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This week: Edited by: Becky Simpson  
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Every society throughout time has had laws, which govern its citizen’s behavior, written with meticulous care to direct daily life. These were clear directions for the general welfare of the society as a whole, and were supplemented with teachings passed down as ethical statements of what was proper behavior in life for an individual. The first are what I will call man’s desire for self-determination, and the second are his spiritual nature striving to find a path that will lead to a better life. Man’s laws cannot fulfill his desire for perfection for one very simple reason. Laws are specific in nature and do not cover every possible occurrence, hence man feels he can avoid the consequences if he merely bends but does not break the law.
Spiritual teachings are dissimilar in nature to laws because men treat them with little respect since they have no immediate consequence. It is mere choice that guides a man to decide what he shall allow to guide his behavior. It is ironic that this is man’s one true chance at self-perfection, and yet many miss the opportunity and are left wondering why the life they live is not more satisfying.
There are few ethical lessons ever taught that compare in importance to the one commonly called the Golden Rule. It has existed throughout history in various forms and was stated in its most positive nature by Christ. I hope you will come along with me as we take a closer look at it from the eyes of various religions. Of one thing I am sure, no matter what religion you ascribe to, it will have this great command expressed somewhere in it.
What is my intent? That would be to try and bring us all a little bit closer to the realization that to use our religion to foment hate is wrong. I also hope that this discussion will allow those of diverse faiths to see clearly that we are not so different. I have never and never will insist that someone follow God’s will the exact same way I do. I don’t think God intended that, or He would not have given us free will. Yet some of us will fall by the wayside during our walk to His side simply because we forget the greatest commandment and the second; the golden rule. – Becky Simpson
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"Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD." Leviticus 19:18.
This may be the the first recorded statement of the Golden Rule, yet it is not as we recognize it today. In this case it is specifically intended for the Jewish people, who at the time were the chosen people of God. Because it is not intended for anyone else, we find the reference to thy people. God goes on to command:
"The stranger that soujourns with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God." Leviticus 19:34.
It is in this second command that God includes those not of the Jewish faith. Isn’t it funny that today the majority of Jewish people feel they are still God’s chosen people, yet many have trouble following such a clear and loving command of God?
How often do we find ourselves angry at others simply because they are not like us. Not the same color, don’t talk the same, don’t know our society’s rules, or don’t have the same religious beliefs. I can safely state that no matter what religion you ascribe to, it is wrong for us to resent others for being who they are. After this original statement of this principle of tolerance and love, it was a long time before it was restated.
It was the time of Confucius, about 550 BC, when I next found the Golden Rule restated. Its form is different, but it is still recognizeable. Notice please that it is negative in nature. By this I mean that there is a command to NOT treat others badly.
"What you do not wish upon yourself, extend not to others."
-- Analects of Confucius, Chapter 15, Verse 23 [4], c. 500 B.C.
Wing-tsit Chan's A Source Book in Chinese Philosophy, states the ethic of reciprocity appears in the Analects of Confucius, Chapter 4, in the discussion of i-kuan (pinyin: yi guan), the "one thread" that combines chung (altruism) and shu (conscientiousness).
The meaning of I-kuan has not been agreed upon by all confucianis [ Confucianis ?] , however they generally agree on the meanings of chung and shu, which are best expressed by Chu Hsi, namely, chung means the full development of one's mind and shu means the extension of that mind to others. As Ch'eng I put it, chung is the Way of Heaven, whereas shu is the way of man; the former is substance.
"Tzu-kung asked, 'Is there one word that can serve as a principle of conduct for life?' Confucius replied, 'It is the word 'shu' -- reciprocity. Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.'" (Analects 15.23)
"Try your best to treat others as you would wish to be treated yourself, and you will find that this is the shortest way to benevolence." (Mencius VII.A.4)
Surely it is the maxim of loving-kindess: Do not do unto others what you would not have them do unto you. (Analects 15:23 about 500 BCE)
When one cultivates to the utmost the principles of his nature, and exercises them on the principle of reciprocity, he is not far from the path. What you do not like when done to yourself, do not do to others. Doctrine of the Mean 13.3 (Li Ki 28.1.32, SBE 38.305)
What a man dislikes in his superiors, let him not display in the treatment of his inferiors; what he dislikes in inferiors, let him not display in the service of his superiors; what he hates in those who are before him, let him not therewith precede those who are behind him; what he hates in those who are behind hi, let him not therewith follow those who are before him; what he hates to receive on the right, let him not bestow on the left; what he hates to receive on the left, let him not bestow on the right : - this is what is called "The principle with which, as with a measuring-square, to regulate one's conduct." (The Great Learning 10.2)
The chinese often claim to have the oldest society on earth stretching back thousands of years. It is a sad comment on man that even this oldest of society’s has not learned to put aside the letter of the law to pick up the pricinciples of life that would lead it to peace and prosperity. Let’s not dwell too long on just one, but let’s move a bit south and look at the golden rule in Hinduism.
