Teachings
Universal
teachings
Every religion teaches man to fill his
being with the glory of God and to
transcend pettiness and selfishness. It
trains him in the methods of unattachment
and discernment, so that he may aim high
and attain spiritual perfection.
Many people are sincere and fervent in
upholding their Ideal but in their zeal
they overlook the fact that the whole
universe is part of that Ideal and that
all men, of whatever nation or faith, are
just as much children of God as they are.
If we are not kind, tender, loving and
forgiving towards all, we have no share in
the religion we profess. If we look upon
life from the Divine point of view, then
all outer differences and
misunderstandings recede away and perfect
peace resides.
True religious growth consists in
expansion not in contraction; it is
inclusive not exclusive. - for True Love
always unites never divides. The message
of Truth and Love is to be found in all
the world's great religions. Below are
some excerpts taken from the Sacred Tests
of the world's major religions to
illustrate the underlying unity of all
faiths.
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The Truth is
One, Paths are Many
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Christianity
And I [Jesus] have other sheep, that are
not of this fold; I must bring them also,
and they will heed my voice. So there
shall be one flock, one shepherd. John
10.16
Islam
Those who believe in the Qur'an, those who
follow the Jewish scriptures, and the
Sabeans and the Christians - any who
believe in God and righteousness - on them
shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.
Qur'an 5.69
Hindusim
As men approach me, so I receive them. All
paths, Arjuna, lead to me. Bhagavad Gita
4.11
Confucianism
Confucius said: "In the world there
are many different roads but the
destination is the same. There are a
hundred deliberations but the result is
one." I Ching Appended Remarks 2.5
Sikhism
The Hindus and the Muslims have but one
and the same God. Adi Granth, Bhairo,
p.1158
Baha'i Faith
The different religions have one truth
underlying them; therefore, their reality
is one.In brief, everyone of the divine
religions contains essential ordinances,
which are not subject to change, and
material ordinances, which are abrogated
according to the exigencies of time. But
the people of the world have forsaken the
divine teachings and followed forms and
imitations of the truth. Inasmuch as these
human interpretations and superstitions
differ, dissensions and bigotry have
arisen, and strife and warfare have
prevailed. By investigating the truth or
foundation of reality underlying their own
and other beliefs, all would be united and
agreed, for this reality is one; it is not
multiple and not divisible.
Jainism
At any time, in any form and accepted
name, if one is shorn of all attachment,
that one is you alone. My Lord! You are
one although variously appearing.
Hemachandra Anyayogavyavacchedika 29
Taoism
Let some worship the Truthful One [a
Taoist deity], and revere the Northern
Constellation, while others bow before the
Buddha and recite sutras. Taoism, Tract of
the Quiet Way
Judaism
Rabbi Joshus said: "There are
righteous people among the nations who
have a share in the world to come."
Tosefta Sanhedrin 13.2
Sri Ramakrishna: As
many faiths so many paths.
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Tolerance and
Respect for All Believers
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Christianity
Jesus said: "Do to others whatever
you would have them do to you."
Bible: Matthew 7.12
Islam
Will you then compel mankind, against
their will, to believe? No soul can
believe, except by the Will of God.
Qur'an 10.99-100
Hindusim
This is the sum of duty: do naught unto
others which would cause you pain if done
to you. Mahabharata 5.1517
Buddhism
Hurt not others in ways that you yourself
would find hurtful. Udana-Varga 5.18
Sikhism
Don't create enmity with anyone as God is
within everyone. Guru Arjan Devji 259,
Guru Granth Sahib
Taoism
Forget the years; forget distinctions.
Leap into the boundless and make it your
home. Chuang Tzu 2
Judaism
What is hateful to you, do not to your
fellowman. That is the law: all the rest
is commentary. Talmud, Shabbat 31a
Confucianism
Do unto other what you would have them do
unto you. Analects 15.23
Baha'i Faith
Blessed is he who preferreth his brother
before himself. Tablets of Baha'ullah, 71
Jainism
In happiness and suffering, in joy and
grief, we should regard all creatures as
we regard our own self. Lord Mahavira,
24th Tirthankara
Native American
Respect for all life is the foundation.
