Golden Rule

The translations are arranged in a meaningful pattern on the
bear. They intersect but don’t interfere - each translation is
readable! That is also part of the “Golden Rule” – not to be afraid
of contact but at the same time to leave the other person enough
room for self-fulfilment and not to be in his or her way.

You can find the “Golden Rule“ in the Sacred Texts of all world
religions. (Please read the original quotations at the end of these
explanations concerning this rule.)
The “Golden Rule” can also be seen as totally separate from any
religious ties – as a logical consequence of the needs every
human being has.
If I want to be respected,
if I want people to be friendly to me, and
if I need help every now and again –
how can these expectations be fulfilled if I don’t expect
exactly the same of myself?
But reality is often very different!
Why is this very simple rule neglected so often?
The answers are so manifold that they cannot be given here.

We have to start with ourselves. We must think about the Golden Rule and practice it in our daily lives!

Take friendliness for example: Try to treat EVERYONE
in a friendly manner. The friendlier you are to every person you
meet in your daily life,
the more this friendliness comes back like a boomerang.
The logic of the old saying “You get as much as you give”
can be experienced on a daily basis when it comes
to friendly interaction with other people.

• considerate behaviour in traffic
• listening and giving the other person a chance to speak
• not treating people who are strangers differently because of
the way they look and behave

We have to start with the upbringing and education of the next
generation. That’s where we should lay the foundation for a new
generation that internalises this thought; sees it as
self-evident!

The “Golden Rule” sounds so banal that hardly anybody honestly
considers how far-reaching this simple principle of interaction is.
I’m pointing this out so fervently because I’m convinced that
there is a lot of unused potential for all of us to include this way
of thinking into our daily lives together.
In order to educate the next generation
it is important that we start with our own story.
Because there is more to it than we’ve told our children -
which rules and norms we have passed on them –
the way we live as a example for them is much more important!

The potential to realize a form of education
that is described above is often not used to its full extent
in educational institutions, i.e. in the kindergarten or in schools.
The “UNITED BUDDY BEARS” are very suitable for discussions
with children about their behaviour, not only towards people from
all over the world, but with those in their own communities.
What I’m aiming at is that
whenever children see a Buddy Bear
(as a sculpture, a self-painted picture, on a poster or a photo)
they will subconsciously take it as a reminder to practice
a way of living according to the “Golden Rule.”

Both children and adults can take an example from
international superstar Jackie Chan.
Jackie, who demonstrates this kind of behaviour in his daily life,
was instrumental in bringing the United Buddy Bears to
Hong Kong, their first stop on their world tour in Asia.
Children can get informed about his activities
at the Kid’s Corner of his website – www.jackiechan.com.

THANK YOU
for having read such a long text on the Internet.
(My children keep on telling me nobody would read long texts on the Internet –
please tell me your opinion concerning this topic.)

This is the sum of duty: do nothing to others which would cause you pain if
done to you.

A state that is not pleasant or delightful to me must be so for him also; and
a state which is not pleasant or delightful for me, how could I inflict that on
another?

None of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself.

Native Spirituality
We are as much alive as we keep the earth alive.
Chief Dan George

Baha'i Faith
Lay not on any soul a load that you would not wish to be laid upon you,
and desire not for anyone the things you would not desire for yourself.
Baha'u'llah, Gleanings

Buddhism
Treat not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.
The Buddha, Udana-Varga 5.1

Christianity
In everything, do to others as you would have them do to you;
for this is the law and the prophets.
Jesus, Matthew 7:12

Confucianism
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.
Confucius, Analects 15.23

Hinduism
This is the sum of duty: do not do to others what would cause pain if
done to you. Mahabharata 5:1517

Islam
Not one of you truly believes until you wish for others
what you wish for yourself.
The Prophet Muhammad, 13th of the 40 Hadiths of Nawawi

Jainism
One should treat all creatures in the world as one would like to be treated.
Mahavira, Sutrakritanga

Judaism
What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour. This is the whole
Torah; all the rest is commentary. Go and learn it.
Hillel, Talmud, Shabbath 31a

Sikhism
I am a stranger to no one; and no one is a stranger to me.
Indeed, I am a friend to all.
Guru Granth Sahib, pg. 1299

Taoism
Regard your neighbour's gain as your own gain and your neighbour's loss
as your own loss.
Lao Tzu, T'ai Shang Kan Ying P'ien, 213-218

Unitarianism
We affirm and promote respect for the interdependent web of all existence
of which we are a part.
Unitarian principle

Zoroastrianism
Do not do unto others whatever is injurious to yourself.
Shayast-na-Shayast 13.29

The GOLDEN RULE