From the Particular to the Universal

Ananda Coomaraswamy gives us the example of many communities around the base of a vast mountain. The mountain symbolises Truth and the communities around it represent the religions. Each community has a unique view of the mountain and their own path of ascent. We only reach the mountains peak by following a particular path at the bottom. Religious particulars can never be dismissed as sectarian or opposed to universality. It is only through the particular that man is able to reach the Universal. Real universality can only exist at the journeys end when all paths converge at the mountains peak and we are granted a panoramic perspective. Here and now, diversity and different points of view predominate.

The different paths that have been traced out clearly and trodded upon by innumerable souls represent the religious traditions which are the easiest ways of climbing the mountain and are a Divine gift to humanity. The one who ignores these paths out of pride and tries to find his own route has committed a kind of spiritual suicide.

"For each [community] We have appointed a divine law and a traced-out way. Had God willed He could have made you one community. But so that He may try you in that which he has given you [He willed otherwise]. So vie with one another in virtue. Unto God you will all return, and He will inform you of that wherein you differ." - Quran 5.48