Refuting widely publicized ideas about the clash of civilizations, this volume recognizes the distinction between plural societies and pluralism as an inevitable ingredience of democratic societies.

This book propounds the concept of Bahudha-an eternal reality or continuum, a dialogue of harmony, and peaceful living. It refutes widely publicized ideas about the clash of civilizations and explains how the Bahudh? approach recognizes the distinction between plural societies and pluralism, an inevitable ingredience of democratic societies. One of the lessons of 9/11 is that we are living in an inter-dependent world. The author argues that in these times of unprecedented change, old doctrines have to be transcended, and the language of dialogue needs to be reconstructed. The answer to terrorism lies in respect for human rights, and other cultures and value systems. This will go a long way in facilitating and enhancing dialogue processes eventually leading to a harmonious society and a peaceful world.

FOREWORD BY HIS HOLINESS THE DALAI LAMA

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

PREFACE

PART I. A WORLD IN NEED OF BAHUDH?
CHAPTER 1.THE WORLD TODAY

CHAPTER 2.POLITICAL TSUNAMIS AND AFTER

PART II. MANIFESTATIONS OF BAHUDH? APPROACH IN INDIA
CHAPTER 3. THE VEDIC WORLD VIEW

CHAPTER 4. THE PATHFINDERS

CHAPTER 5. THE BUILDERS

CHAPTER 6. THE RULERS

CHAPTER 7. AMONG PEOPLE

PART III. BAHUDH? AS AN INSTRUMENT OF PUBLIC POLICY FOR HARMONY
CHAPTER 8.THE CULTURE OF BAHUDH?

PART IV. THE GLOBAL IMPERATIVES OF BAHUDH?

CHAPTER 9. RELIGION FOR ALL BEINGS

CHAPTER 10. EDUCATION FOR HARMONY

CHAPTER 11. INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ARCHITECTURE: THE UNITED NATIONS

PART V. THE FUTURE OF BAHUDH?

CHAPTER 12. IN CONCLUSION

BIBLIOGRAPHY

INDEX