What is tolerance?
What are the benefits of tolerance?
“To attain perfection in life, one must discover the joy of harmony with the universe, live in atonement with it. One who has so mastered his life will have no anxiety, fear or conflicts with others whilst living his life.”
Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ang 1013
In the multi-cultural society, that we live in it is very important to understand the needs and benefits of tolerance. We should realise that in most cases it is far easier to change our own attitudes rather than getting frustrated over failed efforts in changing the attitude of others. In this manner, we develop the skills in becoming individuals who are more tolerant. Some people develop the attitude of having a zero tolerance policy whether that is in a work place or at home. However, we may create an environment of negativity and unfairness around us and in most cases, this policy will fail.
Historically it could be said that the world was divided, in the sense that we had a Christian existence on the one side, then there were the major religions of the East and communism in other countries. Therefore, the importance of tolerance may not have been essential due to the geographical segregation of beliefs. In the present, we certainly have co-existence of religions, on the same streets, in the same neighbourhood and in the same towns. We have travelled afar to experience different cultures and the availability of foreign television is only a click on the remote control in our homes. Tolerance has be at the top of our virtues for us to live in peace and harmony in this changed society.
In order to achieve tolerance we must be reflective over the concept ‘we have the right to believe’ that we hold so dearly, could in fact be our intolerant behaviors towards others. Even if we have our opinions, it would still not be right to impose our doctrines on people with a diverse (THOUGHT) thought pattern. We should remember that our thoughts and beliefs are nothing more than our own personalised truths and matters of opinion.
Tolerance is the behavior of our attitudes towards others. It is important to afford everyone their rights, accept that they hold their own points of view and opinions. We do not have to agree to the opinions and behaviorisms of others to become known as a tolerant person. Sometimes it is simply a matter of purely putting up with what we do not like. Of course, at this stage we must realise that not everything that happens in society is something that we must tolerate. There is a correct tolerance then there is the misguided tolerance. As an example, acts of aggression against children can never be tolerated but the right to accept the religious belief of another should be acknowledged. If we are to coexist in a multicultural society, a degree of tolerance is crucial. We just need to adjust our attitude towards something that we may not believe or accept as our standards or thoughts.
“The morally blind fool is caught in conflict and is anxious and confused, and in this way shows lack of tolerance towards others.”
Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ang 1287
The concept of tolerance is very complicated by nature. Often, we may find it reasonably easy to be tolerant of one thing and be very intolerant of another. It is important to understand and accept that another person may have completely opposite views. We should remember that not all beliefs and behavior’s deserve automatic respect and tolerance.
In certain cultures, it is the minorities that are expected to be the ‘tolerant’, whilst the majority can do what they wish, this is not right either. Tolerance has to be mutual and neutral.
We are intolerant over the appearance of individuals, their size of a person, their looks, their class, the food they eat. So therefore, our attitudes and tolerances are based on our conscious, unconscious behavior, and will have a similar impact on those whom we are intolerant of.
“The beauty of the person is more than skin deep.”
“It’s a universal law– intolerance is the first sign of an inadequate education. An ill-educated person behaves with arrogant impatience, whereas truly profound education breeds humility.”
Aleksandra Solzhenitsyn.
In religious spheres, it is of paramount importance not to judge and become intolerant of others but rather if one must judge, then they should judge themselves. Not to listen to idle gossip, make no judgment over others and learn to tolerate the indiscretion of others. We must not base opinions from what we have heard of others and create intolerance towards them on this principle.
“One day, the old wise Socrates walks down the streets, when all of the sudden a man runs up to him,
“Socrates I have to tell you something about your friend who…”
Hold up” Socrates interrupts him,
“About the story you are about to tell me, did you put it through the three sieves?”
“Three sieves?” the man asks, “What three sieves?”
“Let’s try it,” Socrates says.
“The first sieve is the one of truth, did you examine what you were about to tell me if it is true?” Socrates asks.
“Well no, I just overheard it” The man says.
“Ah, well then you have used the second sieve, the sieve of good?” Socrates asks, “Is it something good what you are about to tell me?”
“No, on the contrary”, the man answers.
The wise man continues, “Let’s use the third sieve then, is it necessary to tell me what you’re so excited about?”
“No not necessary” the man says.
“Well” Socrates says with a smile, “If the story you’re about to tell me isn’t true, good or necessary, just forget it and don’t bother me with it.”
Socrates
A society that is tolerant of each other will grow and prosper with a feeling of togetherness and peace. Every ambition can be realised and every dream fulfilled. A tolerant society is a healthy society, which will go forward with purpose. In a democratic society, tolerance is a fundamental right for happiness to exist. Even if we get to the point that we feel we need to say something then we must learn to say whatever is on our minds with a certain amount of beauty, poise and love.
Tolerance is an ethical demand on all, enabling society to function peacefully and flourish.
We must live with consciousness and be more aware of the people around us. We are responsible for our actions; we are answerable for our actions. There are always alternatives to our views so therefore we must participate in intellectual engagement with the view to learn.
Teaching tolerance is not just a responsibility that of parents or of the educational establishments but more and more it seems that religion has a key part to play in making a harmonious society. Our education by enlarge is taught to us formally and informally. Therefore, it is also up to all faiths to accept whilst they may have a different mechanism, there exits but one set of core values of all religions that must be implemented with this understanding. There will always remain divisions due to our cultural backgrounds whether that is from family to family or country to country but this diversity has to be celebrated and embraced.
