The Center for Spirituality and Sustainability recently hosted an interfaith exploration of the universality of the Golden Rule. This special event hosted in the Fuller Dome is part of the Center's continuing effort to find common ground among the world's faith traditions. Some version of the Golden Rule can be found in all the major faith traditions across cultures, geography and time. This makes the Golden Rule an excellent starting place to explore and promote unity among the planet's differing faith traditions. Here are a few examples of the Golden Rule as it appears in eight different faith traditions:
Christianity - All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye so to them; for this is the law and the prophets. - Matthew 7:1
Confucianism - Do not do to others what you would not like yourself. Then there will be no resentment against you, either in the family or in the state. - Analects 12:2
Buddhism - Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful. - Udana-Varga 5,1
Hinduism - This is the sum of duty; do naught onto others what you would not have them do unto you. - Mahabharata 5,1517
Islam - No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself. - Sunnah
Judaism - What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellowman. This is the entire Law; all the rest is commentary. - Talmud, Shabbat 3id
Taoism - Regard your neighbor’s gain as your gain, and your neighbor’s loss as your own loss. - Tai Shang Kan Yin P’ien
Zoroastrianism - That nature alone is good which refrains from doing another whatsoever is not good for itself. - Dadisten-I-dinik, 94,5
The panel for the Center's discussion of the Golden Rule consisted of:
Baha'i: Dr. Christopher Gourdine, Assistant, Management, Lindenwood University-Belleville
Buddist: Ven. Haewon Sunim, Abbot/Spiritual Director, Boundless Buddha, Zen Society, St. Louis
Christian: The Rev. Dr. Deborah Krause, Academic Dean, Professor of New Testament, Eden Seminary, St. Louis
Humanist: Dr. James Croft, Outreach Director, Ethical Society of St. Louis
Muslim: Mrs. Maysa Albarcha, Board Member, Islamic Foundation, St. Louis