Sunday, January 16, 2022, is World Religion Day. This observance was initially started by followers of the Bahá’í faith in 1959. One of the tenets of the Bahá’í faith is that all religions have common features, and that they should be respected equally.
Followers of the Bahá’í faith believe that all humans are born equal, and that we all have the same rights regardless of our faith.
There are hundreds of nations with thousands of cultures that stretch back into pre-history. Throughout all that time countless religions and/or spiritual traditions have risen to prominence.
Whether you’re Hindu, Jewish, Catholic, Shinto, Buddhist, Christian or one of a million other faiths and/or spiritual traditions World Religion Day provides an opportunity to share your religion and/or spiritual tradition with others while having an opportunity to learn from others about theirs.
The goal of world Religion Day is to promote understanding and peace between all religions and/or spiritual traditions as well as mutual understanding and tolerance between peoples from different backgrounds.
One of the common features among the religions and/or spiritual traditions of the world is The Golden Rule also known as the Ethic of Reciprocity:
Bahá'í Faith “Lay not on any soul a load that you would not wish to be laid upon you, and desire not for anyone the things you would not desire for yourself.” Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings
Buddhism “Treat not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.” The Buddha, Udana-Varga 5.18
Christianity “In everything, do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.” Jesus, Matthew 7:12
Confucianism “One word which sums up the basis of all good conduct.... loving-kindness. Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself.” Confucius, Analects 15.23
Hinduism “This is the sum of duty: do not do to others what would cause pain if done to you.” Mahabharata 5:1517
Islam “Not one of you truly believes until you wish for others what you wish for yourself.” The Prophet Muhammad, Hadith
Jainism “One should treat all creatures in the world as one would like to be treated.” Mahavira, Sutrakritanga 1.11.33
Judaism “What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor. This is the whole Torah; all the rest is commentary. Go and learn it.” Hillel, Talmud, Shabbath 31a
Native Spirituality “We are as much alive as we keep the earth alive.” Chief Dan George
Sikhism “I am a stranger to no one; and no one is a stranger to me. Indeed, I am a friend to all.” Guru Granth Sahib, p.1299
Taoism “Regard your neighbor’s gain as your own gain and your neighbor’s loss as your own loss.”- Lao Tzu, T'ai Shang Kan Ying P'ien, 213-218
Unitarianism “We affirm and promote respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.” Unitarian Principle
Zoroastrianism “Do not do unto others whatever is injurious to yourself.” Shayast-na-Shayast 13.29
Acknowledgements: This original English version was prepared by Paul McKenna. Published by Scarboro Missions (Toronto, Canada) Copyright © Scarboro Missions 2000
I thank you for reading, be blessed this day!
Comentários