UNIVERSAL WISDOM : No: 4 in the series

PLEASE NOTE:  Next Meeting Wolverhampton Sat 11th Dec

UNIVERSAL WISDOM  :- November 2010

This is another ( the fourth) in a  series of reflections  from  different Faith Traditions. These reflections and Traditions are a source of Universal Wisdom, a treasure chest for all humanity. They show both  the richness in diversity and the Unity in the Spirit, which the human family shares and can give us  insight into  the meaning and the  message of  God.

Most Traditions stress the reality of Love and the meaning of Service and their prime importance if we are to live fully and inter-relate with ourselves, others and our environment.

The Love and Service these reflections extol  are virtues , values and ways of being  that are selfless and not egocentric. They are virtues that are offered  as useful and more complete ways of living and thus adding to the common good

 LOVE & SERVICE (Seva) 

To love is to know Me, My innermost nature,

The truth that I am

( Hindu – Bhagavad Gita 18.55)

For your Heavenly Father is Love

For your Heavenly Mother is Love

For the Son of Man is Love

( Christianity –The Gospel of Peace of Jesus Christ)

The great compassionate heart

Is the essence of Buddhahood

( Buddhism Gandavyuha Sutra )

My Mercy embraces all things

( Islam – Holy Qur’an 7:156)

Jesus said ‘If you have money, do not lend it at interest, but give to one from whom you will not get it back’

( The Gospel of Thomas )

They feed with food the needy wretch,

The orphan, and the prisoner,

For love of Him, saying ‘ We wish for no reward nor thanks from you ‘

( Islam – The Holy Qur’an  76 : 8-9)

Charity- to be moved at the sight of

The thirsty, the hungry and the miserable

And to offer relief to them out of pity –

Is the spring of virtue

( Jainism – Kundakunda)

The whole worth of a benevolent deed

Lies in the love that inspires it

( Judaism – Sukkah 49b)

Holding to the letter of the Law,

May be appropriate to keep a country in order.

But only acting from your true being,

Is always appropriate.

( Taoism – Tao Te Ching 57)

When you give alms,

Do not let your left hand know

What your right hand is doing

Christianity – Matthew 6:3 )