INTERFAITH SERVICE TO MARK WORLD HIV/AIDS DAY 2015

December 01, 2015

Introduction

It affects the victims physically and mentally and traumatizes them as well. We, their dear ones are
also ensnared is this dilemma since we are resolute that we ought to share their pains, discomfort
and uncertainty.
It also has no parameters, restrictions nor boundaries. Regardless of your religion, creed, race,
gender or age, anyone could be prey of it if the preventative guidance is not comprehensively
adhered to. Really it cannot be seen, readily detected or destroyed. But we are all aware of the fact
that it is capable of even destroying millions of innocent folks without actual wars or precipitated
violence. This we call in abbreviated form AIDS which is caused by the virus HIV-1.

Even where culture and religion are central, the stigma of it adds an extra encumbrance to families,
friends and individuals with HIV.

Questions
As a civilization we are compelled to demonstrate our demanding and challenging roles with those
who have contracted this disease:
i) What would you do if you found out today or tomorrow you are HIV positive?
ii) How would you react if a family member contracted the virus and was diagnosed with few
days/years left to live?
iii) What would you do and should you do if you learnt that there are persons known or
unknown to you have the disease?
iv) How would you want persons to treat you if you found out that youre HIV positive?

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Point 1
According to Sanatan Dharma (Hinduism), we are taught to live by the principle:

Sanskrit Verse:

.
..


Ayam Nijah Paro veti | Gaan Laghucetasm || Udracaritnm Tu | Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam ||

Translation:
This person is my kin and that one is alien such a thought occurs only to the narrow-minded people.

To the broad-minded person the whole world is one global family.

From this principle and position as Hindus, we operate within the framework of broadmindedness, patience and tolerance and therefore, must treat our brothers and sisters across the
global village with equal love and care as we would treat our own (biological ones) but even so,
those agonized with HIV/AID with extreme love, care, fortitude, tolerance and more so
acceptance.
By this nobility and broad minded expression we would not discriminate with our HIV/AIDS
affected brothers and sisters but instead we would clasp them closer in our hearts. Hence, our
approach towards this universal concern would be uniform and we never partisan.
Those of us who live life as such, would surely enthuse and motivate them (our mentally

devastated brothers and sisters) to conduct themselves and feel like anyone of us i.e. a typical
human being.

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Point 2
Dharma, Religions and Faiths are diverse in their experience and realities, however, they subscribe
to similar intentions, services and amenities to humanity. In spite of diverse philosophies, we all
have one common platform and i.e.:

A fundamental credence, respect and esteem for the unique human values, human dignity and
human commitment.
These human values (as we are aware of them), the dignity and commitment must be the core of
our perseverance as we mark World Aids Day 2015 in demonstrating solidarity, commonality and
cohesion with them (our affected brothers and sisters).
HIV is a critical test for our confidence and our commitment to building a sustainable community
and a full life since HIV is rooted not merely in health and the physical sphere but also in life
styles, social perspectives, attitudes and individual behavior practices. So care and love them!

Point 3

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said:

Stigma around the disease can only be overcome if religious leaders speak about it openly
We are all here today at this Interfaith Service to console and support them and pray for and with
them as one way of demonstrating out concerns and friendship for them. As Hindus, we are of the
opinion that HIV/AIDS is not a form of rebuke for the victim, but an opportunity for us as a
global community to express what a true human being must be.

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Since 1981 Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati (a Hindu philanthropist in Florida) said:

AIDS is my heart because many people have no one. AIDS is not a death sentence. With
proper care and proper belief in oneself, it doesnt have to kill. With proper medication,
supplements and vitamins, a person can live.
But they cannot live if they are not loved.
Our Scholars of Sanatan Dharma therefore, gives Divine teachings against stigmatization and
discrimination. We must therefore focus on the teachings common to all religions viz., love,
compassion, service, kindness and mercy. Demonstrate these virtues to our brothers and sisters
who have contracted this lethal infection.
Point 4

JVR Prasada Rao, Director UNAIDS Support Team for Asia and the Pacific said,
Hindu religious leaders play a big role in our efforts to reverse the epidemic.
The HIV/AIDS crisis has brought us together and even stronger. We need to share knowledge,
understanding and experience from our various religious communities so that our efforts become
more and more effective.

Swami Vivekananda said,

The poor, the illiterate, the ignorant, the afflicted let these be your Gods; know that service to
them alone is the highest religion
Through this, we unite as a global community to establish a stronger culture of interfaith cooperation, which will balance the individual interest of our religions with the interest of our
societies while focusing on our common values, human dignity and human commitment.

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Point 5
What are our roles in this context? How can you help someone who is living with HIV/AIDS?
From the Hindu perspective:

i) Be a true friend;
ii) Take them to Mandir;
iii) Remind them to take medication on time and practice Yoga;
iv) Encourage them to attend clinic, counseling, and support groups;
v) Help them to find things to do that will make them happy and keep them from getting
depressed thoughts;
vi) Be aware of your own feelings if you are angry or scared you will not be able to provide
loving support and may cause more harm;
vii) Be genuinely interested in helping;
viii) If you are not a relative, then offer emotional support to the family; and
ix) You can also find other ways of helping them to stay healthy and feel happy.

Conclusions
The World Health Organization (WHO) in collaboration with other international agencies saw it
fit to arrange Interfaith Ceremonies as one activity as part of a series of activities to mark World
AIDS Day 2015 and we join with them and commit our support on this occasion.
What must be our sincere resolutions as I conclude?

i) All humans are equal. We are brothers and sisters. Thus, we should treat each other with
mutual care and respect regardless of social status, faith, gender or life style;

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ii) We should speak openly about the basic facts of the HIV/AIDS crisis and about all
effective means of prevention and probably for the future, a universal cure;
iii) Young people are especially vulnerable to the HIV/AIDS crisis. We, as religious
communities, must therefore provide genuine concern, guidance and support for survival
and wellbeing of our future generation.
iv) We stand united with those who are living with the virus, those who mourn and those who
are declining together with their families and communities;
v) We pledge to serve and nurture the children of those who have been infected and affected
by HIV/AIDS;
vi) We need to end the silence of stigma, denial and fear about HIV/AIDS and practically
embrace those who have become victims of our ignorance and apathy.

Prathana:

AUM O Devas, May we Hear with our Ears what is Auspicious,

May we See with our Eyes what is Auspicious and Adorable,
May we be Prayerful (in Life) with Steadiness in our Bodies (and Minds),
May we Offer our Lifespan allotted by the Devas (for the Service of Bhagvanji and Humanity),

Krishn Sharma
November 28, 2015
JAI HO!

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