The Great Law of Peace
Zoroastrianism
That nature only is good when it shall not
do unto another whatever is not good for
its own self. Dadistan-i-Dinik 94.5
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Eternal Truth
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Christianity
In the beginning was the Word, and the
Word was with God and the Word was God. He
was in the beginning with God; all things
were made through him, and without him was
not anything made. In him was life, and
the life was the light of men. Bible: John
1.1-4
Islam
He has created the heavens and the earth
with truth. Qur'an 16.3
Hindusim
From the bosom of the sacred Word he
brought forth the world. On high, below,
he abides in his own laws. Atharva Veda
4.1.3
Buddhism
The world exists because of causal
actions, all things are produced by causal
actions and all beings are governed and
bound by causal actions. They are fixed
like the rolling wheel of a cart, fixed by
the pin of its axle shaft. Sutta Nipata
5.18
Sikhism
Falsehood shall be destroyed; truth in the
end shall prevail. Adi
Granth,Ramakali-ki-Var, M:1 p.953
Taoism
The ten thousand things all come from the
same seed, and with their different forms
they give place to one another. Beginning
and end are part of a single ring and no
one can comprehend its principle. This is
called Heaven the Equaliser. Chuang Tzu 27
Judaism
Righteousness and justice are the
foundations of thy throne; steadfast love
and faithfulness go before thee. Psalm
89.14
Confucianism
In the Book of Songs it is said; the
ordinance of God, how inscrutable it is
and goes on for ever. Doctrine of the Mean
26.10
Jainism
The question as to when the union of soul
with karma for the first time cannot
arise, since this is a beginningless
relation like gold and stone. Pancadhyayi
2.35-36
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Love and service
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Christianity
Jesus Said: "You know that the rulers
of the Gentiles have power over them, and
their leaders exercise authority over
them. It shall not be so among you; but
whoever would be great among you must be
your servant, and whoever would be first
among you must be your slave, even as the
Son of man came not to be served but to
serve, and to give his life as a ransom to
many." Bible: Matthew 20.25-28
Islam
A man once asked the Prophet what was the
best thing in Islam, and Mohammed replied,
"It is to feed the hungry and to give
the greeting of peace both to those one
knows and to those one does not
know." Hadith of Bukhari
Hindusim
The ignorant work for their profit,
Arjuna; the wise work for the welfare of
the world, without thought to themselves.
By abstaining from work you will confuse
the ignorant, who are engrossed in their
actions. Perform all work carefully,
guided by compassion. Bhagavad Gita
3.25-26
Buddhism
The bodhisattva should adopt the same
attitude toward all beings, his mind
should be even toward all beings, his mind
should be even toward all beings, he
should not handle others with an uneven
mind, but with a mind which is friendly,
well-disposed, helpful, free from
aversions, avoiding harm and hurt; he
should handle others as if they were his
mother, father, son, or daughter. As a
saviour of all beings should a bodhisattva
behave toward all beings. So should he
train himself if he wants to know full
enlightenment. Perfection of Wisdom in
Eight Thousand Lines 321-322
Sikhism
One who serves and seeks no recompense
finds union with the Lord. Such a servant
alone takesthe Master's guidance, says
Nanak, as on him is divine grace. Adi
Granth, Gauri Sukhmani, M:5 p.286
Taoism
He who can find no room for others lacks
fellow feeling, and to him who lacks
fellow feeling, all men are strangers.
