This document discusses appreciating religious diversity from an inclusivist perspective. It presents the view that while all religions are not the same, they share the common purpose of spiritual realization. It quotes Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura advocating developing greater attachment to one's own faith while respecting other faiths, as God can be realized through different forms. The document suggests exclusivist statements aim to inspire focus rather than impose monopoly, and pluralist statements accommodate different views, while inclusivism sees religions as different levels on one path of spiritual progress. Religions should put God first rather than existing for their own sake.

1. Appreciating
religious diversity
amidst spiritual
universality

2. Spiritual universality
Jiva: There is more to life than this lifetime
Jagat: This world is a station, not a
destination
Jagadisha: There is some higher reality
that sources and sustains visible reality

3. Features of perennial philosophy
Head: Appreciation of the
eternal
Heart: Attraction to the
eternal

4. “The Bhagavad-gita is the most systematic
statement of spiritual evolution of endowing
value to mankind. It is one of the most clear
and comprehensive summaries of perennial
philosophy ever revealed; hence its enduring
value is subject not only to India but to all of
humanity.”
 - Aldous Huxley

5. Matters that matter more than matter
Origin
Value
Purpose

6. Harmony amidst multiculturalism
The world needs deeper
religion, not lesser religion
Not religious apathy, but
religious spirituality

8. Appreciating religious diversity
“When we have occasion to be present at the place of
worship of other religionists at the time of their worship,
we should stay there in a respectful mood, contemplating
thus: 'Here is being worshiped my adorable highest entity
God, in a different form than that of mine. Due to a
different practice of a different kind, I cannot thoroughly
comprehend this system of theirs. But seeing it, I am
feeling a greater attachment for my own system. God is
one. I bow down before His emblem as I see here and
offer my prayer to my Lord who has adopted this
different emblem so that He may increase my love
toward Him in the form that is acceptable for me.”

9. Appreciating religious diversity
“But seeing it, I am feeling a greater
attachment for my own system. God is one.
I bow down before His emblem as I see here
and offer my prayer to my Lord who has
adopted this different emblem so that He
may increase my love toward Him in the
form that is acceptable for me.”
– Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura

10. Diversity is irreducible, but not irreconcilable
All religions are not the
same; they have the same
purpose
Eg Traffic rules: India & USA

11. Approaches To Religion
 Exclusivism – The Only Way
 Pluralism - All Paths Are Right
 Inclusivism – One Way With Many Levels;
Progressive

12. Exclusivist statements
Meant to inspire focus, not
impose monopoly
Eg doctor – confused patient

13. Pluralist statements
Acknowledges lived reality
Accommodates people of
different mentalities, cultures,
levels

14. Inclusivist statements
One path for raising
human consciousness
from material level to
spiritual level

15. Metaphors for inclusivism
Mountain-climbing
University
Hospital

16. Put first things first
Religion is meant for God;
God is not meant for religion
Gita 18.66: Focus on purpose,
not process