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Conflict resolution and Hinduism - Page 2

In Rao’s opinion, Hinduism’s emphasis on Dharma, Karma and Satyagraha all provide potent tools for resolving conflicts. He explained the three principles as the following: Dharma, which understood variously as the moral order, a principle that binds us all, righteousness, etc.; Karma, emphasizing the inevitability of the consequences of one’s actions, tolerance and non-violence; and Satyagraha, truth force, or passive resistance.

In analyzing the application of Hindu religious traditions in conflict resolution, Rao emphasizes the scholarly opinion that “the relativism of Dharma supports both tradition and modernity, innovation and conformity.”

Among other things, the main teachings of Hinduism, according to Rao, include the following components:

• an emphasis on suffering, impermanence and contingency;
• every act is suffused with spirituality and is meant to enable one to realize one’s self;
• self-effacement, not self-assertion, is taught;
• emphasis on acceptance of different world views, ways of living and preferences, seeing them as a part of cosmic evolution of all forms of life on earth; and
• the doctrine of Karma with its emphasis on the consequences of our actions.

Some tenets of Hinduism are at odds with Western culture’s emphasis on the equality of all humans at birth and individualism without concern for obligations to the greater community. According to Rao, in traditional Hindu thinking this is reversed, with the identity being experienced as collective and one’s duties or rights premised on the contributions to the social and cosmic order.

“A middle way needs to be found between recognition of the plurality and distinctiveness on one hand and the equality of human beings on the other,” he said. “How can we yoke the resources of Hinduism for addressing issues of conflict resolution? We need to look at the opportunities it provides,” he said, “there are a lot of Hindu teachings that enable people to resolve conflicts.”

Rao cites Mohandas Karamchand (Mahatma) Gandhi’s use of non-violent resistance as addressing conflict resolution from the Hindu perspective. “His use of non-violent resistance was successful in showing the world an alternative to violence and armed conflict,” Rao said.

He is, however, fully aware than not everyone in India will be excited about invoking Hindu teachings for conflict resolution. Several aspects of Hinduism are sublime and edifying. Several others, such as the concept of Karma with its emphasis on reaping the consequences of one’s actions, have engendered widespread feelings of apathy and callousness. Rao suggests that to use Hinduism for conflict resolution, its main concepts have to be creatively reinterpreted to emphasize notions of equality, fairness, harmony and social justice. He is also aware that issues of enforceability and popular acceptance of Hindu principles have to be adequately addresses. Yes, he believes that conflict resolution from a Hindu perspective—at least for less complex cases—is an idea worth exploring.

As part of his research into conflict resolution, Rao attended a program sponsored by the Dispute Resolution Institute of Hamline University School of Law, held in Budapest. The Dispute Resolution Institute (DRI) offers academic discourse, hands-on simulation experience, and cross-disciplinary examination of ADR themes in domestic and summer abroad courses for law students, lawyers and other professionals.

Because of his participation, he was asked to share his research with a global audience by making a presentation at the “Conflict Resolution from Religious Traditions” seminar last December through January, a joint venture between Hamline University and Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The program focused on the concepts and methods that diverse religious communities use to resolve conflicts. His presentation, “Conflict Resolution in Hinduism: Challenges and Opportunities,” was attended by students of law from the U.S. and Australia, and featured scholars with expertise in law and the Jewish, Christian, Islamic, and Hindu traditions. Rao has been approached about continuing his relationship with Hamline University and the DRI.