"This is the sum of the Dharma: Do naught unto others which would cause you pain if done to you" (Mahabharata 5:15:17) The true rule of life is to guard and do by the things of others as they do by their own.
"One should not behave towards others in a way which is disagreeable to oneself. This is the essence of morality. All other activities are due to selfish desire." - Mahabharata, Anusasana Parva, 18:113:8
"Wound not others, do no one injury by thought or deed, utter no word to pain thy fellow creatures." (The Ordinances of Manu)
Through these excerpts you can see the similarity between these ethical/spiritual teachings and the golden rule as we know it. These concepts were verbalized around 500 BC. Unfortunately we cannot pause in our mental trip through time too long. Our next restatement of the golden rule is from a religion I am not familiar with; perhaps you will be.
In Jainism, the golden rule is implied rather than explicit. Jainism's focus is non-violence. Its tenets require that all creation, whether inert or animate, be shown respect by not taking from them their right to exist. "Ahimsa Parmo Dharmaha" - The absence of violence is the necessary pre-requisite for all of existence to flourish in peace and for the genuine advance of values. Hence, by actively ensuring the peace of others (without), one allows for the peace of one's own self (within). Moreover, frequently in the Jain tradition, it is hinted that all creatures, not just humans, are capable of living up to the morality of the golden rule in the most trying of circumstances.
Jainism does not define a concept of divinity or deity. It is like an atheistic religion. Thus morality and ethics are its primary domain. This process has led Jain philosophers to concentrate on logical arguments. In this respect, Jain and Buddhist thoughts share a common pattern of thought whereby the justification for the golden rule has to be found in the human intellect and not from the fear of retribution. Let us continue.
In Sikhism we regain our track and return closer to the heart of the golden rule. In the following excerpts you should be able to clearly see the restatement of our golden rule; still it is stated in a negative form in that the reader is told to NOT treat others badly.
"As you see yourself, see others as well; only then will you become a partner in heaven." Bhagat Kabir Guru Granth Sahib(GGS) 480
"Compassion-mercy and religion are the support of the entire world". Japji Sahib GGS
"Don't create enmity with anyone as God is within everyone." Guru Arjan Devji GGS 259
"No one is my enemy, none a stranger and everyone is my friend." Guru Arjan Dev GGS 1299
"We obtain salvation by loving our fellow man and God." (Granth Japji 21)
From Sikhism we find the principle of the golden rule is fundamental to Buddhism. In Buddhism, all aspects of teaching are regarded as wisdom rather than supernaturally derived and are to be undertaken voluntarily. The first of the Five Precepts (Panca-sila) of Buddhism is to abstain from destruction of life. The justification of the precept is given in Chapter 10 of the Dhammapada, which states:
"Every being fears punishment; every being fears death, just as you do. Therefore do not kill or cause to kill."
According to the second of Four Noble Truths of Buddhism, egoism is rooted in ignorance and is considered the cause of all suffering. Consequently, kindness, compassion and equanimity is regarded as the untainted aspect of human nature.
"Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful." (Udana-Varga 5:18)
"I will act towards others exactly as I would act towards myself." (The Siglo-Vada Sutta, about 500 BCE)
From here we go to the time of Christ and we see the golden rule stated in positive language for the first time.
(Matthew 7:12) "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets."
Let’s spend a moment to look at what lies behind the golden rule. It is in Matthew that we find precepts that lead to the golden rule:
(Matthew 22:36-40)"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?" Jesus said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets."
The depth of the teaching of Jesus is explored throughout the New Testament. It seems so clear to us, yet for the Jewsih people it still was misunderstood. This was because of the simple word neighbor as seen below.
(Galatians 5:14)"For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."
(Luke 6:30-31)"Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise."
For the Jewsih people, neighbor was interpreted to mean kinsman, or if you wish, clansman. In other words those related to you. It is well known that during the time of Jesus the Jewish people had become a litigious society. This supported their view of the Mosiac law, in that they followed the letter of the law but not its intent. Hence they had begun to abuse the law of the prophets.
Six hundred years later, the Islamic prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is reported as having said:
"Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you." — The Farewell Sermon.
"None of you is truly a believer until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself." — 40 Hadith
"God helps His servant as long as His servant is helping his brother."
The concept of brotherhood in Islam is based on commonality of belief. Many people argue that Islam does not have a Golden Rule, and the teachings of Muhammed in this respect are by far less explicit than the teachings of Jesus Christ or of Moses. As for me, I would point to the farewell speech and say, sounds pretty clear to me. It is amazing that this religion dedicates itself to the upholding of the principles rather than the law.
I hope you haven’t been bored by our trip through the religious world, but, we are not quite done. There is an Arabic religious society to consider: Bahá'Ă. Below I give the teachings that apply to our search for the golden rule.
