Universality

By universality, the Founder means its primary sense only, that is, a complete absence of the idea that one person is different from another exactly similar person merely because they belong to different religions. Universality, to be effective, must be the supreme quality of one’s entire vision and integral outlook, supported by a deep belief and conviction in its highest value. It should not arise from policy, temporary acceptance, or illusion created for some specific purpose.

The differences, feelings of superiority and inferiority, prejudices and preconceptions, likes and dislikes that arise because people follow different religions must be uprooted, wiped out, annihilated, and completely forgotten, as though they never existed.

The Founder once brought about reconciliation between Hindus and Muslims over a mosque issue at Nasik within a few hours, a dispute that had caused unrest among the public and the government for 12 to 15 years. This was possible because the Founder lived with a universal outlook in every moment of his life after 1932, and because he followed Mai-ism, a path where universal-mindedness is the foremost commandment.

Only true love and a genuine spirit of universal brotherhood can create love and universal brotherhood. Nature cannot be deceived.

Mere slogans like “We are all brothers; let us live as brothers” do not touch the inner chord closest to the divine within each person. One who speaks of brotherhood must have truly lived that spirit as the guiding principle of life for many years before calling upon it in times of need.

The spiritual force of a truly universal-minded person is far more powerful than life-force, will-force, or even soul-force. Its strength comes from the Divine itself, because such a person has already dedicated their life to serving the highest and noblest welfare of all humanity.