booklet walk for values v03

Walk  for  Values  

Building  a  Community  of  Character  one  step  at  a  time!  

TABLE OF CONTENTS

HUMAN VALUES .... 3  WHY DO WE NEED VALUES? .............. 5  HINDUISM............ 7  ZOROASTRIANISM. 9  JUDAISM............ 11  CHRISTIANITY .... 13  ISLAM................ 15  

HUMAN VALUES

The values a man must cherish as his life-breath are: Truth, Righteousness, Peace, Love and Non violence.

Of these five vital principles, Love is the foremost.

It is Love that flows as the under-current for the other four

values. How does it flow this way? When Love is associated with our thoughts, it manifests itself as Truth. When Love is associated with feelings, it produces Peace. When Love animates actions, it results in Right Action.

When Love is combined with understanding it becomes Non-

violence. Therefore whenever you feel angry, think of love, develop thoughts of love in your heart. You will have peace.

WHY DO WE NEED VALUES? Due to the rapid pace of the world that we live in and the absence of moral and spiritual values in our social and economic systems, our nation and future generations face a challenging and gloomy future.

The 5 basic Human Values must be instilled into our nation, schools and children. This value system is practiced by all cultures throughout the world and is the foundation that each of the 5 major religions is based upon.

HINDUISM

Among the wealthy, compassionate men claim the richest wealth, For material wealth is possessed by even contemptible men. Find and follow the good path and be ruled by compassion.

For if the various ways are examined, compassion will prove the means to liberation.

Tirukkural 25: 241-242

To you, I declare this holy mystery, there is nothing nobler than humanity

Mahabharat (XII, 300-20)

Who sees me in all things, and all things in me, he is never far from me, and I am never far from him. Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita

ZOROASTRIANISM

Zarathushtra gave 3 commandments to his followers to enable them lead perfect lives and work for their own evolution. These are good thoughts, good word and good deeds. Good thoughts are very important in the spiritual journey of man, because all else comes out of out of thoughts only. Without good thoughts, there cannot be progress on the spiritual path. Without good thoughts one cannot subject oneself to Divine will and become

qualified to receive boons from Vohu Mano. Thinking good alone is not sufficient. But one must have the courage to speak Truth all the time. One must be truthful to oneself and to others. There is no place for hypocrisy or duplicity in the life of a true Zoroastrian. Performance of good deeds is equally important. The supreme Power of God, in the aspect of KshatraVairya comes to Him who engages himself in good actions. Good actions include Sraosha or service.

JUDAISM TRUTH You shall not deal falsely nor lie one to another (Levxix,II) Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour (Ex.xx,13)

Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking guile (Ps. Xxxiv,14) "It is more blessed to give than to receive .(Acts 20:35)

RIGHT CONDUCT Who shall dwell upon thy holy mountain? He that walks uprightly and works righteousness and speaks truth in his heart, that has no slander upon his tongue, nor does evil to his fellow (Ps.xv,I ff).

LOVE Since there is will never cease to be some in need on the earth, I therefore command you, “open your hand to the poor and needy neighbour in your land” (Deuteronomy b15:11)

CHRISTIANITY

NON VIOLENCE You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbour’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.

If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? (Matthew 5:43-47 )

RIGHT CONDUCT Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets. (Matthew 7:12)

ISLAM

NON VIOLENCE Do unto all men as you would wish to have done unto you, and to reject for others what you would reject for yourself. Prophet Muhammad "Allah is with those who restrain themselves." [16: 128 RIGHT CONDUCT And thus preach joy to My servants. Those who listen to the word and follow the best of it. Those are the ones whom Allah

has guided and they are the wise people." (39:17-18) LOVE No man is a true believer unless he desires for his brothers ,what he desires for himself. God will not be affectionate to that who is not affectionate to God's creatures. Assist any oppressed whether he is a Muslim or a Non Muslim Holy Qu'ran

If there is righteousness in the heart There will be beauty in character; If there is beauty in character There will be harmony in the home. When there is harmony in the home There will be order in the nation. When there is order in the nation, There will be peace in the world. (Sathya Sai Baba)