The New Delhi Declaration of the 2nd ACRP Assembly, 1981
PREAMBLE
The second assembly of the Asian Conference on Religion and Peace (ACRP
II) meeting at New Delhi from 7 to 11 November 1981 is a continuation and
development of the same concern and spirit in which in which religionists
of Asia came to hold the first Asian conference on religion and peace at
Singapore in November 1976 which initiated religious cooperation and common
concern for human destiny in Asia in concrete terms.
In the past five years we grew deeper in our conviction that what binds
us all is more important than what separates us. On the basis of common
experience and strivings in our joint action for the Indo-Chinese refugees,
the Boats People’s project and the Khmer program we came to realize that
dogma divides, service unites.
Our working together in difficult situations has given us the necessary
experience for continuing to work together to solve human problems in the
future with our spiritual traditions. Mutual understanding and respects
among followers of different religions is growing. This is a great step
in the right direction we are now committed to continue our strides on
the path we have chosen to widen the field of mutual understanding and
respect which is the basis for peace
The spectrum of Asian religions –Buddhist, Christians, Confucian, Hindu,
Jain, Jewish, Muslim, Shinto, Sikh, Zoroastrian and others from 16 countries
represented in new Delhi gives us the confidence that our activity will
produce profound results.
Realityof Asia
We, men and women of religion, are gathered here in the midst of human
misery. Agony of suffering echoes throughout Asia. The voices of grief
of those whose human dignity is violated and neglected are uttered wherever
discrimination occurs. The cry of the poverty stricken, the homeless, the
under-privileged, and the oppressed is heard in vain. Human dignity is
not heeded. Social justice is not taken seriously. Violence and conflicts
occur to easily. In Asia, a vicious circle manifest itself in the form
of discrimination, disparity and violence. These three factors found intertwined
anywhere in Asia constitute an intolerable social complex so that we cannot
tackle any one of these problems without at the same time dealing with
the other two.
Here in India, we are confronted with the reality of Asia: The noble and
glorious tradition of the past, overwhelming difficulties of the present,
and the uncertainty of the future.
The suffering of the people is often aggravated by the exploitation by
rich countries and the rivalry and hegemony of big powers
Within each country, the fruits of economic development are not distributed
justly, and the basic needs of the people are not met properly. The arm
race escalates not only between big powers but also among poor countries,
which deprives people of their fair share in national wealth.
The spirituality of Asia
Asia is the main spring and matrix of almost all great religions of the
world. Spirituality which activates the higher nature of humanity abounds
in Asia. It is a force which makes us one in spite of our diversity in
the ways of expressing it. It is an uplifting force of higher quality within
us, which makes ourselves fit and worthy channels for great love and compassion
as witnessed and proclaimed by all religions, as the blessing and gift
from high. We have to proclaim a renewed humanity rooted in spirituality,
in the midst of a spiritual crisis of the acutest kind, which divides the
heart of Asian peoples between materialist tendencies in their way of life
and their craving of human dignity.
Asian spirituality, we have to admit, has often led us into the transcendental
indifference to, and other-wordly escape from, the reality of Asia, thus
serving unwittingly the cause of these status quo. Spirituality, however,
which we are trying to revive through our common prayer and witness is
a strength in the midst of weakness, a hope in the midst of despair, and
a love in the midst of hatred. It has to be channeled into saving and serving
action on the part of those who are activated by it and the test of its
genuineness is to be found in its renewing power of humanization.
Asian spirituality which we witness is a liberating force which enables
us to face the dire reality of Asia and transform it into humane and sustainable
life together.
Spirituality, by its nature, calls for resonance in the heart of humans,
thus uniting them through sharing. Spirituality and community presuppose
each other, community without spirituality is a mere collectivity and spirituality
short of community is an abstract idealism.
Our assembly itself is an actualization of this spiritual community, where
mutual edification, mutual understanding and common sharing are taking
place. We sincerely desire to enlarge this spiritual community at local
,national ,and international levels.
