THE GOLDEN RULE || HINDUISM || This is the sum of duty: do not do to others what would cause pain if done to you. ~ Mahabharata 5:1517 || ABORIGINAL SPIRITUALITY || We are as much alive as we keep the Earth alive. ~ Chief Dan George || BAHA'I 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. ~ Baha'u'llah, 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 || 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 || JUDAISM || What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor. This is the whole Torah; all the rest is commentary. ~ Hillel, Talmud, Shabbath 31a || 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, pg. 1299 || TAOISM || Regard your neighbor's gain as your own gain and your neighbor's loss as your own loss. ~ 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 http://global-forum.org/goldenrule.html Golden Rule, Religions and the UN 4 January 2002 Interfaith Delegation Presents Golden Rules from Thirteen Religions to the United Nations GOLDEN RULES FOR PEACE by Joel Beversluis A few months ago, my grandson recited a not-so-golden rule from the playground: "Do to others as they do to you." This isn't what his parents teach him, and it's not his rule. But I do wonder what he's learning, especially from those who lead our commerce, governance, and media? Will he conclude that self-interest and retribution are the laws of this planet? Believing otherwise, eight ambassadors from the North American Interfaith Network (NAIN) carried a collection of Golden Rules from thirteen religions to the United Nations. We'd been invited to visit with the Assistant Secretary-General, Mrs. Gillian Sorensen, to present a framed Golden Rules poster to her for the UN. In an unexpected synchronicity with our presentation, a colorful exhibit from the Global Ethic Foundation in Tubingen was gracing the lobby of the UN, with posters and booklets describing the major world religions. The display presented the principles of a Global Ethic as they'd been drafted by Dr. Hans Kung and others, and as they'd been approved at the 1993 Parliament of the World's Religions. The exhibit also featured a selection of Golden Rules from seven religions. We had come to the United Nations because it provides a unique forum where the subtleties of these universal principles of the Golden Rule can be translated, for the benefit of all, into the treaties and documents governing inter-state relations. Despite the UN's secular, pragmatic, and sometimes anti-religious climate, diverse versions of these spiritually- informed principles are very appropriate there because the principles transcend cultures, religions, and nations. No other statements so clearly summarize the simple practices of kindness and sustainable human conduct. The arrangements for our visit to the UN had been made by Jonathan Granoff and Sister Joan Kirby from Temple of Understanding, one of the founding organizations of our interfaith network. Working with political and spiritual leaders since 1960, the Temple had first published these Golden Rules in its literature some 15 years ago. Others in our delegation included Rev. Deborah Moldow from United Religions Initiative-UN chapter; Father Terrence Gallagher from Scarboro Missions in Toronto; Ralph Singh, Secretary of the NAIN Board; and Dr. Elias Mallon, a founder of NAIN and Dean of Auburn Seminary. Passing up from the lobby through heavy security, we were escorted to the 38th floor, where Mrs. Sorensen welcomed us into her office. Outside her windows on Manhattan Island are the site of the Twin Towers, the Hudson River flowing out to the Atlantic, and the world beyond, with all its needs and possibilities. Together with some of her staff, we sat in a circle and briefly discussed how the Golden Rules apply to international affairs. I was honored to read our prepared Statement [printed below]. One paragraph explains that in recent years, gatherings of numerous religious and spiritual leaders have agreed that "this ancient precept is found and has persisted in many religious and ethical traditions of humankind for thousands of years. . . [and] should be the irrevocable, unconditional norm for all areas of life, for families and communities, for races, nations, and religions" (Toward a Global Ethic). I read further how the Golden Rules are already implicit in UN documents such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights-- those rights we wish for ourselves shall also be granted to others. The ancient precepts also imply our common needs, aspirations and responsibilities--our interdependence as the human family, as part of the web of life on Earth. In our Statement we particularly noted the need for moral responses to environmental recklessness and the inherent immorality of nuclear weapons. Some in our group took the opportunity to speak from the heart, offering concrete applications. As President of the Global Security Institute, Jonathan Granoff knows better than most the potential for catastrophe each day in a world where the US and Russia still maintain enough nuclear weapons on high alert to destroy civilization, and where China, the UK, France, Israel, Pakistan and India threaten future generations with unacceptable catastrophe. Jonathan eloquently explained our conviction that nations must treat other nations as they wish to be treated. That nations must not do to others what they would not want done to themselves. That nations and their leaders ignore these universal laws of reciprocity at enormous hazard to us all. Ralph Singh told the story of Gobind Sadan, his Sikh community in Syracuse, New York. Its place of worship, a large farmhouse, had been destroyed by an ignorant and hateful act of arson after the attacks of September 11. But the community responded from a place of love, with a statement and prayer of forgiveness. "If we show hatred to those who act against us . . . we will only perpetuate the cycle of violence that exists in the world. By forgiving our enemies we have the opportunity to create peace." In a touching response, Mrs. Sorensen affirmed that, while she is not much engaged in a traditional religion, she has very high regard for personal spiritual commitments and for a global ethical standard. She also suggested that Secretary-General Kofi Annan is strengthened and centered by a spirituality that incorporates ideals such as these universal Golden Rules. I recalled that his recent acceptance speech of the Nobel Peace Prize to the United Nations indicated appreciation for such ideals as well as for the potential