By Kesava Krsna Dasa
There has been an unfortunate resurgence of xenophobic attacks in South Africa. Leaders condemn these; Media outlets sensationally convey coverage to the world and people become more sceptical. Nations whose citizens are affected by xenophobic attacks voice loud concerns through channels such as the African Union. Yet in spite of the condemnation, the important questions to ask are ‘Why is this happening?’ Why here in South Africa? Is there a solution? Is there a quick fix?’
It has been reported that economic problems cause alienation towards foreigners – the taking away of local jobs, black-market trading gaps filled in by opportunists, and other factors. Reports also reveal criminal elements looting or taking over lucrative trade spots vacated by foreigners forced to leave. Social viewpoints highlight underdeveloped sectors of society that are melting pots for strife and violence. There are questions aplenty and little resolution, except to inform and educate.
It is a common sense approach to simply say, “We are all part of humanity, so don’t treat your brothers and sisters like this… everyone has a right to life and to earn a living… by doing such things you are giving South Africa a bad reputation”. But will such admonitions help? How far will ‘common sense’ go in preventing xenophobia?
From a Vedic perspective, any attempts at solution making based on ‘common sense’ advice will not solve the problem, for they are surface-deep reactionary responses only. Reactive appeals for calm responses and behaviour will not stem the underlying, festering mistrust that encourages political opportunism and populist points scoring. There has to be a proactive way of dealing with this problem and the Vedic solution helps us goes far deeper.
The Vedic concept of life is that all living creatures have a right to life, not just humans. There is undoubtedly extra importance attached to human life, but when humanity loses touch with who we are and to whom we all belong, severe social cracks appear in forms we see today, and not just in South Africa alone. Who we are and to whom we all belong has a depth that can proactively prevent the need for reactive measures that only temporarily work.
Presently, people are used to the idea that other human beings are intrinsically identified with the colour of skin, ethnicity, nationality, language and other barriers to peaceful coexistence. A strong fixation on these surface-deep identities inevitably arouse friction and competitiveness. We see similar behaviour done in the animal kingdom, because animals know no better than beyond personal interests – the species they belong to is the best.
When people act and behave in like manner, the results we read and hear about are hardly surprising. This strongly suggests that education for the masses has to go deeper to the level of our real identities as soul brothers and sisters, regardless of skin colour and nationality with cultural differences. The “Rainbow Nation” concept is supposed to celebrate our differences in harmony.
Unless humanity is taught that we share a common father, be it God or His many names, this unifying proactive gel on social cohesion will slacken with the surface depth of convenient coexistence based on seeing everyone else as really different. Unity in diversity “Rainbow Nation” concepts have already been espoused, but how to achieve this in lasting ways has eluded many.
To put matters more succinctly, we all have to learn and know that we are not these bodies and identities that we are so proud of and present to the world as unique. This is asking for trouble because anyone else who does not fit our ideals is alien, foreigners included. This applies to those who see their own religion as the best, their own race as the best, their own nationality as the best, and so on. We need to take a giant leap in proactive education for real. Once we begin to recognise that we are souls within this body, that we are all part and parcel of our Divine Father and relate with one another on this basis, then can we really progress towards a better more peaceful society.
Ys Kesava Krsna Dasa – GRS
One of the most often quoted verses of the Bhagavad Gita is Chapter 5, verse 29:
Krishna is the ultimate purpose of all sacrifices and austerities, He is the Lord and Creator of all the worlds, and He is the dearmost Friend of all living beings…knowing this (Krishna is the Enjoyer, the Creator, and the dearmost Friend of all living beings)…one can attain peace and relief from material misery.
The conditioned souls are motivated by lust, anger, and greed. People are looked upon as both exploiters and the exploited. Their desire for material development is not to sacrifice or offer to God, but for selfish purposes. Living in ignorance, there can never be peace. We know the history of South Africa, one of deprivation for the African population. In the 1970s when I was there, about 1 in 5 of the 20 million people was of European descent and 4 of 5 were African. The ratio in Rhodesia was even more dramatic with 1 in 20 people being European and 19 in 20 African. There was naturally alot of resentment that built up, and when these countries transformed (for the most part peacefully) into countries ruled by the majority Africans, the pendulum swung to the opposite end. It is not unexpected in a materially driven oppressive society. Now, Kesava Krishna das is appealing for unity in diversity. It is a plea that we see also in the United States, where race relations have been poor lately. There is little doubt that material opportunities are greater or lesser in different countries. I remember in about 1973 when Janakaraj das brahmachary and I would do Nama Sankirtan on the streets of downtown Capetown, and I would give a brief speech that we are neither black nor white but rather all spirit souls, with a common father, it was a great relief to the African crowds. However, we can only be responsible for our selves, and hope that those around us will also be inclined to live in God consciousness. We do not find any society in the world that is free from prejudice whether it be religious, racial, or other. Srila Prabhupad often would say that “this material world is not fit for a gentleman to live in, thus go back to Godhead.” It is realistic and good advice, and the bhaktas remain so merciful to try to bring the conditioned souls to Krishna consciousness. Pusta Krishna das
Identifying to one’s temporary body, one’s place of birth, one’s citizenship, etc. and ignoring one’s spiritual identity as spirit soul and eternal servant of God is certainly the main cause of disharmony in society.
yasyātma-buddhiḥ kuṇape tri-dhātuke
sva-dhīḥ kalatrādiṣu bhauma ijya-dhīḥ
yat-tīrtha-buddhiḥ salile na karhicij
janeṣv abhijñeṣu sa eva go-kharaḥ
“A human being who identifies this body made of three elements with his self, who considers the by-products of the body to be his kinsmen, who considers the land of birth worshipable, and who goes to the place of pilgrimage simply to take a bath rather than meet men of transcendental knowledge there, is to be considered like an ass or a cow. (Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.84.13)