Wisdom from the Major World Relgions
On the theme of: PEACE
Baha’i
Peace is an outcome of love. Until love is attained, peace cannot be.
Abdu'l-Baha
Buddhism
Now under the loving kindness and care of the Buddha, each believer of religion in the world transcends the differences of religion, race and nationality, discards small differences and unites in oneness to discuss sincerely how to annihilate strife from the earth, how to reconstruct a world without arms, and how to build welfare and peace of mankind, so that never-ending light and happiness can be obtained for the world of the future.May the Lord Buddha give His loving kindness and blessing to us for the realization of our prayers.
from Buddhist Prayers in *Religion for Peace*, 1973, WCRP
Christianity
In the tender compassion of our God, the dawn from heaven will break upon us, to shine on those who live in darkness, under the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
from "Song of Zechariah" in Luke 1: 78-79, the Bible
Confucianism
To put the world right in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must first cultivate our personal life; we must first set our hearts right.
Confucious
Hinduism
May the winds, the oceans, the herbs, the nights and days, the mother earth, the father heaven, all vegetation, the sun, be all sweet to us. Let us follow the path of goodness for all times, like the sun and the moon moving eternally in the sky. Let us be charitable to one another. Let us not kill or be violent with one another. Let us know and appreciate the points of view of others. And let us unite. May the God who is friendly, benevolent, all-encompassing, measurer of everything, the sovereign, the lord of speech, may He shower His blessings on us. . .Oh Lord, remove my indiscretion and arrogance; control my mind. Put an end to the snare of endless desires. Broaden the sphere of compassion and help me to cross the ocean of existence.excerpted from Hindu Prayers in *Religion for Peace*, 1973, WCRP
Islam
Oh God, You are Peace. From You comes Peace, To You Returns Peace. Revive us with a salutation of Peace, and lead us to your abode of Peace.
a saying from The Prophet, used in daily prayer by Muslims
Jainism
Lead me from Death to Life, from Falsehood to Truth. Lead me from Despair to Hope, From Fear to Trust. Lead me from Hate to Love, from War to Peace. Let Peace fill our Heart, our World, Our Universe.
SATISH KUMAR
Judaism
In that hour when the Egyptians died in the Red Sea, the ministers wished to sing the song of praise before the Holy One, but he rebuked them saying: "My handiwork is drowning in the sea; would you utter a song before me in honor of that?"
from the SANHEDRIN
Native African
“Peace is costly but it is worth the expense”
African Proverb
Native American
It is no longer good enough to cry peace, we must act peace, live peace and live in peace.
Shenandoah
New Thought
To be at one with God is to be at peace ... peace is to be found only within, and unless one finds it there he will never find it at all. Peace lies not in the external world. It lies within one's own soul.
Ralph Waldo Trine
Sikhism
May the kingdom of justice prevail! May the believers be united in love! May the hearts of the believers be humble, high their wisdom, and may they be guided in their wisdom by the Lord.
O Khalsa, say "Wahiguru, Glory be to God!" . . . Entrust unto the Lord what thou wishest to be accomplished. The Lord will bring all matters to fulfilment: Know this as truth evidenced by Himself.
excerpted from Sikh Prayers in *Religion for Peace*, 1973, WCRP
Taoism
I have three precious things which I hold fast and prize. The first is gentleness; the second is frugality; the third is humility, which keeps me from putting myself before others.
Be gentle, and you can be bold; be frugal, and you can be liberal; avoid putting yourself before others, and you can become a leader of men.
Gentleness brings victory to him who attacks, and safety to him who defends.
Those whom Heaven would save, it fences round with gentleness. The greatest conquerors are those who overcome their enemies without strife.
LAO TSE
Zoroastrianism
We pray to God to eradicate all the
misery in the world:
that understanding triumph
over ignorance,
that generosity triumph over indifference,
that trust triumph over contempt, and
that truth triumph over falsehood.
Zoroastrian Peace Prayer