peace-making role of the world's religious and spiritual communities. We stood together after our conversation for a simple conclusion. Father Terrence Gallagher offered a non-sectarian prayer and a song, in his Irish tenor, for peace, flowing like a river. And the Rev. Deborah Moldow led us in the benediction from the World Peace Prayer Society: "May Peace Prevail on Earth." With such a rich agenda, we overstayed our appointed time. The presentation may have been unusual on that floor, but we know that numerous people of faith and vision are carrying on the blessed work of peace-making in the UN community, in non-governmental organizations, and elsewhere. The year 2002, early in the Decade for a Culture of Peace, begins with new hope. The citizens of Earth are seeking the true meaning of peace with renewed impetus, learning that no nation will find peace until it wants for others the same peace and security it seeks for itself. It was a small pilgrimage we took, to place another brick in the path toward peace, to send a ripple across the waters. As with all pilgrimages, we went in part to express and renew our own souls. But we also went to the UN as an inter-religious witness to the nations and leaders. And we'll continue to proclaim golden precepts, especially for the children and grandchildren. Our simple message is that we are each responsible to seek not only our own benefit, but also what is good for others, as they see it. There rests the balance, the common good. From the playground to places of power, there is no higher calling. * * * * * THE GOLDEN RULES Gathered for the Golden Rule poster by Paul McKenna Aboriginal Spirituality We are as much alive as we keep the Earth alive. - Chief Dan George Baha'i 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. - Baha'u'llah, 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 Judaism What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor. This is the whole Torah; all the rest is commentary. - Hillel, Talmud, Shabbath 31a 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, pg. 1299 Taoism Regard your neighbor's gain as your own gain and your neighbor's loss as your own loss. - 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 * * * * * The Statement GOLDEN RULES FOR A CULTURE OF PEACE Presented to Mrs. Gillian Sorensen, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations, on January 4, 2002 Because the United Nations is a home for our highest human ideals, and because the world's religions have a duty to articulate and promote those ideals, we are honored to present you with "The Golden Rule." In this poster, thirteen religious and spiritual traditions state a universal principle in elegant and distinctive forms. These Golden Rules are evidence of a Global Ethic that transcends nations, civilizations, and religions. Yet no other statements so clearly summarize the simple practices of kindness and sustainable human conduct. In recent years, gatherings of religious and spiritual leaders have confirmed that "this ancient precept is found and has persisted in many religious and ethical traditions of humankind for thousands of years. . . [and] should be the irrevocable, unconditional norm for all areas of life, for families and communities, for races, nations, and religions" (Toward a Global Ethic). The United Nations provides a unique forum where the subtleties of this universal principle can be translated into the realm of international affairs. We are inspired by key United Nations documents such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and its premise that those rights we wish for ourselves shall be granted to others as well. Equally challenging is the principle that no nation will find peace until it wants for others the same peace and security it seeks for itself. We believe that these Golden Rules, also known as the "law of reciprocity," must be obeyed by all nations, and that, in the interests of global security, no nations or leaders may exempt themselves. Whatever is hateful or injurious to ourselves, we must not do to others. Failure to adhere to these moral principles brings great hazards to all, ranging from unsustainable development practices to environmental crises and nuclear threats with their inherent potential for catastrophe. Nations must treat other nations as they wish to be treated. Together, these precepts remind us that our diversity can flourish within a greater and simpler unity--the human family, with its common origins, needs, and aspirations. The Golden Rules teach that no one--no nation, culture, or religion-- is an island unto itself. Drawing on time-tested wisdom and experience, they presume our interdependence and declare our personal responsibility for the common good. * * * * * PHOTO CAPTION [Photo attached: the Presentation, by Joginder Kaur] Presenting a framed Golden Rule poster to the Secretariat of the United Nations were leaders from the North American Interfaith Network and some of its member organizations and friends: Rev. Deborah Moldow from United Religions Initiative at the UN and World Peace Prayer Society; Sister Joan Kirby, Representative to the UN from Temple of Understanding; Father Terrence Gallagher, from Scarboro Missions in Toronto; Joel Beversluis, Editor of the NAIN newsletter and CoNexus Multifaith Media; Mrs. Gillian Sorensen, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations for External Affairs; Jonathan Granoff, from Temple of Understanding, Bawa Muhaiyadeen Fellowship, and Global Security Institute; Ralph Singh, Secretary of the NAIN Board, from Gobind Sadan-USA; and Dr. Elias Mallon, a founder of NAIN and Dean of Auburn Seminary. * * * * * CREDITS The framed Golden Rules poster was presented by the Board of the North American Interfaith Network (which has sixty-five member organizations) and Scarboro Missions, on behalf of the people in the many religious, spiritual and humanistic communities who honor these Golden Rules. Paul McKenna and Scarboro Missions of Toronto produced the Golden Rules poster. It is distributed by CoNexus Multifaith Media and can be viewed or purchased at www.conexuspress.com DISTRIBUTE THIS ARTICLE AS YOU WISH TO YOUR LIST Copyright Joel Beversluis, January 14, 2002 Joel D. Beversluis is Editor of NAINews and Interfaith Digest , a member of Interfaith Dialogue Association, and proprietor of CoNexus Multifaith Media. Electronic distribution of these materials, in full or in part, is granted to all who include appropriate credits and who do not materially change the meaning.