Did you know the Golden Rule is a basic principle in every religion in the world?

Christianitys Golden Rule says, Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you: Do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. (King James Bible, Matt. 7:12) The older Judaic teaching says, What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellowman. This is the entire Law; all the rest is commentary. (Talmud, Shabbat 3id) Both of these religions stress the importance of this basic principle.

Buddhism states, Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful. (Udana-Varga, 5, 1) The Buddhist explanation about not hurting is easy to understand. Hinduism says, When a man sees that the God in himself is the same God in all that is, he hurts himself by hurting others: then he goes to the Highest Path. (Bhagavad Gita,13.28) This Hindu teaching expands on the no hurt principle explaining that right choice brings us to the highest spiritual way.

In Sikhism, the Golden Rule states in a positive way, I am a stranger to no one; and no one is a stranger to me. Indeed, I am a friend to all. (Guru Granth Sahib, pg. 1299) Realizing we can choose to be a friend to all encourages us to act friendlier towards others. Taoism suggests we also use empathy, Regard your neighbors gain as your gain, and your neighbors loss as your own loss. (Tai Shang Kan, 213-218)

Confucianism applies the Golden Rule to social action, One word which sums up the basis of all good conduct is loving kindness. 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 15:23) Confucius refers to the basis for all rules and laws as lovingkindness.

Islam teaches the Golden Rule is also a spiritual value, No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself. (Sunnah) To follow the Golden Rule is to follow the deepest spiritual teaching of each faith. Jesus taught this same principle when He talked about the two great commandants to love God with all your heart and soul and your neighbor as yourself.

Expanding the Golden Rule to all of life, Jainism explains, One should treat all creatures in the world as one would like to be treated. (Mahavira, Sutrakritanga) We are only one of a diversity of species on earth who depend on each other for our survival and therefore we should be kind to all of life. Cayuse Chief Young expresses the same sentiment as a Native American, The Great Spirit, in placing men on earth, desired them to take good care of the ground and to do each other no harm.

Because the Golden Rule is found in every religion, we can see that it is a universal principle. Dr. Lawrence Le Shan explains, Do unto othersis not an abstract moral principle, it is a necessary human guideline for our own sakes, our own being. (Alternate Realities)

This universal principle called the Golden Rule is not an abstract thought, it gives us all a powerful guideline to help us live a deeply spiritual life, to express lovingkindness on a daily basis, and to do our part in bringing people together to heal the world.

The Rev. Arlyn McDonald is the senior minister at the Spiritual Awareness Center in Montrose.

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The Golden Rule is universal - Montrose Daily Press