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The Golden Rule truly knows no boundaries and is a proven tenet upon which peace can be built.
The Sow Peace golden rule is “Give only what you are willing to receive in life.”
Many thanks to Dave at www.SunCoastCentral.com for sharing this comprehensive illustrated copy below with us – so we can also share it with you.
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Baha’i 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. Bahauullah, Gleanings |
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Buddhism Treat not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful. The Buddha, Udana-Varga 5.18
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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
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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
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Hinduism This is the sum of duty; do not do to others what would cause pain if done to you. Mahabharata 5:1517
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Islam Not one of you truly beleives until you wish for others what you wish for yourself. The Prophet Muhammad, Hadith
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Jainism One should treat all creatures in the world as one would like to be treated. Mahavira, Sutrakritanga
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Judaism What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour. This is the whole Torha; all the rest is commentary. Go and learn it. Hillel, Talmud, Shabbath 31a
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Native Spirituality We are as much alive as we keep the earth alive. Chief Dan George
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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
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Taoism Regard your neighbour’s gain as your own gain and your neighbour’s loss as your own loss. Lao Tzu, T’ai Shang Kan Ying P’ien, 213-218
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Unitarianism We affirm and promote respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. Unitarian principle
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Zoroastrianism Do not do unto others whatever is injurious to yourself. Shayast-na-Shayast 13.29
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Shinto The heart of the person before you is a mirror. See there your own form Shinto Saying
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Humanism Don’t do things you wouldn’t want to have done to you. British Humanist Society
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Plato May I do to others as I would that they should do unto me. Greek Philosopher
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Socrates Do not do to others that which would anger you if others did it to you. Greek Philosopher
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Kant Act as if the maxim of thy action were to become by thy will a universal law of nature. Immanual Kant, Categorical Imperative
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3 Comments on The Golden Rule
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Our world is continuously changing, and in this changing world we can’t remain as we are, nor can we go back to conditions that are now behind us. We can only move forward, but not on the same path which has been leading us into war, conflict, violence, hunger, discrimination, poverty, disrespect, hate and all the other negative elements. We should not go on living in crisis and conflict. The world need not remain violent, and economically, socially and ecologically unsustainable. We can progress towards harmony, cooperation, livable communities, and a value system that nourishes and sustains us and all things that live on this Earth. For this to happen we need to follow the Pathway to Peace—a path which lead as from war to peace, from killing each other to co-existence, from disrespect to honoring each other, from hate to love, from despair to hope, from darkness to light, from being selfish to living for the sake of others and from revenge to forgiveness. We need to be guided by the Golden Rule and spiritual values.
Therefore it is a high time for all of us, as a citizen of this planet, to live with a sense of universal responsibility, identifying ourselves with the whole living beings and things and Mother earth. Every one of us shares responsibility for the present and future well-being of all life on Earth. As much as we claim our right we need also to bear in mind our personal responsibility. We must recognize that in the midst of magnificent diversity of cultures, religions, ethnicities and race we are part of one human family with a common destiny.
It is an idea whose time has come for us to join hands together more than ever to bring forth a sustainable global society founded on global ethic based on the teaching of the Golden Rule. To reflect on the Golden Rule is to reflect from the perspective of universal wisdom and a Global Ethic.
The Golden Rule is found in numerous cultures, religions, ethical systems, secular philosophies, and indigenous traditions. And because the Golden Rule crosses so many traditions and philosophies, it possesses tremendous moral authority and reveals a profound unity underlying the diversity of human experience. It is a common denominator of all life on Earth. The Golden Rule also emphasizes values of mutuality, interdependence and reciprocity. Given its omnipresence across history, the Golden Rule could be described as a universal ethical principle.
The Golden Rule is a universal principle that says “treat others the way you want to be treated.” The message of the Golden Rule is simple, universal and powerful and is the most prevalent and universal moral principle in human history. It has been affirmed in many religions, traditions, indigenous cultures and secular philosophies as a fundamental principle of life and the foundation upon which the base of a global ethic is found.
The Golden Rule, with roots in a wide range of world cultures, is well suited to be a standard to which different cultures could appeal in resolving conflicts. As the world becomes more and more a single interacting global community, the need for such a common standard is becoming more urgent and is endorsed by all the great world religions.
If we truly want to open a new chapter in human history and see a new world based on a culture of peace and social justice, I believe it is high time to promote the Golden Rule throughout the world as it is a fundamental principle that addresses critical issues such as democracy, human rights, respect for each other, gender equity, social development, interfaith harmony, constructive dialogue among nations, conflict prevention and right human relationship. By acting wisely, effectively and collectively under the Golden Rule we can create a more peaceful, ethical and better world for all.
With this core values in mind, in 2007 the Interfaith Peace-building Initiative (IPI) based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and a member organization of United Religions Initiative (URI) declared April 5 as a “Golden Rule Day” and called upon all citizens of the world, religious leaders of the world, mayors, heads of state of the world, the United Nations, the African Union, the European Union, the League of Arab States, interfaith organizations, schools, higher learning institutions, the business community and civil society to join IPI in proclaiming this day as Golden Rule Day and to live accordingly to make this world a better place for all and the coming generation.
In addition to this IPI also started a Golden Rule Goodwill Ambassador programme to highlight more the need of Golden Rule to promote a culture of peace, interfaith harmony and Global Ethic.
May Peace and the Golden Rule Prevail on Earth
Dear Mussie,
Thank you so much for your eloquent writing on your work and the Golden Rule. Let us join with you in celebrating both April 5 and your Ambassador programme to truly sow peace in the hearts and lives of men, women and children.
Sow Peace,
Rhoberta
Rhoberta Shaler, PhD
Founder, Sow Peace
Thank you Mussie for sharing this on Golden Rule. Our world need to listen more good news like this.