Wisdom from the Faith Traditions for 2020

In the beginning of each year, we like to draw on the great faith traditions for wisdom on living the good life.  The Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding again offers us its list of resolutions from diverse religions, beliefs and traditions.

SHARED VISIONS To Live the Golden Rule In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets. Christianity, Matthew 7:12 To Embrace Religious Differences Consort with the followers of all religions in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship. The Bahá’í Faith, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, Bishárát To Act Virtuously Cultivate virtue in yourself, And it will be true. Taoism, Tao Te Ching chapter 54 To Respect the Earth  Ether, air, fire, water, earth, planets, all creatures, directions, trees and plants, rivers and seas, they are all organs of God’s body. Remembering this a devotee respects all species. Hinduism, Srimad Bhagavatam (2.2.41) To Treat the Stranger with Kindness And a stranger shalt thou not wrong, neither shalt thou oppress him; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. Judaism, Exodus 22:20 To Challenge Fake News I replied thus: I am Zoroaster, the staunch enemy of liars and falsehood. I shall fight against liars as long as I have strength and shall uphold truth and righteous people whole heartedly. Zoroastrianism, Yasna 43 (Verse 8) To Advocate for Justice O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives. Whether one is rich or poor, Allah is more worthy of both. So follow not [personal] inclination, lest you not be just. Islam, Sahih International 4:135 To Speak with Honesty and Compassion Speak only that which will bring you honor. Sikhism, Guru Nanak, Sri Guru Granth Sahib To Practice Nonviolence  One is not called noble who harms living beings. By not harming living beings one is called noble. Buddhism, Dhammapada (Verse 270) To Make Peace Possible Education breeds confidence. Confidence breeds hope. Hope breeds peace. Confucianism, Confucius