Ego should be blasted out, says swamiji

CHENNAI: Creating awareness about inter-religious co-operation was the focus at the interfaith programme organised at Oxford in the United Kingdom. Leading world religious leaders from all faiths and from about 20 diverse countries such as Australia, France, Germany, India, Israel, Sudan, UK and USA discussed interfaith issues in this forum. His Holiness Sri Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji of Jagadguru Sri Madhwacharya Moola Maha Samsthanam, in Udupi, Karnataka, was one of the key speakers at this event. Speaking at the event, the Swamiji emphasised the importance of freedom to practise one’s religious faith without any disturbances or hindrances.“According to me, inter-religious friendship means freedom, respect and co-operation. ‘The world is created not only for me but for all similar beings as well’— this message must be taught by all religious leaders along with their inherent religious teachings, then inter-religious friendship is can be established,” he said. He added that the preaching of religious leaders should diminish the ego of their followers and make them more open-minded rather than fuelling the ego of their followers in a false direction. He says, “Ego should be ‘blasted out’ rather than ‘boosted up.’”