This Interfaith Devotional program focuses on the universality of the Golden Rule of how to treat our fellow human beings. These readings have been selected from various religious traditions. Please come and join us on Sundays at 9:30 am at the Beaverton Baha’i Center.
Opening Prayer
Bring them together again, O Lord, by the Power of Thy Covenant, and gather their dispersion by the Might of Thy Promise, and unite their hearts by the dominion of Thy Love! Cause them to love one another so as to sacrifice their spirits, expend their money and give up their desires for each other’s sake!
O Lord, make to descend upon them quietness and tranquility! Shower upon them the clouds of Thy Mercy in full abundance, and make them to characterize themselves with the characteristics of the spiritual!
O Lord, hold us firm in Thy noble command, and bestow upon us Thy Gifts through Thy bounty, grace and beneficence!
Verily, Thou art the Generous, the Merciful, and the Benevolent.
Bahá’í Faith,`Abdu’l-Bahá
First Reading
By love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Christianity, Galatians 5:13-14
A man should wander the earth treating all creatures as he himself would be treated.
Jainism
One should not behave towards others in a way which is disagreeable to oneself. This is the essence of morality. All other activities are due to selfish desire.
Hinduism, Mahabharata
Choose thou for thy neighbor that which thou choosest for thyself.
Bahá’í Faith, Bahá’u’lláh
Music
Second Reading
Not one of you is a believer until he desire for his brother that which he desires for himself.
Islam, Hadith
Harm not others in ways you yourself would find hurtful.
Buddhism, Sutta Nipata 7805
Blessed is he who preferreth his brother before himself.
Bahá’í Faith, Bahá’u’lláh
Gentle character and compassion it is which allows the rope of life to remain unbroken in one’s hand.
Nigerian proverb
As a mother with her own life guards the life of her child, let all-embracing thoughts for all that live be thine.
Buddhism, Metta Sutta
The bhikkhu who abides in Loving-kindness, And who is pleased with the Buddha’s teaching, Shall attain to the Peaceful State, The happy stilling of conditioned things.
Buddhism, Dhammapada
What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor; that is the entire Law. All the rest is commentary. Go and learn.
Judaism, Talmud Shabbat 31a
Music
Third Reading
God enjoins justice, kindness and charity… He admonishes you so that you may take heed.
Islam , Qur’an 16:90
Treat people in such a way and live amongst them in such a manner that when you die they will weep, and alive, they crave your company.
Islam, Shiite Saying 9
Have benevolence toward all living beings, joy at the sight of the virtuous, compassion and sympathy for the afflicted, and tolerance toward the ill-behaved.
Jainism
Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Chritianity, Matthew 22:36-40
O children of men! Know ye not why We created you all from the same dust? That no one should exalt himself over the other. Ponder at all times in your hearts how ye were created. Since We have created you all from one same substance it is incumbent on you to be even as one soul, to walk with the same feet, eat with the same mouth and dwell in the same land, that from your inmost being, by your deeds and actions, the signs of oneness and the essence of detachment may be made manifest. Such is My counsel to you, O concourse of light! Heed ye this counsel that ye may obtain the fruit of holiness from the tree of wondrous glory.
Bahá’í Faith, Bahá’u’lláh
Music
Open Prayers
Music
Fourth Reading
Lay not on any soul a load which ye would not wish to be laid upon you, and desire not for anyone the things ye would not desire for yourselves. This is my best counsel unto you, did ye but observe it.
Bahá’í Faith, Bahá’u’lláh
Closing Prayer
O God our Lord!
Protect us through Thy grace from whatsoever may be repugnant unto Thee and vouchsafe unto us that which well beseemeth Thee. Give us more out of Thy bounty and bless us. Pardon us for the things we have done and wash away our sins and forgive us with Thy gracious forgiveness. Verily Thou art the Most Exalted, the Self-Subsisting.
Bahá’í Faith, Bahá’u’lláh
- Cover – Golden Rule
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- Program – Golden Rule
- Program (rtf) – Golden Rule
- Readings – Golden Rule
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