Golden Rule - Compassion - Odyssey Networks


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"The Charter will proclaim a principle embraced by every faith, and by every moral code. It is often referred to as The Golden Rule."

The Golden Rule, which states that we should treat others the way we want to be treated ourselves, is something that all faiths have in common.

It connects us all, no matter what our differences in other areas might be.

Prompted by the vision of scholar and author Karen Armstrong, people from around the world have made The Golden Rule the foundation of a document on which all faiths can agree - The Charter for Compassion.

In fact, The Golden Rule has been an important element of moral thought for millennia.

Written on papyrus during the Late Period of Egypt (1080 - 332 BCE) were these words: "That which you hate to be done to you, do not do to another."

And, Plato wrote in Greece in 4 BCE, "May I do to others as I would that they should do unto me."

Although the words differ slightly, all major faith groups adhere to this principle including:

Judaism
"What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor. This is the whole Torah; all the rest is commentary."
Hillel, Talmud, Shabbat 31a

"Love thy neighbor as yourself" (Hebrew: "ואהבת לרעיך כמוך")
Leviticus 19:18.

Islam
"Not one of you truly believes until you wish for others what you wish for yourself."
The Prophet Muhammad, Hadith

"Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you."
The Prophet Muhammad, The Farewell Sermon

Buddhism
"Treat not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful."
The Buddha Udana-Varga, 5.18

Christianity
"In everything, do to others as you would have them do to you."
Matthew: 7:12

Confucianism
"One word which sums up the basis of all good conduct…loving kindness. Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself."
Confucius Analects 15.23

Hinduism
This is the sum of duty: do not do to others what would cause pain if done to you.
Mahabharata 5:1517



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