Chuang Tzu 23
Judaism
He who prays for his fellowman, while he
himself has the same need, will be
answered first. Talmud, Baba Kamma 92a
Confucianism
"Mencius said: "'Benevolence'
means 'man.' When two are conjoined, the
result is 'the Way.'" Menicus VII
B:16
Baha'i Faith
Be in perfect unity. Never become angry
with on another. Let your eyes be directed
toward the kingdom of truth and not toward
the world of creation. Love the creatures
for the sake of God and not for
themselves. You will never become angry or
impatient if you love them for the sake of
God. Humanity is not perfect. There are
imperfections in every human being, and
you will always become unhappy if you look
towards the people themselves. But if you
look toward God, you will love them and be
kind to them, for the world of God is the
world of perfection and complete mercy.
Therefore do not look at the shortcomings
of anybody; see with the sight of
forgiveness. The imperfect eye beholds
imperfections. The eye that covers faults
looks toward the Creator of souls. He
created them, trains and provides for
them, endows them with capacity and life,
sight and hearing; therefore they are the
signs of His grandeur. You must love and
be kind to everybody, care for the poor,
protect the weak, heal the sick, teach and
educate the ignorant. Baha'u'llah's
Teachings on Spiritual Reality 10.4
Jainism
Have benevolence toward all living beings,
joy at the sight of the virtuous,
compassion and sympathy for the afflicted,
and tolerance towards the indolent and
ill-behaved. Tattvarthasutra 7.11
Shintoism
Even though it be the home of someone who
has managed for long to avoid misfortune,
we gods will not enter into the dwelling
of a person with perverse disposition.
Even though it be a dwelling where a man
be in mourning for father and mother, if
he be a man of compassion, we deities will
enter in there. Oracle of Kasuga
African
Traditional Religions
Gentle character it is which enables the
rope of life to stay unbroken in one's
hand. Yoruba Proverb
Zoroastrianism
May generosity triumph over niggardliness,
May love triumph over contempt, May the
true-spoken word triumph over the
false-spoken word, May truth triumph over
falsehood. Yasna, 60.5
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FAITH
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Christianity
Jesus said: "For verily I say unto
you if you have faith as a grain of
mustard seed, you shall say unto this
mountain, 'Remove hence to yonder place';
and it shall remove; and nothing shall be
impossible unto you." Bible: Matthew
20.25-28
Islam
The true believers are those whose hearts
are filled with awe at the mention of God
and whose faith grows stronger as they
listen to His revelations. They put their
trust in their Lord, pray steadfastly, and
give in alms of that which we have given
them. Such are the true believers. They
shall be exalted and forgiven by the Lord,
and a generous provision shall be made for
them. Qur'an 8.2-4
Hindusim
Faith is composed of the heart's
intention. Light comes through faith.
Through faith men come to prayer, Faith in
the morning, faith at noon and at the
setting of the sun. O Faith, give us
faith! Rig Veda 10.155.4-5
Buddhism
By faith you shall be free and go beyond
the world of death. Sutta Nipata 1146
Sikhism
Through faith man finds the Door of
Liberation: Even his relatives are
liberated through him. Through faith are
both Preceptor and disciple liberated.
Says Nanak, One with faith Need not wander
about begging for divine grace. The great,
immaculate Name of God May only be
realized by one Whose mind is firmly fixed
in faith Adi Granth, Japuji Sahib 15
Judaism
Unless you have believed, you will not
understand. Isaiah 7.9
Confucianism
He who does not understand the will of
Heaven cannot be regarded as a gentleman.
Analects 20.3.1
Baha'i Faith
Through the power of faith, obey ye the
teachings of God,and let all your actions
conform to his laws. Thus may each one of
you be even as a candle casting its light,
the centre of attraction wherever people
come together; and from you, as from a bed
of flowers, may sweet scents be shed.
