April 1988
AnalysisHindu Principles of Religious Freedom In the Thinking and Writing of Thomas Jefferson; Jefferson's "Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom" Was the First Law in America to Explicitly Recognize the Rights of Non-Christian Religions
Devalok, Yogi
Thomas Jefferson, author of the
Declaration of Independence and 5th President of the United States of
America, was instrumental in setting America on the course to the
religious freedom it enjoys today. His "Virginia Statute" left out
explicit references to Christianity, thereby allowing equal treatment
under the act to people of any (or no) religion. Yogi Devalok proposes in
his analysis that many of Jefferson's ideas are reminiscent of the ancient
Hindu teachings on the religious duties and rights of man.
Would it
surprise you to learn that Thomas Jefferson, one of American's greatest
statesmen, took an active role in promoting Universal dharma? In 1977,
Jefferson authored "The Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom." The
universal respect for all faith reflected within it will remind the Hindu
observer of the great Vedic principle of Sarvadharma Samabhava - "equal
respect for all religions."
Jefferson did not accept the dogmatic
theories of the established churches, preferring rather to take the
ethical teachings of the Galilean master as a practical and rational means
towards noble living. Jefferson's emphasis on sadachara ("right conduct")
and lokasamgraha ("solidarity [or oneness] of the planet"), albeit in
westernized forms, points either to a conscious or subconscious connection
with the eternal Rita Dharma ("universal way of truth") of the
Vedas.
Jefferson upheld and advanced major principles of Vedantic
thought, such as the existence of Ekam Sat ("Truth is One") and diversity
in unity, E pluribus unum (Latin for "one from many"), which he
established as an American motto with two other early American statesmen.
Samadhrsit ("equal vision") as the basis for the protection of natural
right under law, and Ekam Sat Vipra Bahuda Vadanti ("unity amidst
plurality") were among other Hindu principles that he
advocated.
Yet the real genius of Jefferson was in his ability to
translate the theory of Rita dharma into effective political and civil
practice through his creations of dharma-based political documents and
dharma-based laws. Indeed, his accomplishments in this area will remind
Hindus of King Ashoka and Rajarishi Janaka of India, who both very
effectively mixed spiritual wisdom and political power.
In 1777
Jefferson authored and in 1786 saw his "Virginia Statute for Religious
Freedom" become law in the state of Virginia. In his notes on it he made
it clear that under its broad mantel, Hinduism along with all other faiths
would be given full protection. Jefferson stated, "An amendment [which
proposed to insert] the words, 'Jesus Christ, the holy author of our
religion,' [was rejected] by a great majority, in proof that they meant to
comprehend, within the mantle of its protection, the Jew and the Gentile,
the Christian and the Mohammedan, the Hindoo and the infidel [any
non-Christian] of every denomination." This shows the accommodating and
universal position that America is dedicated to defend. Not only the
Judeo/Christian tradition but all religious traditions were granted full
freedom and civil protection by the Virginia Statute authored by Thomas
Jefferson.
Thus it seems clear, Jefferson established the founding
principles of America - universal dharma and universal religious freedom -
on the two pillars of Vedantic thoughts - equal vision (equality) and
unity in diversity. His Declaration of American Independence established
dharmic equality, and his Virginia Statute established unity in
diversity.
Article copyright Himalayan
Academy.
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