Action for peace
Discrimination
The problem of discrimination is widespread and universal, though it may
vary in form and gravity from country to country, or from place to place
or even from religion to religion. Let us be frank in admitting when we
notice discrimination instead of covering it up. In spite of laws and high-sounding
programmes of governments, discrimination continues against women, racial,
ethnic or despised groups in different countries. There is economic discrimination
by one nation against other, by one group against another, by one individual
against another. Part of such discrimination with its roots in the old
religious traditions, including the caste system, continues even after
people change religion. Some religious missionaries discriminate against
aboriginals and other despised groups. Religious or linguistic minorities
are discriminated against by majorities. All this is part of denial of
human rights in one form or another.
Hence it was felt that:
•an Asian Center for Human Rights be set up to keep a watch and look out
for areas of discrimination and tackling them on the spot;
•mass media be used to emanate the correct type of publicity for raising
world standards and to fight abuse of alcohol, intoxicants and drugs;
•A code of conduct be evolved from the moral teachings of major religions
to promote harmony and the value of human dignity.
Disparity
We emphasize repeatedly our understanding reached in previous conferences,
that the ultimate objective of economic development is human development.
Economic development becomes relevant to this ultimate objective only when
it is based upon the consideration of social justice. As a means to implement
this, it is highly recommendable to adopt a taxation system on international
level by which rich countries submit their due for the benefit of the all
refugees and for that of less developed countries, so that all countries
come to be more interdependent, knowing that their destiny is bound inseparably
with those of other countries
Violence
Having convened ACRP II in a country where the noble tradition of nonviolence
was propounded and practised by such a leader of humankind as Mahatma Gandhi,
we came to a deeper understanding on the nature of violence, whether it
is personal or societal, whether it is overt or covert. Violence begets
violence and feeds on violence. Violence especially when used for selfish
purposes, naturally results in degradation of human dignity of both perpetrators
and the sufferers of violence.
We have to work out as in the case of discrimination, an attitudinal change
through education and other processes, so that people forsake violence
in their approach to solving conflicts. We have also to work out some mechanisms
to contain collective violence, whether military, political or economic,
and reinforce such mechanisms which are existent.
Religion in service
Tension in Asia
We believe and proclaim that Asia needs peace for its reconstruction after
the ruin of centuries, inflicted on its body and soul by foreign imperialist
powers. Hence we urge that the Super Powers abandon forthwith their race
to militarize the Indian and Pacific oceans, not to induct sophisticated
new technology weapons of offence in this region, to contribute at least
one per cent of their GNP to the developing nations for their economic
construction, and to lift trade barriers against their goods—barriers which
are adversely affecting their trade and development.
We also urge upon the religionists of Asia to have a look within and neither
to use religion for political purposes nor allow themselves to be used
for political ends, to initiate an inter-religious dialogue at various
levels and to promote a deeper and creative understanding of their religious
beliefs and customs so as to cope with the challenges of the modern societies,
to do nothing to disparage religious view points held by others, and not
only to fight against war and arms race—particularly of nuclear arms, but
also to emphasize the spirituality in man to lead him on to conciliation
rather than to conflict, whether inter-state, inter-religious or intra-religious.
We emphasize the fraternity and sovereignty of all Asian nations on the
basis of equality and mutual respect and say to all powers with sinister
intentions: “Hands off Asia.”
Education
Education is one of the most promising steps to overcome present and future
difficulties arising from ignorance, misunderstanding, prejudice or superstition.
But it is not a panacea. Education is like a double-edged sword and its
effect comes very slowly; it easily tends to be an instrument of the status
quo. Education for peace backed with religious insight into the nature
of human beings is most desirable.
Education is not solely the matter of school, but is a total process of
a society to transmit its values and cultures to the present as well as
the future generations. This multi-dimensional approach has to be developed
so that people come to acquire more universal, humanitarian values and
ways of thinking, which are conducive to world peace.
Mass Media
Mass media are a powerful instrument of expanding knowledge and information.
At the same time, mass media can be a baneful tool of moral degradation.
To assure a humane use of mass media, it is the responsibility of religion
to imbue them with ethical standards.
In present-day society, mass media make it possible to bind a large number
of people together, to bind group with group, nation with nation, so that
it makes common destiny and solidarity of humankind much closer.
