A Hindu Perspective by Balliram Chadee. P.hD.

www.thehanumanmission.com. bally@thehanumanmission.com or Bally 416-992-2487.

Question: Progress or Competition: An Ethical Perspective. How do you see it?

  Ans : As we near towards the end of 2007, it gives us an opportunity to reflect on some of the achievements, challenges or failures we have encountered; professionally and socially. One of the viewpoints which seemed to have been asked a lot lately, deals with our community and the Ethical Perspective of Progress vs. Competition. As Hindus, we have always been taught to follow the laws of Ethics and Integrity, a fundamental code of conduct embedded in Sanatan Dharma. With growth comes change and with change, usually comes progress, resulting in variety. The question today deals with progress or is it competition? How do you see it as a Hindu? Over the years in this great city of us, we have seen growth and emergence of organizations and groups including but not limited to West Indian Media, Shops, Businesses and Temples , as well as other social groups. Many good efforts and intentions are fostered. Tremendous energy is executed to assist the under privileged, less fortunate, the hungry, thirsty, the helpless, homeless and those lacking spiritual and religious teachings. Various people of different social, religious and spiritual status, from a variety of financial, political and corporate entities have risen to the cause, for many reasons. Many are for their own agendas, objectives and gains, yet an abundance do so for selfless gains, expecting nothing in return, giving rather than getting, serving unlike receiving and offering without wanting. As a Hindu, it is a spiritual mandate to be involved in charitable work as one of the fundamental principles of Sanatan Dharma. Service to man is service to God . Using one's own hands for service to mankind, has been proven to yield much more results and returns on investment (spiritual, economical and personal) than just signing a cheque. Money can buy most things, not everything , as we have all seen. So why do we engage in unethical practices? Why do we have to “back-bite” others to rise? Why do we believe we have to “cut throat” to succeed? Why do we ride on others in order to win?

In Ramayana (Hindu Sacred Text), we see that Ethics, Morality, Sincerity and Integrity were codes of conducts; milestones of conformance and standards by which mankind abided for a prosperous and successful life. Why is it so difficult today to abide by these same codes of conducts? Why can't people with a common objective, be supportive of each other? Why can't we accept our shortfalls and inadequacies and allow others who are successful to do so? We all hear stories from people who provide their feedback or anger, even my own experiences with people I deal with, as we watch our community and see the attitudes and competitiveness, we have to wonder. Is this the price of Progress or is this Competition ? I have seen such attitudes and “dog eat dog” style behaviors by so many, it is a shameful acceptance sometimes to admit you know some of the players. For the sake of a dollar, we see conduct and attitudes flip in minutes. How can we profess to be ethical people when we engage in such behaviors? We saw when all of the divine personalities admitted to Hanumanji that they were “incapable” of conducting Shree Ram's duty to cross the ocean and locate Mother Sita. They admitted their shortfalls and encouraged Hanumanji, who they all knew was the only capable one, to undertake the endeavor. They supported his courage and abilities. We see so much competition today because of money and power where friends become enemies, family become strangers and colleagues become rivals. You know many as I do. Why? Does it have to be like this? Is there no other way? Hindu rituals and rights during devotion teach us to be humble, serene and accommodating. Let us all reflect on our lives especially as we end the year. Let us embark on our ideas, businesses and aspirations, but with integrity and ethical standards. Making a quick buck is good, but not at the expense of someone else. Competition is good for growth, but when growth becomes competition , and compromises our ethics and integrity, it is time for a reality check . Look at some of the unique characters in the Holy Scriptures; Shabari, Bhibishan, Bharat and we would get a sense of moral conduct, where objectives can be achieved, through sincerity, faith and devotion. If you believe in your cause, stick to it, but do so at your own expense. Don't compromise your values, beliefs and dharma. You could be successful honestly, many have done so with deep dharmic values and they are models for our society today. Don't bury anyone else so you could rise. Don't try to take someone else's success. If you want to be like someone else, learn from them, take a pattern, see why they are successful, be true to yourself, watch, look and learn. You will eventually grow and succeed. You can compete, but do so with originality. Be unique, be real. Set a standard for yourself and others will certainly respect you. If you try to grow and become competitive with the wrong objectives, you will fail. It has been proven. Look around and you will see. Is our community moving forward or backwards? Are we allowing people to gain respect or loose it? Are we creating a model for our future generations of Indo Caribbean Canadians to be proud? Are we following the principles of Sanatan Dharma to achieve our aspirations? Or are we simply allowing ourselves to attack others for our vengeance and personal aspirations, in the name of growth? Is it really Progress or it is actually Competition? Now you have some views, watch around in your community and decide. Now you can see for yourself and You be the judge!.