غیر سامی مذاہب میں تصورِ دعا: ایک تحقیقی و تقابلی مطالعہ

The Concept of Prayer in Non-Semitic Religions: A Research-Based Comparative Study

Abstract

This study presents a comparative analysis of the concept of prayer in non-Semitic religions Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. In these traditions, prayer is not merely an act of seeking assistance from a higher power; rather, it is a multidimensional spiritual discipline encompassing purification of the inner self, mental concentration, moral regulation, and self-realization. In Hinduism, prayer manifests through mantra recitation and bhakti devotion; in Buddhism, through metta bhavana and meditative practices; in Jainism, through the Namaskara Mantra and the ethical principle of ahimsa; and in Sikhism, through Naam Simran, kirtan, and Ardas. This study analyzes primary scriptures, classical commentaries, and contemporary scholarly perspectives. The findings suggest that prayer in non-Semitic religions serves as a foundational mechanism for ethical and spiritual formation, contributing significantly to social harmony, tolerance, and global peace.