Dr. Isujung Kark-Religious leaders can play an important role in conflict resolution. Values, including forgiveness and reconciliation, in religious texts and teachings can lead religious communities to change attitudes and actions at a fundamental level. Religious gurus can play a role in preventing religious, social and ethnic harmony and resolving it if it is disturbed.
Religious gurus serve their religious community by reciting sacred texts. Religious gurus have the power to influence behavior, and attitudes, and raise awareness to shape social values in line with the teachings of their religion. Religious advocacy and counseling in peacebuilding is always non-violent, and usually focuses on empowerment and the promotion of human rights.
They can not only continue the tradition of worship and rituals but also play a role in changing the society according to time. Emphasis on moral values and changes in behavior can help to improve the environment, dress, food, lifestyle and cleanliness.
There are also examples of religious leaders contributing to social and religious harmony and peace in different parts of the world by resolving caste differences and religious conflicts.
Although religious leaders can play an important role in provoking or preventing violence, and in maintaining bad feelings or trying to prevent reoccurrence, religious leaders must be committed to peace, forgiveness and truth. Keshav Prasad Chaulagai wrote in Gorkhapatra, “Intercultural tolerance for peace, justice and reconciliation has brought positive results in practice as a result of the research, so language and culture seem to be the main basis for it. Analyzing the situation in Nepal, which is moving forward based on multilingual, multicultural and multi-religious practices, it is clear that there is a basis for social tolerance and unity.
There can be many reasons for conflict
Social, religious, political and economic, geographical dissatisfaction, discrimination, hatred, ignorance, arrogance, corruption, bad governance, poverty and inequality etc. Sometimes in our country too, ignorance, religious bigotry, extremism and political reasons have been used to incite and excite the religious community. are It is sometimes said that foreign powers have strengthened their interests by waging a religious war in Nepal, but it is wrong to say that all Nepalis are misled. Our multi-religious, multi-ethnic country is restrained as it is a country of tolerance and harmony since tradition. According to Dr. Vishnuraj Upreti, “Ethnic and religious questions are very sensitive and personal, so the practice of abusing them politically should be stopped immediately.”
Especially in the state, religious and other social activists can moderate the religious community and create an environment of communication.
Religious leaders warn parties, politicians and elites who incite conflict, inviting them to come to their senses and resolve their differences through peaceful discussion. They advise communities to avoid conflict and promote coexistence and peace. Religious leaders can call upon the concerned parties as mediators for conflict resolution. Matthew 5:9: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. Likewise, in almost all scriptures there is reconciliation, love, peace, and forgiveness.”
After becoming a secular state, there has been a decrease in politics in the name of religion or under the guise of religion. Although the state is secular, the constitution guarantees individual faith and religious freedom. To interfere with one’s religious beliefs is to disturb social peace
The number of non-religious people in Nepal is small, but most have some form of religious belief. Religious gurus are attached to every family from birth to death. Religious communities have their own values. Even those who do not follow religion seem to be following religious rites and festivals. Those who called religious education bourgeois and meaningless in the past have started to feel that morality is necessary for the present generation. The importance of religious education is increasing in the improvement of morals, habits and mental and physical balance and discipline in life.
Some traditional harmful practices, superstitions, bad practices are common problems of our society. Efforts are being made to reduce it from time to time and religious leaders are also helping for that. Gender and caste discrimination, untouchability and all kinds of inhumane and violent things are gradually decreasing. The level of awareness and education among people is increasing. Hemant Malla “In order to increase awareness and tolerance between different religions and communities in the society, each community should keep information about the religious beliefs, customs and culture of different religions and communities. For that, it is necessary to include various religions and cultures in the school curriculum. This helps to increase the respect and tolerance of people from other communities towards the diversity of society, religion, culture and each other’s faith from a young age. It helps mutual harmony. “
The power in the religious community can be used for public good. No one should spread any illusion of superstition. Instead, emphasis should be placed on peace and social unity.
The religious sphere should not be neglected. In some countries, there are religious ministries and religious commissions. After the secularization of Nepal, even though the state has become rigid in the matter of religion, it is appropriate to have a religious commission keeping in mind the meaning and potential of the religious community.
In Nepal, when there is conflict for any reason, religious leaders do not seem to raise an organized voice to play their role. Due to the lack of generosity, education and interest of religious leaders, they could not become active. However, the efforts made by organizations such as the Inter-Religious Council and Inter-Religious Network (NIRAN) to end the bad practices in the society, to promote religious harmony and in the sporadic incidents that have occurred in Nepal are commendable.
