Inter-religious World Conference of Unity of Man

Organised by Manav Kendra in collaboration with various social and religious organisations in India and abroad

Vigyan Bhawan & Ramlila Grounds, Delhi 3, 4, 5, 6 February 1974

There is one caste, one religion, and One God. There is only one caste – the caste of humanity. There is only one religion – the religion of Love. There is only one dharma – the dharma of Truth. There is only One God – the Omnipresent, – the Omniscient, – the Omnipotent. There is only one language – the language of the heart.

Kirpal Singh
Sponsor, Inter-Religious World Conference of Unity of Man

The World Conference of Unity of Man which is being held in Delhi on 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th and 6^th February 1974, is an inter-religious international gathering of the highest importance. Such Conferences have been organised in the past at the level of religion and consequently have not been able to achieve integration in the required measure. A significant feature of the proposed Conference is that it is being organised at the level of man as envisaged by the Rishis and Saints so that it may lead to True Integration.

We hope that the Conference will be a memorable event and rallying point of fraternity of man, Spiritual Awakening and moral regeneration. A large number of nationals of many countries have already extended their cooperation to the Organising Committee and it is expected that about 2 000 delegates from India and abroad will participate. It is estimated that more than 100 000 seekers after Truth will gather in the Ramlila Grounds to hear the distinguished speakers.

Dr V.V. Giri, President of India; Dr G.S. Pathak, Vice-president of India; and Srimati Indira Gandhi, Prime Minister of India, all of whom have evinced keen interest in the activities of Manav Kendra, have been requested to address the Conference.

In a letter dated 7^th December 1973, the Great Master Kirpal Singh made it plain that the general public as well as initiates were invited to attend the Conference and that there is no need to obtain permission from the Master to visit India at this time:

“Patrons, Delegates, Members, etc., may be enlisted from the general public interested in the Conference in as great numbers as possible, and their intimation be sent along with the applications and remittances.

“Of course, the initiates will also enrol as Patrons, Delegates and Members in as large numbers as possible because the Conference synchronises with the usual Birthday Celebrations and they will have the opportunity to come into the physical presence of the Master.

“All persons coming to the Conference must have proper Tourist Visas – except residents of the Commonwealth countries.

“The delegates would bear their board and lodging expenses which would be $100.00.”

Program

Excerpt from the original Letter of Invitation

The following is excerpted from the official letter of invitation sent by the World Conference of Unity of Man.

Sponsor: His Holiness Sant Kirpal Singh Ji.

Advisors: Kaku Sahib Kalelkar, Venerable Nichidatsu Fuji, Satguru Jagjit Singh Ji, Jagatguru Shankaracharya, H.H. Muni Sushil Kumar Ji, H.H. Swami Gangeshwaranand, Mufti Atiqur Rehman Usmani, H.H. Acharya Sri Tulsi Ji, Yogi Bhajan, Anand Swami Saraswati, Archbishop Angelo Fernandes, Swami Ranganathan, Shri Jagjivan Ram, Sri Y.B. Chavan, Sri Akbar Ali Khan, Sri Hukam Singh, Raja Mahendra Partap, Sri I.K. Gujral. Smt. Sarojini Mahishi, Sri Gulzarilal Nanda, Lama Kushak Bakula, Raja Ram Shastri, Sri Dhirendra Brahmchari, Sri U.N. Dhebar.

Secretaries: Dr M.M. Chopra, Dr D.P. Pandey, Sri Darshan Singh, Sri B.M. Shamsukha.

Charles Colton has said,

Men will wrangle for religion, write for it, fight for it; anything but live for it.

Even today many strifes and riots are started in the name of religion. This has adversely affected the present generation so much that its consequent aversion to religion can easily be understood. It is disassociating itself from the age old moral laws of society and feels proud and adventurous in refuting religious beliefs. We find just enough religion to make us hate, but not enough to make us love one another.

In view of this, true ethical teachings in the religious traditions of mankind must be reinterpreted and reinvested with meanings appropriate to the current situation. Though humans do need economic and political advancement, they also need creative moral values. We have reached a point in history where we have to transcend the narrow confines of religious sectionalism, racialism, communalism and even nationalism to move towards building of a World Community.

One of the programs of the – Unity of Man – Convention will be to highlight the essential Unity of the basic moral principles contained in almost all religions. The very aim of the Convention is to strengthen the moral, spiritual and religious values of mankind throughout the world.

The challenging task before the religious and spiritual leaders is to bring about a radical change in the ethical, educational and economic status of humanity. All values are interlinked and interdependent. Economic uplift is essential, because a hungry man is an angry man and to talk of God to him is a mockery. In fact, religion has always been opposed to all kinds of monopolistic institutions and controls over things provided by Nature like land and capital. No religious leader or prophet has ever lent support to the ideals of wealth accumulation and exploitation.

His Holiness Sant Kirpal Singh Ji Maharaj, Who is regarded by millions in India and abroad as the apostle of peace, Unity and harmony, has very kindly consented to extend His benign cooperation in organising this World Convention. […] Through the Ruhani Satsang and Manav Kendra, His Holiness has done unique work in developing mutual understanding and harmony throughout the world.

We are confident that as a man of religion, you will not only grace the occasion with your esteemed presence but extend your whole-hearted support to the committee for disseminating the lofty ideals of developing international understanding and fostering Unity of mankind.

Let us pledge ourselves that the welfare of humankind, transcending narrow allegiances, is our Highest Commitment.

The letter was signed by 42 religious and social leaders, including Raja Mahendra Partap (World Federation); Mufti Atiqur Rehman (Jamiat-Ulema); Kidar Nath Sahni (Mayor of Delhi); Swami Brahmanand (M.P.); Swami Ved Vyasanand (Gita Ashram); Gurcharan Kaur (Maharani of Nabha): Rev. Kushak Bakula (M.P. – Head Lama, Ladakh); Pir Zamin Nizami (Sufism); Swami Govindanand (Shahanshah Ashram); R.N. Shah (Bahai Faith); Padri Abdul Haq (Christian); Swami Govindaprakash (Ram Tirath Mission); Anand Swami Saraswati (Arya Samaj); Baba Bir Singh Maharaj (Namdhari Sect); and many others.