#bidar

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The world's first Parliament of Religions...

On 11th September, 1893, the modern world's first Parliament of Religions was convened in Chicago, in order to create "a global dialogue of faiths." In that parliament, Hinduism was represented by a young monk we all know as Swami Vivekananda. When called to the podium, Swami Vivekananda mentally prayed to Goddess Saraswati to get rid of his nervousness, and then began his speech with the salutation, "Sisters and brothers of America!". To these words, he got a standing ovation which lasted for a full two minutes. When silence was restored, he greeted America, the youngest of the nations, on behalf of "the most ancient order of monks in the world, the Vedic order of sannyasins, a religion which has taught the world both tolerance and universal acceptance!"

Exactly 100 years later, in 1993, again in Chicago, a centenary parliament was convened, followed by one every five years or so - in 1999 in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2004 in Barcelona, Spain, in 2009 in Melbourne, Australia, in 2014 in Brussels, Belgium and in 2018, in Toronto, Canada.

But do you know where the first ever Parliament of Religions was held? In a place called Kalyan or Basavakalyan, in Bidar district of modern day Karnataka, in the 12th century. Therein lies a tale.

By the middle of the first millennium of Anno Domini, ie. by the 5th-6th centuries AD, Hinduism vied with Buddhism and Jainism to remain as the dominant religion in the country. However, by then, it had lost its fluidity. It has become rigid, with its uncompromising rules and water-tight hierarchies. It was relevant only to the Brahmin and Kshatriya castes - a small percentage of the population. The majority - lower castes, the casteless untouchables and women - probably found Hinduism stifling and not liberating. Buddhism and Jainism had fewer entry barriers, but their strict austerities were not easy to follow. In this context, The Bhakti movement took birth and provided a solution to the masses.

The Bhakti movement, which began around the 8th century AD and continued well into the 15-17th centuries, was a breath of fresh air into Hinduism. First of all, it was an inclusive movement. It was not restricted to the "classes"; the "masses" could participate. Second, it emphasized on an individual relationship with God, using the most basic of human assets - emotions, rather than on complicated rituals and rites, that needed specialized knowledge. It created saints out of cobblers, potters and untouchables - both men and women.

One such prominent social reformer, poet, philosopher and statesman was Basavanna, also called Basaveshwara, of the 12th century Karnataka.

Basava was born in 1105 AD in a Brahmin family in Northern Karnataka. He rose to become the Chief Minister in King Bijjala's Court. As chief minister of the kingdom, Basavanna used the state treasury to initiate social and religious reforms. One of the many initiatives he undertook was the setting up of the Anubhava Mantapa, widely regarded as the World's first Parliament of Religions, in Basavakalyan.

Mantapa = Assembly or Pavilion; Anubhava = Spiritual experience

The Anubhava Mantapa was a center where spritual experiences were shared by all and sundry. It was a public assembly which attracted men and women across various walks of life, from distant lands to openly discuss spiritual, economic and social issues of life.

It was an academy of mystics, saints and philosophers, called Sharanas. It was presided over by the mystic Allama Prabhu. Other giants like Akka Mahadevi, Channabasavanna and Basavanna himself were participants. The Anubhava Mantapa worked to build a vibrant casteless, creedless society. The Sharanas belonged to all strata of the society.

The main mode of exchange of ideas was through Vachana Sahitya. Vachana literally means - that which is said. In practice, however, they are prose texts - simple to understand, rhythmic poetry.

Great deal of importance was given to dignity of labor and equality of all segments of the society. One of Basavanna's most famous Vachanas is Kaayakave Kailasha - which actually means Work is Worship. Kaayaka = Work; Kailasha = Path to salvation.

This Parliament of Religions also had its own charter. Below is a summary of its founding principles.

The Anubhava Mantapa gave rise to a system of ethics and education, at once simple and exalted. It sought to inspire ideals of social and religious freedom. It even created in a sect of people called Lingayats, who are a significant part of the socio-cultural fabric of Karnataka even today.

Unfortunately, the spirit of the Anubhava Mantapa was crushed when an inter-caste marriage that Basava facilitated was annulled and the couple were punished for the same by the King. Basava's dream of the classless society was shaken as he resigned as Chief Minister in protest and died an year later.

The Anubhava Mantapa still exists in Basavakalyan.

Basava, the Anubhava Mantapa and the Sharana movement were displayed on the Karnataka tableau on 26th January, 2020, as a part of the Republic Day celebrations.