulberg says: "Of all the philosophers that India has produced, one who graced the Ninth Century A.D. ranks among the great minds in all history. That was Shankara, a brahman born in Kerala, in southern India. In a brief life of 32 years he did for hinduism what the 13th Century Thomas Aquinhas did for Christianity: he took his religion apart and examined it in minute detail, then drew the pieces together again in one cohesive whole....".
Just like Jesus Christ passed his church to Peter and on to subsequent popes with pope Benedict XVI being the latest, Sri Adi Shankara passed his reigns on to Sri Suresvara Acharya who passed the position onwards which Sri Bharti Tirtha Mahaswamigal now occupies.
Islam: On the Islamic front I would put forth the current successor of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Hassan Chishty who preached "love towards all, malice towards none", but I do not know who that might be. Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Hassan Chishty brought Islam to the Indian subcontinent not by the sword but by the power of his thoughts and messages.
The founders of Christianity, Hinduism and Islam (amongst other religions) believed in and preached Peace, Love, Kindness and unity amongst all human beings. Yet followers of these religions today practice hate, malice and killing of each other.
It is time for leaders of these great religions to lead their flocks, teach them that every single person on earth was created by the very same God who created them. Teach them how to - people of all religions, races, cultures - love each other, unite and work with each other to make our world a better place for all of us. If these three leaders reach out to each other and agree to form a triumvirate surely billions of their followers worldwide will embrace each other. In time Christians, Hindus and Moslems from other denominations will probably follow.
How will this Triumvirate be formed? For sure it will not happen simply because I wrote this piece. If you have any ideas I would appreciate your comments.
First , Yeshua never left the keys to peter and then to the popes. The roman church is a pagan church as is he protestants. The Hebrew Faith of Yeshua has nothing to do with what we call christianity. The true faith of Yeshua is grounded in the Torah. Plus scriptures declare Yeshua to be a man and not a part of the trinity. He was flesh and blood, not part god and part man. Your wrong in your opinions, study your history to find the truth.
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Response from Monist:
Dear Mysticalhermit,
You make a statement but do not back it up with any references. For example you say "study your history to find the truth". Where do we go to study this?
I have spent significant time researching your suggestion and this link is the best I can find:
http://www.thenazareneway.com/yeshua_jesus_real_name.htm
It does not support your argument.
We are all created by one God. May that God bless you, me and and all of us.
Posted by: Mysticalhermit | 07/23/2009 at 01:38 AM