The irresponsible use of mass media has to be watched against for the welfare
of whole humanity.
As an effective means of dissemination, mass media have to be utilised
properly by religion to influence people’s religious sentiment and their
code of conduct and to create sound public Opinion.
Women
We rejoice that ACRP II could have strong and active Women and Youth Wings.
The future of the human race depends upon these two groups. Some women
have risen above the morass of ignorance and subjugation. By and large
the position of women continues to be characterized by disparity, discrimination
and violence in social, economic and political spheres. This half of the
human race must release its potentialities to the full for the future of
humanity.
Youth
Youth constitutes the generation of the future. They are the harbingers
of a coming new world community, the moulding of which will be assisted
by their lofty idealism and a strong sense of justice and self-sacrifice.
For the youth to be effective agents of peace, these youthful virtues have
to be coupled with the awareness of the common problems in Asia.
To develop this awareness, the- youth of the-Asian countries must be encouraged
to have closer relationships and exchange programmess for study and service,
through which they maybe sensitized to the sufferings of Asian people and
come to know the meaning of sharing them in life together.
Truth, Love and Justice
We appreciate that truth, love and justice are advocated by all religions.
Some individuals or groups may interpret religious thought to overshadow
the essence of true religion. So we reassert the importance of these values.
Religion witnesses truth. In proclaiming truth, religion performs the mission
of releasing people from ignorance and promoting the right use of their
knowledge.
Religion witnesses love. To proclaim this love is to practice it. Religion
identifies itself totally with the lowliest, the poorest, and the weakest
of our fellow humans, to whom we religionists owe nothing less than real
love. Religion witnesses justice. Justice is a sine qua non of the community
and life together. Justice flows out of our understanding of the Creator
or the source of our being.
For promotion and sustenance of a just society, continuous light has to
be shed on the essentials of truth and love. Every individual must sincerely,
from day to day, practice his or her religious convictions to mould his
or her life according to these principles. Thence will flow good human
fellowship in the local, national and international fields of human activities.
The theme of collective effort is necessary in this field. Any effort at
the projection of an individual image in public work is bound to meet with
resistance in the present situation in any community. Promotion of team
effort will naturally develop among co-workers the spirit of compassion
and sharing responsibility as well as the fruits of labor. This will in
turn help in the development and maintenance of the necessary link between
different workers and different members of the family to close the employer-employee
and the generation gaps. This will be a step toward promotion of peace
among workers and families, without which talk of peace will be a farce.
OUR HOPE
Religion makes people live by hope, because people of faith are guided
and enlivened by ultimate Hope, even in the face of gloomy realities of
the world. We are enjoined to discern ‘signs of active hope’. These signs
have to be shared by as many people as possible.
We hope:
•to establish an Asian Centre for Human Rights as our concrete action to
eliminate discrimination. This will be under the supervision of ACRP Standing
Commission on Human Rights, to be set up according to the provisions of
the ACRP Constitution;
•to launch development service projects as a joint effort of ACRP religious
groups to help those who are suffering from poverty, hunger and disease
and, for that purpose, to set up an ACRP Peace and Development Fund;
•to strengthen our research and educational efforts for peace, preferably
by setting up a ‘ Centre for Education for Peace, which is to work out
appropriate materials to be made available to ACRP-related religious organizations,
and also to develop concern for peace by setting up a Peace Research Institute
or a study committee under the auspices of the national chapter in each
country;
•to make ACRP an instrument of reconciliation to reduce or solve tensions
in Asia, by activating its Commission on Reconciliation, which is expected
to deal with such crucial matters as the Indo-China situation, Afghanistan
problem, nuclear disarmament, etc.
We underline the statement of Mother Teresa that works of love are works
of peace. We confess that we are not worthy of this noble task of peace
because we, men and women of religion, have Committed, even in the name
of religion the sins of discrimination, disparity, and violence. In all
humbleness, we call upon the power from High to render us more serviceable
to our fellow-beings.
May our hope and prayer for peace be realized, and our unity shown here
be deepened.
New Delhi
11 November 1981
Reports of Commissions and Workshops