Religion, you say

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Sunday midday, I was in an elevator with two older women carrying writing pads and some brochures. I was returning home, clearly exhausted from being woken up abruptly and getting called for work.

One of the ladies wished me and asked if I were a Hindu or Muslim. Am not even talking about a scene in India, this happened in Singapore to my utter surprise. The reason I mention the place is because being Indian, I can feel the need to encroach personal matters at ease.

I did not give them a coherent answer actually I couldn’t, even if I were not sleep deprived. When I have to identify myself, I guess I’ll simply think of me being a lost soul. Religion is the farthest I could come to think excluding the times am filling forms. I visit Buddhist temples more often than Hindu temples because I find the serenity more reverberating there. Arab street here is the most definite spot I prefer for late night walks around a Mosque named Sultan Mosque. I love visiting Gurdwaras too although mainly for the love and affection with which they serve food but I have to admit I love big church domes and I find their architecture quite fascinating. I know everything I said is a monologue about buildings by far but I really have trouble placing religion above the places of worship. The rituals may vary along with the festivities and so do the idols but don’t we worship the ideal behind all of it. And isn’t it ‘Peace’ to begin with.

With an elaborate ritual or a simple heartfelt prayer is the only decision I can make.

When neither the body nor the mind is mine to claim, how can a religion be mine.?!


The 7 Must-See Buddhist Temples in Bangkok – Big 7 Travel 
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