Baha'u'llah's Teachings on Spiritual
Reality 7.8
Jainism
Without faith there is no knowledge,
without knowledge there is no virtuous
conduct, without virtues there is no
deliverance, and without deliverance there
is no perfection. Uttaradhyayana Sutra
28.30 Purity
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PURITY
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Christianity
Jesus said: "Blessed are the pure in
heart for they shall see God." Bible:
Matthew 5.8
Islam
For everything there is an appropriate way
of polishing; the heat's polishing is the
remembrance of God. Hadith of Tirmidhi
Hindusim
The body is cleansed by water, the
internal organ is purified by
truthfulness, the individual soul by
sacred learning and austerities and the
intellect by true knowledge. Laws of Manu
5.109
Buddhism
Make thyself an island, work hard, be
wise! When thy impurities are blown away,
and thou art free from guilt, thou wilt
enter into the heavenly world of the elect
(Ariya). Dhammapada 236
Sikhism
By purity of heart alone is the holy
Eternal attained. Adi Granth, Asa-ki-Var
M:1 p.472
Taoism
The mind of the perfect man is like a
mirror. It does not lean forward in its
response to things. It responds to things
but conceals nothing of its own. Therefore
it is able to deal with things without
injury to its reality. Chuang Tzu 7
Judaism
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put
a new right spirit within me. Psalm 51.10
Baha'i Faith
O my brother! A pure heart is as a mirror;
cleanse it with the burnish of love and
severance from all save God, that the true
sun may shine within it and the eternal
morning dawn. The Seven Valleys and The
Four Valleys, 21
Shintoism
All you who come before me, hoping to
attain the accomplishment of your desires,
pray with hearts pure from falsehood,
clean within and without, reflecting the
truth like a mirror. Uttaradhyayana Sutra
28.30
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PATIENCE AND PERSEVERANCE
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Christianity
He who endures to the end shall be saved.
Bible: Matthew 5.8
Islam
Patiently, then, persevere for the promise
of God is true. And ask forgiveness for
your sin, and celebrate the praises of
your Lord in the evening and in the
morning. Hadith of Tirmidhi
Hindusim
Though he be ever so tired by repeated
failure, let him begin his operations
again and again; for fortune greatly
favours the man who perseveres in his
undertakings. Laws of Manu 9.300
Buddhism
Heedful among the heedless, wide awake
amongst the slumbering, the wise man
advances as does a swift horse, leaving a
weak jade behind. Dhammapada 29
Sikhism
Make patience thy arrow, patience again
thy bow and then aim at the life-object
and, lo, thou winnest by God's Grace.
Shlokas of Farid
Judaism
Perseverance prevails even against Heaven.
Talmud Sanhedrin 105a
Confucianism
Menicus said: "To try to achieve
anything is like digging a well. You can
dig a hole nine fathoms deep, but if you
fail to reach the source of water, it is
just an abandoned well." Menicus
VII.A.29
Baha'i Faith
From the exalted source, and out of the
essence of His favour and bounty He hath
entrusted every created thing with a sign
of His knowledge, so that none of His
creatures may be deprived of its share in
expressing each according to its capacity
and rank, this knowledge. This sign is the
mirror of His beauty in the world of
creation. The greater the effort exerted
for the refinement of this sublime and
noble mirror, the more faithfully will it
be made to reflect the glory of the names
and attributes of God, and reveal the
wonders of His signa and knowledge. There
can be no doubt whatever that, in
consequence of the efforts which every man
may consciously exert and as a result of
the exertion pf his own spiritual
faculties, this mirror can be so cleansed
from the dross of earthly defilements and
purged from satanic fancies as to be able
to draw nigh unto the meads of eternal
holiness and attain the courts of
everlasting fellowship. Baha'u'llah's
Teachings on Spiritual Reality 13.1
Jainism
You have crossed the great ocean; why do
you halt so near the shore? Make haste to
get on the other side, Gautama; be careful
all the while! Uttaradhyayana Sutra 10.34
Native American
Religions
You will be running to the four corners of
the universe: To where the land meets the
big water; To where the home of winter is;
To the home of rain. Run this! Run! Be
strong! For you are the mother of a
people. Apache Song
African Tradional
Religions
The snail has no hands, The snail has no
feet, Gently the snail climbs the tree.
Yoruba Proverb
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