.jpg "Communication, Interpersonal interaction, Exchange of ideas, Understanding, Respect, Collaboration, Listening, Empathy, Diversity, Mutual growth, Acceptance, Conflict resolution, Bridge-building, Cultural exchange, Perspective sharing,")
The third prerequisite for a meaningful dialogue is to avoid making assumptions or preconceived notions. It is important to approach the conversation with an open mind and not take anything for granted or consider anything non-negotiable. Dialogue does not always mean reaching an agreement; it is meant to uncover areas of agreement and disagreement. This process allows us to reflect on the relative value of our collective agreements and differences and determine which ones are more significant.
Therefore, the fourth and final requirement is that dialogue participants should speak honestly and openly, not only about what they have in common but also about their differences. While shared experiences help bring people together, differences can raise questions. One crucial question is, with our varying beliefs and practices, who among us is right? A less critical question could be, does every disagreement have only one correct answer? Instead of thinking in terms of "right" or "wrong," it may be more practical and beneficial to embrace the idea of "different." Perhaps we are all just different, with no single entity holding a monopoly on truth. It could be that we all seek the same truth, but it manifests differently when expressed through ideas, symbols, words, and rituals.
In a speech delivered by Swami Vivekananda in Boston in 1896, he expressed, "Truth may be expressed in a thousand ways, and each one yet be true. We must learn that the same thing can be viewed from a hundred different angles, and yet be the same thing" (As reported in the Boston Evening Paraphrase, March 30, 1896). Even though different perspectives may not look identical, they may still be representative of the same underlying reality. Just as photographs of a structure taken from different angles all capture different aspects of the same building, the various interpretations or abstract representations we have about God may be different facets of the same divine essence. Similar questions gain significance in an interreligious dialogue. Each person should be free to ask any question, to themselves or others, and everyone should have the freedom to choose the answer that resonates with their intellect and heart.
Benefits of a Successful Dialogue
A successful dialogue brings several advantages. One notable benefit is an improved understanding of "the other." Often, we discover that our deep-seated biases and prejudices were not based on reality. This realization helps eliminate unnecessary distrust, misperceptions, and even animosity. Dialogue brings people together and fosters warmth when individuals recognize each other as fellow human beings. It becomes harder to harbor animosity towards a religion when we personally know warm, intelligent, and considerate people who practice it. On a larger scale, dialogue promotes social harmony and peace within a community.
Another benefit lies in the religious realm. Engaging in interreligious dialogue allows us to recognize the unique contributions that each religion can offer to the world. Despite the existence of numerous religious beliefs, many faiths not only survive but thrive because they possess something valuable and necessary for our world. Engaging in interreligious dialogue enriches our own understanding of our respective religious traditions. Witnessing the diverse ways in which the power of the divine operates in the world can be an endless source of inspiration.
Surprisingly, interreligious dialogue often provides us with a deeper understanding of our own religion. Exploring ideas or concepts from other religions may trigger a remembrance of ideas or concepts within our own tradition. By placing these ideas side by side and studying them, employing both faith and reason, we can gain a profound understanding of both perspectives. This comparative study is immensely enriching and fulfilling.
While each religion is complete in itself, offering its followers the highest fulfillment, engaging in interreligious dialogue allows us to explore new tools that can enhance our own spiritual lives. For example, prayer as an act of connecting with the divine is common to most religious.