ethics

The Golden Rule

The ethical principle identified by the Declaration Toward a Global Ethic ‘What you do not wish done to yourself, do not do to others!’is often called ‘the Golden Rule’ and is to be found in the teaching of many religions.

Baha'i: Blessed is he who prefereth his brother before himself. (Tablets of Bah'a'ullah, 71)

Buddhism: A state which is not pleasant or enjoyable for me will not be so for another; and how can I impose on another a state which is not enjoyable to me? (Samyutta Nikaya, V). See also Message from the Dalai Lama

Confucianism: Do not do to others what you do not want them to do to you (Analects 15,23)

Christianity: All things whatsoever ye would that others should do to you, do ye even so to them (Matthew 7,12)

Hinduism:This is the sum of duty; do naught unto others which would cause you pain if done to you (Mahbharata XIII, 114)

Islam: No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself (An-Nawawi, 40 Hadith,13)

Jainism: A person should treat all creatures as he himself would be treated (Sutrakritanga 1.11.33)

Judaism: You shall love your neighbour as yourself (Leviticus 19,18)

Native American: Respect for life is the foundation (The Great Law of Peace)

Sikhism: Do not create enmity with anyone as God is within everyone (Guru Arjan Devji 258, Guru Granth Sahib)

Zoroastrianism: That nature only is good when it shall not do unto another whatever is not good for its own self (Dadistan-i-Dinik, 94,5)

Click link for an example of a Golden Rule workshop created by Scarboro Missions

Contents /Introduction / The Golden Rule / Declaration Towards a Global Ethic / New Agenda for Interfaith Work / Developments since 1993 / Statements and Conferences Effects / Practical Results / Dangers / Shared Values in Plural Society / Values Education / Inspiration / Weblinks

 

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© International interfaith organisations network 2003