Throughout my interfaith journey, I have come to realize the importance of education and knowledge. Not in the pursuit of an ultimate truth, but in an effort to better understand ourselves and the world around us. It is true that we must form opinions and judgments in order to form our identity and make decisions in life. However, too often our opinions and judgments become our truth, and once we believe something to be true, it is very hard for us to believe otherwise. This is especially true when it comes to religion. Our beliefs systems often become our truth, and any religion whose belief system differs from ours is simply false. As a result, our ability to learn about different traditions becomes very limited which opens the door for prejudice and discrimination.
The question now becomes, “How important is knowledge?” To answer this question, the Ottawa Citizen’s Stephanie Murphy interviewed various religious leaders and complied their views on knowledge into an intriguing article titled "How Important Is Knowledge In Your Belief System?" The following article is a summary of Murphy’s research divided by faith.
HINDUISM Explained by Radhika Sekar, PhD in Religious Studies. Dr. Sekar taught Hinduism courses at Carleton University in Ottawa, is an aspiring Vendantin, and a devotee of the Sri Ramakrishna Mission.
Dr. Sekar explains that knowledge is very highly respected among the Hindu community. Hindus believe that knowledge is a blessing bestowed by the Divine. Teachers are also highly respected and many children begin the school day by praying to Sarasvati, goddess of speech and learning.
Vedanta, a philosophy based on the oldest scriptures of Hinduism, describes two types of knowledge: external knowledge and inner knowledge. External knowledge relates to the material world and our external realities, which is seen as ever changing illusions. Inner knowledge’s is obtained through spiritual growth. Both are considered valuable in there own sphere, although inner knowledge is considered the highest.
“Knowledge of the natural sciences, of arts, crafts, literature, music, and every conceivable type of worldly knowledge do not bring peace or bliss, unless rooted in Atma Jnana — the knowledge of the Self,” said Dr. Sekar.
BUDDHISM Explained by Ray Innen Parchelo, a novice Tendai priest and founder of the Red Maple Sangha, the first lay Buddhist community in Eastern Ontario.
Ray explains that similar to Hinduism, Buddhism separates knowledge into two categories: ordinary knowledge and sacred knowledge. Ordinary knowledge consists of the natural sciences, arts and humanities. Sacred knowledge is obtained through contemplative practices such as meditation, which leads to the end of suffering that defines human life.
Both conventional and spiritual knowledge have value for Buddhists. Smith explains that science and spirituality can work together to better the world. The Dalai Lama has supported this theory by promoting scientific research of contemplative neurology. Buddhists value all kinds of knowledge and do not limit themselves to one avenue of learning.
“Finally, Buddhism affirms that there is a necessary balance between knowledge and compassion. Knowledge without compassion is just information, compassion without knowledge, mere sentiment,” said Smith
ISLAM Explained by Abdul Rashid, a member of the Ottawa Muslim community, the Christian-Muslim Dialogue and the Capital Region Interfaith Council.
Rashid explains that learning and knowledge are very highly respected and regarded as sacred in Islam. Muslims believe that we are born without any knowledge but with an intense curiosity. The Creator endows us we hearing, seeing, and intellect to satisfy our need to learn.
Throughout the scriptures, the importance of knowledge is repeated over and over. The Holy Prophet also expressed the importance of knowledge throughout his life. For example, he said, “Seeking knowledge is obligatory on all Muslim men and women”; “Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave”; “Become a scholar or a student or a listener or a lover (of knowledge) and do not be the fifth, as it will destroy you”; “The ink used by the scholar is more precious than the blood of the martyr”; “The pen is more powerful than the sword, and that one hour’s contemplation is better than a year’s worship.”
JUDAISM Explained by Rabbi Reuven Bulka of Congregation Machzikei in Ottawa and host of Sunday night with Rabbi Bulka on 580 CFRA.
Rabbi Bulka explains that in Judaism, one cannot be dedicated to the Jewish faith and ignorant. It is for this reason that knowledge is seen with extreme importance in Judaism. Knowledge should lead to action and not remain solely in the realm of theory.
While great importance is placed on knowledge of the Torah, Judaism teaches that those who take study seriously will study other sacred texts including the Bible, the Prophets, the Scriptures and the Talmud.
“Finally, knowledge in other areas, such as mathematics, astronomy, geography, biology, etc., brings with it a greater appreciation of the magnificent world we live in. That too is vital to belief,” said Rabbi Bulka.
BAHA’I Explained by Jack Mclean, Baha’i scholar, teacher, essayist and published poet in the fields of Baha’i spirituality and theology.
Mclean explains that knowledge is only half of religious and spiritual life. Without action, putting that belief system into practice, religion becomes a set of mere doctrines and rituals and loses all credibility.
“In my view, it is false to dichotomize faith from knowledge as is sometimes done by reference to “blind faith.” ‘Abdu’-Bahá (1844-1921), the son of Bahá’u’lláh, the appointed interpreter of his teachings, said in a memorable statement: “By faith is meant, first, conscious knowledge, and second, the practice of good deeds” (Bahá’í World Faith, p. 382),” said Mclean.
CHRISTIANITY Explained by Father John Jillions, professor in the Sheptytsky Institute of Eastern Christian Studies at Saint Paul University.
According to Father Jillions, knowledge is everything and nothing. Knowledge means constantly learning. True knowledge means not only learning about the Christian faiths, but other traditions as well.
“Paul himself had profound knowledge of the scriptures, Jewish tradition and Greek learning, but he understood that intellectual knowledge on its own is meaningless. Worse, it can be a dangerous source of pride that prevents discovery of a much deeper form of knowledge: love. “Knowledge puffs up, love builds up” (1 Corinthians 8:1). Puffed-up knowledge also shuts out vast realms of mystery. “If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know” (1 Corinthians 8:2). Even our best spiritual knowledge is imperfect and will pass away (1 Corinthians 13:9),” said Father Jillions.
SIKHISM Explained by Ajit Sigh Sahota, founder of the Sikh National Archives of Canada, and former president of the World Sikh Organization of Canada.
Ajit explains that the work “Sikh” literally means “student”. The Sikh faith is built on learning and knowledge. Gurus are the teachers of knowledge in the Sikh faith. According to the Sikh faith, a knowledgeable person is one who understands one’s self and the Divine.
“One could be very learned and have acquired great worldly knowledge, but if such an individual is not happy and has not recognized God within the self and within creation, that knowledge has not been of any great benefit to the learner. On the other hand, one may have very little worldly knowledge but if such a person is living a spiritual life, having recognized God within, then such a person is successful and truly wise. The spiritual knowledge that leads one to love The Supreme Reality with Guru’s Grace is the purpose of life for a Sikh,” said Ajit.
After reading all of the world’s great religions’ interpretation of what it means to have true “knowledge” it becomes explicitly evident that they are all on the same page. None of them claim to have the absolute truth. Rather, it is about a never-ending quest for knowledge. I truly believe that this is what interfaith is really about. Interfaith opens the door for us to learn about different ideas, ask questions, and gather all the different pieces of the puzzle that is life and the spiritual world.
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