Ten Teachings Shared By All Religions: Sharing and Caring in Every Season

Extract from www.theharmonyinstitute.org

"This document is uncopyrighted. All are encouraged to print, copy, and distribute it. It is available online at http://www.theharmonyinstitute.org/tenteachings.html "
 From the book, The Message That Comes From Everywhere: Exploring The Common Core of the World's Religions and Modern Science, by Gary L. Beckwith, ISBN 0970112564.

 

 

1. One God

“The Lord is our God, The Lord is One” – Shema, Hebrew Prayer
“Allah is One” – Qura’an, 112:1
“The One is Lord of all the moves” – Rig Veda III.54.8 (Hinduism)
“There is only One God.” -Chief Seattle

2. God is Everywhere

“I fill the Heaven and the Earth.” – the Bible, Jer 23:24
“The whole world is Brahman.” – the Upanishads (Hinduism)
“How majestic is your presence in all the earth!” the Bible, Psalm 8
“We think of Tirawa (God) as in everything” Lenape Indian interview

3. The Existence of the Soul

“Fear not them which are able to kill the body but not able to kill the soul”
- Bible, Matthew 10:20
“A soul will not die” Qura’an 3:145
“For the soul there is never birth nor death. It is not slain when the body is slain”
- Bhagavad Gita (Hinduism)
“And it came to pass, as her soul was departing, (for she died)”
- Bible, Genesis 35:18

4. God is Inside of Us

“We know that He dwell in us because he has given us of his Spirit.”
- Bible 1John 13
“God dwelleth in all hearts” – Bhagavad Gita
“The One God is hidden in all living things” – the Upanishads (Hinduism)
“All animals have power because the Great Spirit dwells in all of them”
- Lame Deer, Sioux Chief
“The Kingdom of God is within you.” – Jesus
“He to whom you pray is nearer than the neck of your camel.”
– Prophet Muhammad(SAW)

 

5. Spiritual Knowledge is Accessible to Everyone

“All who dwell on earth may find you” – Jewish Prayer Book
“True knowledge can only be attained by a human being.” – Krishna
“Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave” – Prophet Muhammad(SAW)
“The sage who is intent on yoga comes to Brahman without long delay” -
Bhagavad-gita (Hinduism)
“Take heed of the Living One while you are alive, lest you die and seek
to see Him, and be unable to do so.”- Jesus, Gospel of Thomas
“Search with sincerity and in the end you will find the truth.” -Buddha
“If thou seekest hidden treasures, thou shall find the knowledge of God”
-Bible, Proverbs

6. God’s Name: “I AM”

Although all religions have different native languages, most contain
similar teachings about God’s name. Many of them tell us that God’s
name can’t actually be pronounced, or that giving God a name is like
putting a limit on something that is limitless. As well, many of the
religions have several names for God. One name that the religions
share is the phrase “I AM.” This is shown in Exodus 3:14 and John 8:58
of the Bible, and in the Shatapatha Brahmana of the Hindu faith. The
sacred word Soham for Hindus is translated as “I am that I am,” the
exact same phrase as in Exodus 3:14.

7. Compassion and Respect for Everyone

“All beings long for happiness. Therefore extend thy compassion to all.
He who wishes his own happiness, let him cultivate goodwill
towards all the world” – Buddha
“Love your enemies. Bless them that curse you. For if you love only
those that love you, what reward have ye? -Jesus
“Judge everybody favorably” – the Talmud (Jewish sacred book)

8. Morals: Don’t Kill, Lie, Steal, Covet

The Ten Commandments, the Ten Precepts of the Buddha, and verse
16:1 of the Bhagavad-gita all clearly state these and other shared
moralistic teachings.

9. All of Humanity is United

“God hath made of one blood all nations that dwell upon the face of the

Earth” -Bible, Acts 17:16
“All creatures are members of the one family of God” – Prophet Muhammad(SAW)
“Human beings, all, are as head, arms, trunk, and legs unto one
another” – The Vedas
“One thing we know. All men are brothers” – Chief Seattle
“All people are your children, whatever their belief, whatever their shade
of skin”
- Jewish prayer book

 

10. Peace and Nonviolence

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be known as the Children
of God.” – Bible, Mt 5:9
“And make not Allah an obstacle to your doing good and guarding
against evil and making peace between men,” – Qura’an 2:224
“… nonviolence, absence of anger, equanimity, abstaining from
malicious talk, compassion for all creatures, gentleness,
forgiveness, absence of malice, and absence of pride — these are
some of the qualities of those endowed with divine virtues.” –
Bhagavad-gita Ch. 16
“May Your children unite and do your will: to establish peace and justice
throughout the world, so that nations are drawn together by the
bond of friendship.” – Jewish Prayer Book

 
On the same shelf:
About Ten Teachings are also posted (some within their own context)

• Psychology – Giving and Receiving the Spirit of the Season @ Family Guiding
• Cure Ignorance @ utne.com Posted by Gary L. Beckwith, About.com Forums
• Neelank Sharma's Empower Blog 
• Summary of World Views about Ritual, by Alan Murray

COMMON THEMES: All the worldviews represented here use rituals, festivals, etc, and recognise their importance for most people. There are some differing views on their ultimate value, but there is a great deal of common ground:
• Rituals, regular or weekly services/meetings and occasional festivals are typical of all religions and cultures
• Rituals help us reflect on the important things and events in life
• Rituals are also an important feature of everyday life for most people (eg bowing, shaking hands)
• Elaborate ceremonials, using art, music, dance, etc are important in most religions and cultures
• Many religious and secular festivals have built on or incorporated old pagan or nature festivals
• Most family/community celebrations (eg weddings, baptism, initiation ceremonies) are both religious and non-religious
• Most festivals involve meals, eating and drinking, special or new clothes, flowers, etc