Living in Peace

Opening Reflections

Live happily, without hating even those

who hate you. 

Be free from hatred among those who hate. 

(Buddhism, Siddhartha, v197)

Blessed are the peacemakers, 

for they shall be called Sons of God. (

(Bible, Matthew 5:9)

As river flow in the ocean

but cannot make the ocean overflow, so

flow the streams of the sense-world

into the sea of peace that is the sage.

(Hinduism, Bhagavid Gita 2:70)

Scripture Reading

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose

under heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant,

and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down,

and a time to build up; your

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn,

and a time to dance...

A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence,

and a time to speak;

A time to love,  and a time to hate; a time of war,

and a time of peace. (Bible, Ecclesiastes 3:1-4, 7-8)

Meditation


Scripture Reading

“Let there be no compulsion in religion. 

Truth has been made clear from error. 

Whoever rejects false worship and believes in Allah [God] 

has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that never breaks. 

And Allah [God] hears and knows all things.”  

(Islam, Qu'ran 2:256)

Meditation


Sermon

It is hard to be born as a human being and hard to live

the life of one. It is even harder to hear of the path;

and harder still to awake, to rise and to follow.

Yet the teaching of the Buddha is simple:

'Cease to do evil, learn to do good.

And purify your mind.'

Whoever revers the awakened one and the noble path,

will live in measureless serenity and peace.'

(Siddhartha- The Enlightened One, v182, v183)

Memory Verse

Blessed are we who can laugh at ourselves;

for we shall never cease to be amused. (Anonymous)

Closing Prayer

I add my breath to your breath

that our days be long on the earth,

that the days of our people may be long,

that we shall be as one person,

that we may finish our road together.

(Pueblo Native American Prayer)

On Kindness

Opening Reflections

A friend loves at all times. (Jewish Proverbs 17:17)

Greater love has no one than this, that

someone lay down his life for his friends. (Christian, John 15:13)

God loveth those who are kind. (Islam, Qu'ran 5:13)

What use is a melody in an unmusical song?

What use are eyes which express no kindness?

Other than a facial appliance, what do eyes

with no quality of kindness really do?

A kindly look is the ornament of the eyes.

Without kindness the eyes are two 

unsightly sores.- (Hindu, Tirukkural 58: 573-575)

Scripture Reading

May all beings have happiness and the causes of happiness;

this is immeasurable loving kindness;

May all beings be liberated from suffering and the causes of suffering;

this is immeasurable compassion;

May all beings be free of suffering and always stay happy;

this is immeasurable joy;

May all beings be free of grasping and aversion towards others,

and develop faith in the equality of all beings;

this is immeasurable equanimity.

- Tantric Buddhism

Moment of Reflection

Scripture Reading

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast;

it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on

its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;

it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices 

with the truth. Love bears all things,

believes all things, hopes all things,

endures all things. (Christian, 1Corinthians 13 4:7)

Moment of Reflection


Sermon

So, ask Allah, your Lord; to give you a sound body and an enlightened heart so you may be able to fast and recite his book, for only he is unhappy who is devoid of Allah’s forgiveness during this great month. Remember the hunger and thirst of the day of Qiyamah (Judgement) with your hunger and thirst; give alms to the needy and poor, honor your old, show kindness to the young ones, maintain relations with your blood relations; guard your tongues, close your eyes to that which is not permissible for your sight, close your ears to that which is forbidden to hear, show compassion to the orphans of people so compassion may be shown to your orphans. Repent to Allah for your sins and raise your hands in dua during these times, for they are the best of times and Allah looks towards his creatures with kindness, replying to them during the hours and granting their needs if he is asked...
"O People! Indeed your souls are dependant on your deeds, free it with Istighfar (repentance) lighten its loads by long prostrations; and know that Allah swears by his might: That there is no punishment for the one who prays and prostrates and he shall have no fear of the fire on the day when man stands before the Lord of the worlds. 
(Islam, Sermon of the Prophet)


Memory Verse

Let no one ever come to you without leaving

better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness:

in your face, eyes, and your smile.

-Mother Teresa

Closing Prayer

Father-Mother of the Universe, in the beauty of Your

Presence we give thanks for family and friends and for

the clan of man. Nourish our bodies with these gifts of

the earth and our minds with the thoughts sparkling among us.

We will that our personal will be in 

atonement with the Divine as our Spirits bow in awe 

and wonder of the Great Unseen.

-Anabelle Woodard