What is Truth? Interfaith dialogue

S

sky dancer

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Is there only one Truth?

Here is a poem written by a Scottish Christian Minister who traveled to Tibet and studied with Buddhist teachers.

"He who lives in Truth is not afraid to proclaim the Truth. He is strong, he is full of optimism. He looks for the bright side in all things. In the darkest corners he makes the sun shine. He walks through life with a smile. He sings the song of joy. His faith is in the Absolute who lives in and through him.

He carries a message of hope and courage and loves all life. He gives help where and when it is needed. He helps others to help themselves. He is free from fear and worry, always forgiving, always tolerant. He is devoid of hate, envy and malice.

He radiates love to the entire world and minds his own business and expects others to do the same. He goes joyfully through life, things that drive others to despair and misery leave him in a calm undisturbed state of mind. His peace comes from within.

He is like the ocean which receives all streams and rivers yet the ocean's mighty calm is unmoved. Those who contact him feel his presence and receive encouragement.

He attracts love and friends; not that he desires them, because he does not depend on people and things, but these things come to him as his right. He acknowledges the Law and the Law responds.

He is at home with all classes of people, the rich and the poor are all alike to him. He does not favor one more than the other; he is not interested in what they have. All are equally at home with him. He is welcome in all homes, and children cling to his hands and coat.

He loves life and life responds. Sinner and saint are the same to him; he sees the good in the sinner and does not look for weakness in the saint. He knows that he himself is not without sin and so he never casts the stone. The outcast recognizes him as a brother. The woman who has passed through the furnace of life trusts him. He gives of his love and wisdom and points the way to happiness. He heals the heart and relieves the troubled mind. God never holds His love from His most disobedient child; neither does he hold that love of God from his brother or sister. He neither pities nor condemns because he knows all are conquerors if they will to conquer.

He finds joy in his work; he never hurries nor can he be rushed. He knows that time does not control him, he is attuned to the eternal. He has absolute faith in the absolute power of which he has become aware. He knows he is one with all life, and behind him is the power of the universe. He believes in the all good. Divine justice is his key to all situations; he is simple, loving and kind.

He recognizes that to attain wisdom one must be humble, and when wisdom is mastered one must be humbler still. He is the future's promise of a better world to come."

~Murdo MacDonald-Bayne~


Can we find common ground, regardless of whether we are Christian, Jew, Muslim, Atheist, Hindu, Jain, or Buddhist?
 
Gosh, that sounds just like me.
Particularly the part about the children clinging to my hands and coat.

Of course, I'm awash in children, lol.
 
If that poem sounds just like you, then I'm happy for you, Allie Baba.
 
It's the way most Christians and I believe Buddhists try to be.
Of course it's the ideal, and not possible to maintain perfectly for any living human.
 
Truth just is. What do you make of that statement? Is it possible to live in truth 24/7?

I think it's possible. I have met human beings who are examples worthy of emulating--who do live in the truth.
 
Can we find common ground, regardless of whether we are Christian, Jew, Muslim, Atheist, Hindu, Jain, or Buddhist?

I think it is safe to suggest that regardless of nationality, religion or culture, we all more or less love our children.

At least one of the reasons I created Rosetta is because of that. Comeing at the problem of our many differences, it occured to me that that was one thing I could probably count on such that I would find an audience which might be willing to work together even if my fellow Rosettaians lived in nations that hate America. Turned out I was right, too.

What's more, while there are significant differences in cultures and people, much of what we must teach our children are the same lessons, too.

So, despite all our cultural differences, and despite all the different value systems we seem to have, human nature is the same everywhere on earth, and kids need to learn many of the same basic lessons about what it means to be human regardless of their culture or language or religion, or whathaveyou.

Two examples of lessons every culture seeks to impart into its children?

When to be brave, and when to run away. These lessons are found in every cultures children's tales because those are lessons which we ALL MUST teach our children.

I'm sure many of you can think of other such basic lessons every culture seeks to impart to the next generation, too.
 
Is there even a vantage point to try to see the truth from ?

The poem in the OP presents a vantage point from which to see truth. The poem is He who lives in Truth.

It describes qualities of one who lives in truth. This is the vantage point of someone living in truth.
 
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The poem in the OP presents a vantage point from which to see truth. The poem is He who lives in Truth.

It describes qualities of one who lives in truth. This is the vantage point of someone living in truth.

mabey to you it does....

Da' T.R.U.T.H. - Who Am I? + LYRICS

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wl9DzrKdP6U]YouTube - Da' T.R.U.T.H. - Who Am I? + LYRICS (Music Video)[/ame]
 

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