Monday, December 17, 2012

Principles of the Golden Rule

By Jana Scott and Brian Farr, Rotary Peace Fellows

One of greatest powers to bring people together is that which is shared in common. 

In every faith tradition and in the writings of great thinkers, we find the concept of the Golden Rule or some form of it.  Here are a few examples:

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.     - Confucianism

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.     - Christianity

What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor.     - Judaism

Not one of you truly believes until you wish for others what you wish for yourself.     - Islam

Regard your neighbour’s gain as your own gain, and your neighbour’s loss as your own loss.     - Taoism
The Golden Rule is part of District 5420’s Peace Project that will be presented at Rotary International’s Peace Forum in Hawaii.  Interact clubs are encouraged to do Golden Rule projects, and Rotary Youth Peace Ambassadors have been selected to help encourage youth projects in their schools and communities and to help with the presentation in Hawaii in late January.

Though seemingly simple, the Golden Rule has profound effect when lived.  Relationships are changed, communities are better, lives are enriched, societies are stronger.

Living the Golden Rule requires deliberate action.  It is a choice which requires effort, often refined throughout a lifetime.  This principle of peace, which comes naturally to Rotarians, is one element of contributing to more peaceable communities, and it lifts all involved.

This holiday season and new year, find ways to implement it more fully in your own life and encourage others.  We’ll include ideas for Interact projects in future newsletters.

 

No comments:

Post a Comment