Interaction with people of good saintly virtues is also an education in itself. Sadly, in some cases, religious interpretation has misguided humanity. However, true guidance and understanding that should have led to peace and harmony has been compromised as the interpreters have also become materialistic and self-interested. The majority of the followers of various religions follow or believe in religion with complete conviction and belief. The absence of proper understanding and education of the followers of all religions is starting to cause havoc in our most beautiful world. These misrepresentations of religion will compromise some of the qualities of some of the most divine religions reducing our capacity to create tolerant behaviour.
We all have an obligation to create a harmonious environment where tolerance can breed, flower and prosper. Our global unification has grown at a much faster rate than maybe, our mental ability to accept these changes. Nonetheless, when the masses are united together with one purpose then the impossible can be achieved.
The ideal way that a religious person will become tolerant is by trying to lose all their identity, the complete sacrifice of the self, the ego. Their desire is to lose their ego and no more. They feel that the root core of their intolerant behaviour stems from ego.
We would normally say that charity begins from home. In a similar way, peace also begins from home (within us). The gift of tolerance goes a long way for us, in pursuit of our inner peace when we are comfortable with our own faith. When we do not feel threatened by the faith and view of others. In addition, the gift of tolerance will also strengthen our own threshold of pain when we are going through difficulties in life. For some when our tolerance levels are low we will show great impatience even in the most insignificant of circumstances.When we master the art of tolerance then even the pain of a loss of a loved one will be born with great resilience and dignity. Tolerance increases our inner strength and is a fundamental requirement for a person wishing to follow the path of righteousness.
It is vital that we become tolerant and considerate; we should remember that we are much stronger than the circumstances of the environment that we live in. So therefore, we should nurture the benefits of tolerance, whilst also contemplating the damage of our negative hostile emotions we carry. Tolerance will help us to develop the ability to influence our negative feelings into positive feelings; help negate the negative feelings of occurrences that are not so important in our lives. Tolerance will quieten our minds and teach us to embrace whatever is going on in our lives.
“One moment of patience may ward off great disaster. One moment of impatience may ruin a whole life.”
Chinese proverb
Tolerance will increase the serenity within and give us the ability to look at life with a greater level of detachment. Tolerant people no longer feel that they need to run at the pace expected by society to equal those around us. Tolerant people will develop the ability to communicate with individuals in a more personal way.
The prime rule of all religions for a tolerant society are:
“Do unto others as you would have done unto you.” This wisdom is represented in ancient teachings and religions throughout the world:
Hindu Faith “This is the sum of duty: do naught to others which if done to thee would cause thee pain.”
The Mahabharata
Jewish Faith “What is hateful to you; do not to your fellow men. That is the entire Law; all the rest is commentary.”
The Talmud
Zoroastrian Faith “Whatever is disagreeable to yourself do not do unto others.”
Shayast-na-Shayast 13:29
Buddhist Faith “Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.”
Udana-Varga 5:18
Christian Faith “. All things, therefore, whatsoever you would wish that man should do to you, do so also to them: for this is the Law and the Prophets.”
The Gospel of Matthew Matt 7:12, Luke 6:31
Muslim Faith “No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself.”
Hadith
Baha’i Faith “And if thine eyes be turned towards justice, choose thou for thy neighbour that which thou chooses for thyself.”
Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, 30
TAOIST “Regard your neighbour’s gain as your own gain and your neighbour’s loss as your own loss.”
T’ai Shang Kan Ying P’ien
BRAHMAN “This is the sum of duty: Do naught unto others which would cause pain to others because you pain if done to you.”
Mahabharata 5:1517
CONFUCIAN “Surely it is the maxim of loving kindness: Do not unto others what you would not have done unto you.”
Analects 15:23
ZOROASTRIAN “That nature alone is good which refrains from doing unto another whatsoever is not good for itself.”
Dadistan-i-dinik 94:5
JAINISM “In happiness and suffering, in joy and grief, we should regard all creatures as we regard our own self”
Lord Mahavira, 24th Tirthankara
SIKHISM “Don’t create enmity with anyone as God is within everyone.”
Guru Arjun Dev Ji 259, Guru Granth Sahib
“Do not do unto others what angers you, if done to you by others.”
Isocrates 436-338 BCE
“Tzu-kung asked, ‘is there a single word which can be a guide to conduct throughout one’s life?’ The Master said, ‘It is perhaps the word “shu.” Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire”
Analects,
“Laws alone cannot secure freedom of expression; in order that every man present his views without penalty there must be spirit of tolerance in the entire population.”
Albert Einstein
“Whenever you are confronted with an opponent. Conquer him with love.” Mahatma Gandhi
“Discord is the great ill of mankind; and tolerance is the only remedy for it.” Voltaire, Philosophical Dictionary
“Never succumb to the temptation of bitterness.”
Martin Luther King
“For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”
Nelson Mandella
We should appreciate the intolerant person also has the right to complain and then the question arises is it reasonable to tolerate the intolerance of a person. My view is that if that intolerant behaviour is affecting the fabric of society to create disharmony then not. Would it have been reasonable to tolerate the actions of Hitler? Therefore, the intolerant must be tolerated but only insofar as they do not endanger the tolerant society and its foundations that we all enjoy.
Remember the golden rule of a happy life:
Think peace, love and tolerance,
Teach peace, love and tolerance,
Make peace, love and tolerance,
Live peace, love and tolerance,
United Humanity