Questions and Activities
What are the key values intrinsic to Indian culture that enable it to welcome people of different backgrounds?
Indian culture holds several deep-rooted values that have historically made it a place of refuge and acceptance.
1. Vasudhaiva kutumbakam — 'The whole world is family': From the Hitopadesha. India's practice of giving shelter to Jews, Parsis, Syriac Christians, Tibetans, and others shows this is not merely a slogan.
2. Atithi devo bhava — 'A guest is like God': Guests and strangers seeking shelter are treated with reverence, not suspicion.
3. Sarve bhavantu sukhinah — 'May all creatures be happy': A universal wish for the well-being of all, not just one's own group.
4. Karuna (compassion) and ahimsa (non-violence): Central to India's civilisational heritage, these values underpin the acceptance of persecuted communities.
5. The Buddhist ideal of loving-kindness: The Karaniya Metta Sutta expresses cherishing all living beings with a boundless heart.
6. Peaceful coexistence of diverse faiths: India allowed communities to practise their own religions freely — synagogues, fire temples, churches, and monasteries all coexisted.
Answer: India's key welcoming values are vasudhaiva kutumbakam (the whole world is family), atithi devo bhava (a guest is like God), sarve bhavantu sukhinah (may all be happy), karuna and ahimsa, the Buddhist ideal of loving-kindness, and a tradition of allowing all faiths to be practised freely.