“Ascribe not to any soul that which thou wouldst not have ascribed to thee, and say not that which thou doest not.” Bahá'u'lláh, Hidden Words, Arabic #29
“Blessed is he who prefers his brother before himself” Baha’u’llah Tablets of Baha’u’llah 6.71
"And if thine eyes be turned towards justice, choose thou for thy neighbour that which thou choosest for thyself." (Epistle to the Son of the Wolf. Baha’u’llah Tablets of Baha’u’llah 6.64)
“Wish not for others what you wish not for yourselves” Baha’u’llah Aqdas 148.73
“The seeker should not wish for others that which he does not wish for himself, nor promise that which he does not fulfil” Baha’u’llah Kitab-i-Iqan 194, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah 125.266
“Lay not on any soul a load which ye would not wish to be laid upon you, and desire not for anyone the things ye would not desire for yourselves” Baha'u'llah, Summons of the Lord of Hosts 544 & Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah 66.128
Can you imagine a world dictating its behavior by following the teachings presented here? Perhaps it is too much to ask. Perhaps it is not in man to desire good for his fellow man. I cannot believe it is so. I know in my heart that I desire good things for others. As an adopted child who at times feels as if she does not belong to this world at all, I am reminded to do good by the memory of the desire of my adoptive parents to provide for me though I did not belong to them.
I am reminded of the golden rule every time I visit with the woman I now call mom. Her love is clear and her heart true. She does not desire ill toward anyone. I am reminded every time I look into a child’s eyes and there see an openness that reflects a soul that knows only love. When Jesus placed a child on his knees and told those assembled that they had no hope of going to heaven unless they became as little children, it was this spirit that He desired to see.
When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was He gave an answer that included two. The first was to love God with all your heart and soul. The second was to love your neighbor as yourself. He did not mean literally your neighbor but rather all people. Hence when He restated the principle in what we call the Golden Rule.
I hope I haven’t offended you through this exploration of the Golden Rule and its history. It was not my intent to do so. I merely wished to remind us all that we all in some form ascribe to the same precept. So the next time you have dealings with others, humble your heart, take the advice of so many wise men, and of Jesus, become as a little child and allow God to work through you. I would like to leave you with the following work by Funnyface is happy to be back called (item:627920}
Do Unto Others
Do unto others, as a Christian should
Look at humanity, see only their good
Live with mankind in joy and peace
Never let patience or kindness cease
Do unto others, as Christ does from above
Display true loyalty, extend Godly love
Exercise control, be gentle and meek
Others may be frail and terribly weak
Do unto to others and never be cruel
Strive always to live God's Golden Rule
Be a good soldier and fight towards
People coming to know our Blessed Lord
GOD'S GOLDEN RULE
"Do unto others as you would have them
Do unto you."
Thanks FunnyFace and as always I am at your service.
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Questions and comments from last month my thanks to those who wrote in, if you wish to comment this month feel free, I shall answer them individually.
Submitted By: puppylove
Submitted Comment:
I hung on every word of "In Gods Hands".
It was one of those sad/happy/sad/happy, experiences. I do believe your angel's were standing behind you. With all your effort's--I could almost see Our Lord smiling down on you saying, "Go ahead my child you are doing just fine. When you are finished I'll take over--so don't worry". Very refreshing.
In His Service, Pabby
Pabby, I have to totally agree with you and I thought the author touched me as much as this poem touched you. Hugs– Becky
Submitted By: JudithJean France
Submitted Comment:
Was quite a poem. the last phrase, "Tim is not mine Tim is safe in God's hands" If only we would remember this as we pray for family all.
Article was also a mind stretcher. It so comforting to know the one true God, so when reading others claims, we are not swayed or tossed about to and fro. Blessings...-
Judith, I know that when we pray we sometimes forget that all things are in God’s hands. It is not possible for us to do anything that isn’t God’s will. In as much as this is true we should always remember to state it in our prayers. Your will Lord not mine. Hugs – Becky
Submitted By: Brother Don
Submitted Comment:
Becky, I am so glad to see you back! This issue is better than ever! You have shown so much insight and understanding. Your words go beyond tolerance to demonstrate a loving acceptance. Very few people ever really achieve that and I am so blessed by reading your newsletters. I will also send you a private email.
Thanks for the newsletter, Becky.
Donald Brown
Hi Brother Don, It is good to be back among people who have always been special to me I only hope as my new business venture begins I will find the time to return to my first love…writing. Hugs –n- love Becky
May God bless you all who have read this newsletter and to the rest of you kind readers who made comments about last month’s newsletter; thank you. If it were not for your kind words, I would be inclined to find another way to spend the time I spend here.
If you have a question, comment or just an observation concerning this edition of the Spiritual Newsletter, please feel free to send it to me. I would also like our newsletter readers to send me their favorite work. Please include the writer’s name. I prefer works from Writing.Com.
Next weeks editor:Puditat
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Spiritual: May 30, 2007 Issue [#1746]
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