Fundamental Principles Shared By All Religions
The Bible tells us that there are laws of nature—“ordinances of heaven and earth” (Jeremiah 33:25). These laws describe the way God normally accomplishes His will in the universe.
There are roughly 4,200 religions in the world. There are five basic religions namely; Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam. They have over 25 core principles that run uniformly through the world’s major religious teachings — as put forth by Jesus, Mohammed, Buddha, Krishna, Shankara, Confucius etc.
After years of research by different authors and social scientist, they arrived at a conclusion that these fundamental principles cannot be aborted whether one is aware of them or not. It governs the universe. Only the Creator can altered it. However we will examine 7 core principles in this article. They are as follows:
1. One God: All things generate from one access. Whatever name each religion chooses to call divinity, the basic principle of this major religions states, all people and all things are of one essence. Everything originate from One supreme creator. However, Buddhist have different gods and deities. Hinduism belief One Supreme Reality (Brahman) manifested in many gods and goddesses. Other religions who practice one God is Judaism, Deism, Cao Dai,Eckankar, Hare Krishna, New Age, Rastafarianism, Spiritualism, Zoroastrianism etc
“The Lord is our God, The Lord is One” -Shema, Hebrew Prayer
“Allah is One” - Koran,112:1
“The One is Lord of all the moves” - Rig Veda III.54.8(Hinduism)
“There is only One God.” -Chief Seattle
2. Golden Rule: It is also called the ethic of reciprocity. It is a general moral principle. The principle states "don't treat others in a way that you would not like to be treated" OR “Do unto others what you would have them do unto you (Mat. 7:12).” Either way the message is the same. Life they say is a mirror.
“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
"What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow: this is the whole Torah; the rest is the explanation; go and learn".— Shabbath folio:31a, Babylonian Talmud"
None of you [truly] believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself."— An-Nawawi's Forty Hadith 13 (p. 56)
One should never do that to another which one regards as injurious to one’s own self. This, in brief, is the rule of dharma. Other behavior is due to selfish desires.— Brihaspati, Mahabharata
3. Law of Karma: This principle simply means; "what goes around, comes around." Most religions have their own interpretation of karma and warn followers that your choices and actions have consequences. I will examine the principle of Karma only in principle and not in the area of reincarnation. Karma is the Sanskrit word for action. It is equivalent to Newton's law of 'every action must have a reaction'. A good action creates good karma, as does good intent. A bad action creates bad karma, as does bad intent.
Buddhism teaches the joy of not being in debt and finding your career path. Still, the things that make us happiest in life are not things we can add up with a whatever deeds they do—good or evil—of such they will be the heirs - Buddhism. Christian Bible states you will reap what you sow(Galatians 6:7). This is the great mystery of human life. Aware or unaware, all are ruled by this inevitable principle. Though in some cases the Lord has shown mercy.
4. Give : Studies have found that the most successful people tend to be givers rather than takers, and religions advocate this idea of selflessness and charity. Christians often use the term "stewardship" when referring to financial giving while Jews use "tzedakah" to refer to "acts of charity" which include charitable giving. A general definition of "charity" is: "A voluntary giving of money or other help to those in need."
"Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full--pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap".-Luke 6:38
"Go your ways, oh monks, for the benefit of many, for the happiness of many, out of compassion for the world, for the good, benefit and happiness of gods and men".-Buddha
Albert Einstein went so far as to declare that Judaism isn't really a religion, but a tradition that celebrates the beauty of every single life .
"(Founder) Guru Nanak said that if you want to meet God, serve the poor people," Johar says.
"Be like the flower that gives its fragrance to even the hand that crushes it." - Imam Ali ibn
5. All humans are united: This simply means since we all originate from one source, the world is one family. We are all united regardless of what family we belong to. It can also be referred to as Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam is a Sanskrit phrase found in Hindu texts such as the Maha Upanishad, which means "the world is one family". A harm to one maybe a harm to all. Baba said, “The whole universe is our home and all residing in it belong to our family. Every woman is a mother or sister and every man a father or brother. This is all God’s family. You can do service of the highest order only if your thoughts are centered on God. Instead of trying to see God in a particular appearance, it is better to see him in everything.” The bottom line is, life is about the people you're with, a sense of community with those around you; nothing else matters nearly as much. Great success is not in paper notes, it is in service to others.
More so, Catholic mass includes, shaking of hands with the strangers "peace be with you" in your pew—I bestow peace on you, you bestow it on me, and at least in that moment everything is right with the world. Islam's five daily prayer practices, for example, bring followers together throughout the day, as do other religion's formal, regular services.
“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” - Muhammad
“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
6. Aim for achievements, not money: Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Judaism seem to agree that more money doesn't always mean more happiness. Material possessions are great, but happiness doesn't come from the items you own.
Money can also distract you from the bigger picture, as Jesus said: It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
Imam Ali ibn abi Talib says: "The parable of this world is like your shadow - If you stop, it stands still. If you chase it, it distances itself from you."
Buddhism teaches the joy of not being in debt and finding your career path. Still, the things that make us happiest in life are not things we can add up with a calculator.
7. Know Yourself: Although religions have very structured practices, self-reflection is strongly encouraged. A Christian writer John Calvin acknowledges that sound wisdom are of two parts; the knowledge of God and of ourselves. Calvin argued that one could not truly know God without knowing oneself and that one couldn't truly know oneself without knowing God. Calvin acknowledged the obvious dilemma in saying, "which one precedes and brings forth the other is not easy to discern." There is need for an intimate relationship with God. Without that, you will only acquire vain knowledge. This explains why we have many persons who can preach perfectly but their personal life lacks direction. They have the talents but no power to control themselves as though they are just entertainers. Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib advises:"One who often thinks and reflects develops his foresight and vision."
“If thou seekest hidden treasures, thou shall find the knowledge of God”-Bible, Proverbs
“Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave” - Muhammad
“True knowledge can only be attained by a human being.”- Krishna
“Search with sincerity and in the end you will find the truth.” -Buddha
AFTER A DEEP THOUGHT AND A DEEP BREATH, I REALIZE THAT EVERYTHING IN LIFE GOES IN CYCLES. LORD HAVE MERCY ON US ALL.
Shalom!!!
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