Religion or Path

Religion or Path

Question: Is what you teach a religion?

Sri Chinmoy: No, this is not a religion at all. This is a path. This is not like Christianity, or Hinduism, or Buddhism or Islam. People from any religion can walk along a path, whereas a religion is like a house. If you are a Christian you live in Christianity, and if I am a Hindu I live in Hinduism. You may live in a different house from me, but we can both walk along the same path, and our destination can be the same.

(Sri Chinmoy, Aspiration-Glow and Dedication-Flow, part 2, Agni Press, 1977)

Question: Is your path a religion?

 Sri Chinmoy: No, mine is a path. A path cannot be a religion; a path only accepts — gladly accepts — the votaries or followers of all religions. It is a path, therefore, that anybody can follow. People from different countries, different cultures, different backgrounds can walk along the same path, but they perhaps will not be able to follow the same religion. One can walk along the spiritual path regardless of religion, regardless of culture, regardless of his inner and outer growth.

(Sri Chinmoy, Flame-Waves, part 7, Agni Press, 1976)

Question: You say that yours is a path, not a religion. But after the Master leaves, it becomes a religion — like Buddhism, for example — and it stands against other religions.

 Sri Chinmoy: In my case, I only speak about the soul. My philosophy is that the soul is the only reality and at every second we have to listen to our souls. I have not said a word against any religion. On the contrary, I have expressed the greatest love, admiration and adoration for the Saviour Christ, the Buddha, Sri Krishna and the spiritual Masters associated with other religions. So why should my path become a religion and stand against other religions? My writings will make it very, very clear that I was not a man who directly or indirectly tried to establish a new religion. After my departure, the world will see only my creations.

(Sri Chinmoy, Sri Chinmoy answers, part 10, Agni Press, 1999)

All religions must meet together
And surrender to only one religion:
The true love of God.

(Sri Chinmoy, Seventy-Seven Thousand Service-Trees, part 14, Agni Press, 1999)

My love of God
Is my only religion.
I must break through
All my mind-occupied
Religion-curtains.

(Sri Chinmoy, My Christmas-New Year-Vacation Aspiration-Prayers, part 8, Agni Press, 2002)

My ever-blossoming gratitude-heart
I offer
To each and every religion,
While remaining a soulful singer
Of the synthesis of all religions.

(Sri Chinmoy, My religion, Agni Press, 1999)

From all great religions
I have learnt something
Unique.

(Sri Chinmoy, My religion, Agni Press, 1999)

If we truly love God,
We will cherish all religions
In the depth of our heart.

(Sri Chinmoy, Seventy-Seven Thousand Service-Trees, part 15, Agni Press, 1999)

If I truly love God,
I go beyond the boundaries
Of religion
And feel oneness
With all God’s children.

(Sri Chinmoy, Seventy-Seven Thousand Service-Trees, part 15, Agni Press, 1999)

 

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We are all leaves, flowers
And fruits
On the different religion-branches
Of the birthless and deathless
Life-tree.

(Sri Chinmoy)

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