Rick Warren and the Vedic Principle of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”

Vasudhaiva kutumbakam
This world is truly one small family

Barack Obama and Rick Warren

There is a beautiful saying in the Vedas, the ancient spiritual scriptures of India — “Vasudhaiva kutumbakam.” In this short and sweet sentence, the enlightened Vedic rishis, or seers, have given us a profound truth as well as a lofty standard for our conduct.

Vasudha refers to the Earth or to the entire Creation, meaning the vast cosmos. Eva means “certainly” or “verily.” Kutumbam means a family or blood relations, and kutumbakam technically means a little family. So here the Vedic sages are saying that the entire world is truly just one family, but not the kind of extended family where we barely know our second cousins thrice removed! The world is like a small, tightly knit, nuclear family.

We are meant to live by this code, treating all beings as our own near and dear relatives, but this kind of conduct is very uncommon in modern society, at least in public life. Public officials rarely demonstrate this principle, and even religious leaders often fail to live up to this standard. That’s why I was so impressed when I heard Barack Obama explain his choice of Rick Warren to give the Inaugural Invocation.

Now I must admit, when I first heard about his choice of Warren, I was somewhat dismayed. I thought, “Why couldn’t Obama pick a more inclusive and tolerant figure? Someone who doesn’t judge others quite so harshly?” I would have loved to see him pick a spiritual leader from outside the Christian tradition, or at least a Unitarian Universalist, or at least a Christian leader who is part of the progressive movement.

But when I heard Obama explain why he chose Warren, I saw that rather than pick someone who embodies inclusiveness, Obama was himself demonstrating the spirit of inclusiveness by reaching out to evangelical Christians. I realized that by giving Rick Warren a “place at the table,” Obama was living up to the standard of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” in a powerful and courageous way.

Obama, like many of us, does not agree with Warren on many issues, but that doesn’t mean he can’t have a serious and respectful discussion with him, or show him honor for the positive things he’s done, like his work to alleviate poverty or serve those with AIDS.

I have to say, even though I’m not happy about Warren’s views on gay marriage and other issues, I have renewed respect for Obama’s courage, fair-mindedness, and universal spirit. May we all be inspired to listen to each other with respect and open-mindedness, and may we never close our hearts or turn away from someone simply because their views and beliefs are different from ours.

Om shanti shanti shanti
May there be peace in all hearts