The World Religions Conference

6–8 February 1970

Once again the Ramlila Grounds, New Delhi, site of the annual celebration of the famous Ramayana epic – the story of Rama and Sita – loaned its huge dimensions to support the vast crowds that attended the World Fellowship of Religions Conference.

For many weeks, the Master had been engaged day and night in all phases of the Conference preparations – unsparingly giving His precious time, advice and direction. Those observing could but stand and wonder at the output of activity from the Master – achievements beyond the capacity of three or four men.

Delegates came from the United States, Israel, France, Iran, Greece, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Thailand, Ceylon, Canada, the Netherlands, Cambodia, Laos, Japan, Australia, and all parts of India, and represented all world religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Islam and Christianity, including the Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Mormon, and various Protestant sects. They ranged from high-ranking dignitaries to simple housewives, but they shared one thing in common: a burning conviction that there was a great deal to do and not much time to do it in.

The Opening Session and Subjects Committee Meeting

The opening session took place on the afternoon of 6th February. After the reading of the General Secretary’s report and congratulatory messages, the garlanding of the principals and delegates, and an expression of welcome by the Reception Chairman, Mr Sahni S.P. Jain, the conference was duly inaugurated by His Holiness Nichidatsu Fuji Guruji, President of the Japan Buddhist Sangh. Thereafter the huge congregation was addressed by Muni Sushil Kumar Ji, Sponsor, World Fellowship of Religions; Param Sant Kirpal Singh Ji, President, WFR; William Frary, Baron von Blomberg, Co-President; Major General Mohammed Mazarhi, representing the Shah of Iran; and all other delegates. Shri Morarji Desai, as chairman of the inaugural session, concluded the day’s program with a final address.

7th February was devoted to the meeting of the Subjects Committee, where the subjects were discussed with lively enthusiasm. Four separate panels were created for this purpose.

The subjects were:

  1. Contribution of religions towards inner and outer development of man;

  2. Concept of Universal Harmony in religions and the need for the establishment of an institution for the comparative studies of religions;

  3. Universal Charter of Religions;

  4. The message of religions in modern times.

After the resolutions had been discussed and moved, the day was concluded by an open session in the evening, where the various delegates were able to give public voice to their own thoughts on the subjects of the day’s discussions. The results of the resolutions were withheld until the following day at the final session.

The Concluding Session and the Resolutions

True to the ancient tradition of making public such important events and to add emphasis to the need for every citizen to take serious interest in the proceedings, on 8th February a procession led by the principals, delegates, and members of the various religions represented, marched from the Gandhi Grounds in Old Delhi to the Ramlila Grounds. On arrival there, the third and last sessions commenced with songs and poems. Following this, the resolutions as passed in the Subjects Committee meeting the day before were read out to the conference one by one by Muni Sushil Kumar, Sponsor, WFR, which were seconded one by one by different persons and were unanimously passed by the conference.

These resolutions are as follows:

Resolution No 1

Believing in the fundamental Unity of all religions with the noble aspiration of establishing peace and Unity amongst the followers of the apparently different faiths and in order to harmonise them, this conference of the World Religions resolves to establish an International Institute for the unbiased and systematic study of comparative religions.

It proposes:

  1. To group and establish contact with all kindred international and national conferences and associations working in the field of comparative religions.

  2. To organise lectures, courses and an exhaustive curriculum in all religions and comparative religions (a) at the Institute (b) throughout India and (c) throughout the world.

  3. Until such a time as there is an independent building for the Institute, their meetings may be held at some suitable institution, preferably the Ahimsa Bhavan or Ahimsa Shodhpeth, New Delhi, to start with.

  4. To encourage, organise and establish chairs for an unbiased study in comparative religions in all universities and other academic institutions and schools.

  5. To appeal to UNESCO and other philanthropical foundations for facilities to promote and establish the Institute.

  6. To further education in the study of all religions by means of literature, publications and all other means of mass communication.

Resolution No 2

In the opinion of this conference of the World Fellowship of Religions it is the law or the norm, or the Dharma as we understand it, which has done the greatest good to the greatest number. It has shown the path of not only interior development which is to know oneself and know the Absolute Reality, but of exterior development also to the humanity and served it utmost. Organised institutions, practices or even behaviour of particular individuals or groups, which have proved to be definitely harmful, are neither the law, nor the norm, nor the Dharma, but are distortions of the teachings of righteousness. We believe as in the past, so in the future also the law or the norm or the Dharma shall prove to be the benefactor of humanity.

