Sri Ramakrishna accepted the divinity of Buddha and used to
point out
the similarity of his teachings to those of the Upanishads. He also
showed
great respect for the Tirthankaras, who founded Jainism, and for the
ten
Gurus of Sikhism. But he did not speak of them as Divine Incarnations.
He
was heard to say that the Gurus of Sikhism were the reincarnations of
King
Janaka of ancient India. He kept in his room at Dakshineswar a small
statue
of Tirthankara Mahavira and a picture of Christ, before which incense
was
burnt morning and evening.
Without being formally initiated into their doctrines, Sri Ramakrishna
thus realized the ideals of religions other than Hinduism. He did not
need
to follow any doctrine. All barriers were removed by his overwhelming
love
of God. So he became a Master who could speak with authority regarding
the ideas and ideals of the various religions of the world. "I have
practised",
said he, "all religions — Hinduism, Islam, Christianity — and I have
also
followed the paths of the different Hindu sects. I have found that it
is the
same God toward whom all are directing their steps, though along
different
paths. You must try all beliefs and traverse all the different ways
once.
Wherever I look, I see men quarrelling in the name of religion —
Hindus,
Mohammedans, Brahmos, Vaishnavas, and the rest. But they never reflect
that He who is called Krishna is also called Siva, and bears the name
of the
Primal Energy, Jesus, and Allah as well — the same Rama with a thousand
names. A lake has several ghats. At one the Hindus take water in
pitchers
and call it 'jal'; at another the Mussalmans take water in leather bags
and
call it pani'. At a third the Christians call it 'water'. Can we
imagine that it
is not 'jal', but only 'pani' or 'water'? How ridiculous! The substance
is One
under different names, and everyone is seeking the same substance; only
climate, temperament, and name create differences. Let each man follow
his
own path. If he sincerely and ardently wishes to know God, peace be
unto
him! He will surely realize Him."
In 1867 Sri Ramakrishna returned to Kamarpukur to recuperate from the
effect of his austerities. The peaceful countryside, the simple and
artless
companions of his boyhood, and the pure air did him much good. The
villagers were happy to get back their playful, frank, witty,
kind-hearted,
and truthful Gadadhar, though they did not fail to notice the great
change
that had come over him during his years in Calcutta. His wife, Sarada
Devi,
now fourteen years old, soon arrived at Kamarpukur. Her spiritual
development
was much beyond her age and she was able to understand immediately
her husband's state of mind. She became eager to learn from him about
God and to live with him as his attendant. The Master accepted her
cheerfully
both as his disciple and as his spiritual companion. Referring to the
experiences of these few days, she once said: "I used to feel always as
if a
pitcher full of bliss were placed in my heart. The joy was
indescribable."