This conference of the World Fellowship of Religions declares that if we would consider the fundamentals of all religions such as non-violence, justice, compassion and equality, Eternal Love, Eternal Service and Eternal Truth, we would be able to see the basic Unity and solidarity and harmony underlying all the religions. This conference emphasises and underlines this very fundamental Unity of all religions, which is conducive to the goodness of all humanity. To assist everybody to attain Ultimate Happiness is the foundation of the basic Unity of all religions.

Resolution No 3

The World Fellowship of Religions herewith accepts in principle that a World Body, comprised of all religions and ethical societies should be created. This body will serve to balance, help, collaborate and cooperate with the United Nations organisation. It will function as an autonomous, but co-equal partner to the United Nations in filling the moral, spiritual and religious vacuum that currently exists. Its work should enhance wholesome human relationships and otherwise improve the enlightenment and well-being of the human family.

This resolution also included a ‘Universal Charter of Religions’ which appears on the opposite page. [See the link ‘Universal Charter of Religions’; Editor’s Note, 2011.]

Resolution No. 4

This conference of the World Fellowship of Religions accepts that the developments of modern science compel deep and serious reflection. Science has also generated a measure of scepticism about religion. But perhaps the world has never in the past stood so much in need of the real values of the Dharma, as it does today. Although the interventions of modern science from the point of view of the means of communication have brought about the physical nearness of different individuals to the utmost, yet as a result of the corresponding absence of the developments of Spiritual Culture of man, he finds himself at the cross-road and without a sense of direction, does not know which side he should turn to. It is the law of righteousness and its synthesis with modern science alone which can pierce through this darkness and prove, not only a beacon-light to all humanity, but its greatest benefactor.

For the last time the delegates once again addressed the public. Many of them stressed the necessity of putting that which had been resolved into action throughout the world. One delegate boldly declared that ‘too often there is too much talking and not enough work!’ which was eagerly applauded by the congregation.

The General Convention

The proceedings of the General Convention of the World Fellowship of Religions started at 7:30 p.m. The Sponsor, Muni Sushil Kumar Ji, expressed great appreciation for the untiring services of the outgoing President, Sant Kirpal Singh Ji, and was pleased to nominate, under terms of Clause 10 of the Constitution, Sant Kirpal Singh Ji once again as President of the World Fellowship of Religions for the coming term of three years. His proposal was wholeheartedly appreciated by Swami Arvindanand and Swami Ved Vyasanand, as well as by all the Convention, amid loud cheering.

The President, Sant Kirpal Singh Ji, then announced the names of the members of the General Council, which consists of 64 religious leaders from all over the world and representing all world religions, including Swami Arvindanand, Swami Ved Vyasanand, Swami Chitananda, Pir Zamin Nizami, Maharaj Jagjit Singh Ji and many others of India; the Baron von Blomberg, Dr David Manning White, Mrs Kenneth Dale Owen, Roy Anderson, Dr Marcus Bach, Prof. H.H. Presler, Dr Rammurti S. Misra, Karol Sitko and Dr Jefferson Eastmond, the United States; Joseph Busby and the Rev. James McWhirter, England; Pfarrer W. Siebrecht, the Baroness Carola Helenia von Bechtolsheim, and the Rev. Lawrence Robertson, Germany; Cardinal Jean Darielon, H.E. Hamzu Boubekar, and Mme Maryse Choisy, France; Rabbi Andre Zaoui, Hon. Y. Morris, and Dr Andre Ghouragin, Israel; the Rev. Walter Hollenweger and Miss Florence Kaiwani, Switzerland; Prof. Lazarus Choumanides, Greece; Alfred Benesch, Austria; Prof. Berger Norman, Sweden; Maj. Gen. Mohammed Mazarhi, Iran; H.R.H. Princess Poon, Thailand; Dr C.H. Yeang, Malaysia, and many others.

The Master also announced the names of the General Secretaries, who are Dr L.M. Singhvi (India), Dr Jefferson Eastmond and Dr Rammurti S. Misra (outside India).

The Presidential Address given by the Master, concluding the program, appears on page 6. [See the link ‘The Presidential Adress’; Editor’s Note, 2011.]

With the winding up of these proceedings, the Fourth Conference of the World Fellowship of Religions officially drew to a close. As those who took part went their ways homeward to different parts of the world, may God speed them in all their sincere efforts for the benefit of humanity.