Laws of God.

 

131. Laws of God: Baha’i Faith: “Each of the divine religions embodies two kinds of ordinances (laws). The first is those which concern spiritual susceptibilities, the development of moral principles and the quickening of the conscience of man. These are essential or fundamental, one and the same in all religions, changeless and eternal — reality not subject to transformation. The second kind of ordinances in the divine religions is those which relate to the material affairs of humankind. These are the material or accidental laws which are subject to change in each day of manifestation, according to exigencies of the time, For instance, in the day of Moses ten commandments in regard to murder were revealed by Him. These commandments were in accordance with the requirements of that day and time. Other laws embodying drastic punishments were enacted by Moses — an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. The penalty for theft was amputation of the hand. These laws and penalties were applicable to the degree of the Israelitish people of that period, who dwelt in the wilderness and desert under conditions where severity was necessary and justifiable. But in the time of Jesus Christ this kind of law was not expedient; therefore, Christ abrogated and superseded the commands of Moses.”

(Bahá’í Faith, Abdu’l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace)

 JUDAISM: Deuteronomy 19:21 “And thine eye shall not pity; but life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”  Christianity: Matthew 5:38 “Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:” 5:39 “But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.”

This is one of the reasons the various religions of the world appear to disagree. Different material laws were needed at different times so the material laws appear to differ from one religion to another.

BAHA’I FAITH: “O ye peoples of the world! Know assuredly that My commandments are the lamps of My loving providence among My servants, and the keys of My mercy for My creatures. Thus hath it been sent down from the heaven of the Will of your Lord, the Lord of Revelation. Were any man to taste the sweetness of the words which the lips of the All-Merciful have willed to utter, he would, though the treasures of the earth be in his possession, renounce them one and all, that he might vindicate the truth of even one of His commandments, shining above the Dayspring of His bountiful care and loving-kindness.”

(Bahá’í Faith, Baha’u’llah, The Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 19)

The first kind of laws or ordinances, Abdul-baha tells us, are concerned with: Baha’i Faith: “spiritual susceptibilities, the development of moral principles and the quickening of the conscience of man. These are essential or fundamental, one and the same in all religions, changeless and eternal — reality not subject to transformation.” Examples of some  of these laws we need to obtain are:  have faith, get knowledge, have certitude, be an example of justice, live by piety, obtain righteousness in thy life, be trustworthy to your fellow man, love God, be benevolent to one another, be an example of purity in this world, live by detachment from the world, and practice humility, meekness, patience and constancy in your life and show mercy to the poor, defend the oppressed, give to the needy and uplift the fallen. These are just a few of the numerous spiritual laws and ordinances that are found throughout the writings of God and are found in all the God fearing, God of loving, kindness, oriented religions of this world; and can easily be demonstrated by just searching through the writings of the various religions, of God, for the similar spiritual entreaties. I have searched through the bible and the Bahá’í Writings and the other God based religions to demonstrate this truth to the reader. Some of these laws are not quite mentioned by name in the bible but the spirit and fundamental teachings of these laws are inferred to be there and so the teachings are the same:

a. Have Faith:  Judaism: Sirach 25:12 “The fear of The Lord is the beginning of His love: and faith is the beginning of cleaving unto Him.” 1:27 “For the fear of The Lord is wisdom and instruction: and faith and meekness are His delight.” (Deuterocanonical Apocrypha,) Deuteronomy 32:19 “And when The LORD saw it, He abhorred them,” 32:20 “And He said, I will hide My face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith.” Habakkuk 2:4 “Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.”  Christianity: Mark 11:22 “And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.” Galatians 5:22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,” Romans 1:17 “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” 1 Timothy 1:5 “Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:”

BAHA’I FAITH: “Arise and, armed with the power of faith, shatter to pieces the gods of your vain imaginings,”

(Bahá’í Faith, Baha’u’llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah, p. 217)

 ISLAM: 82. “Those who have faith and work righteousness, they are Companions of the Garden, therein shall they abide (for ever).” 257. “Allah (God) is the Protector of those who have faith.”

(The Qur’an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surah   2)

 ZOROASTRIANISM: 3. “And I confess my belief in Thee, O Ahura Mazda (God)! and as a Mazdayasnian of the order of Zarathushtra, (demonstrating faith in Ahura Mazda) “and in accordance with this Faith.”

(Zoroaster, The Zend-Avesta, Avesta – Visperad)

 HINDUISM: “Good is the steadfastness whereby a man Masters his beats of heart, his very breath Of life, the action of his senses; fixed In never-shaken faith and piety:” “Worship Me well, with hearts of love and faith.”

(Hindu, Bhagavad Gita (Edwin Arnold tr) chapters 7 and 18)

 BUDDHISM: “Truly, the disciple who is possessed of faith and has penetrated the Teaching of the Master, he is filled with the thought: ‘May rather skin, sinews and bones wither away, may the flesh and blood of my body dry up: I shall not give up my efforts so long as I have not attained whatever is attainable by manly perseverance, energy and endeavor!”’

((The Eightfold Path), Buddha, the Word (The Eightfold Path))

 SABEANISM: “We offer up our commemoration, our petition, our prayer, Our submission, our tabuta and our faith In Thy presence.” “Blessed art Thou, my Lord.” “In the name ofThe Great Life (God)! Hear me, my Father, hear me! Draw me upward (O) Great One.” (Sabeanism, Ginza Rba- chapters 75 and 80)

 BABI RELIGION: “Man’s highest station, however, is attained through faith in God in every Dispensation and by acceptance of what hath been revealed by Him, and not through learning; inasmuch as in every nation there are learned men who are versed in divers sciences. Nor is it attainable through wealth; for it is similarly evident that among the various classes in every nation there are those possessed of riches. Likewise are other transitory things. True knowledge, therefore, is the knowledge of God.”

(The Bab, Selections from the Writings of the Bab, p. 88)

BAHA’I FAITH: “Anyone who possesses a good character, who has faith in God and is firm, whose actions are good, whose speech is good — that one is accepted at the threshold of God no matter what color he may be.”

(Bahá’í Faith, Abdu’l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 427)

Baha’i Faith: “Only have faith, patience and courage — this is but the beginning, but surely you will succeed, for God is with you!”

(Bahá’í Faith, Abdu’l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 101)

b. Strive after knowledge and insightful understanding into The Holy Word of our Creator:  Judaism: Numbers 24:16 “He hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High,” Hosea 6:6 “For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.” Proverbs 2:1 “My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;” 2:2 “So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;” 2:3 “Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;” 2:4 “If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;” 2:5 “Then shalt thou understand the fear of The LORD, and find the knowledge of God.”  Christianity: Colossians 1:10 “That ye might walk worthy of The Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;” 1 Timothy 2:3 “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;” 2:4 “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” 2 Peter 1:2 “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God,”

BAHA’I FAITH: “The beginning of all things is the knowledge of God, and the end of all things is strict observance of whatsoever hath been sent down from the empyrean of the Divine Will that pervadeth all that is in the heavens and all that is on the earth.”

(Bahá’í Faith, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah, p. 5)

 ISLAM: 35. “O ye who believe! do your duty to Allah (God), seek the means of approach unto Him, and strive with might and main in His cause: that ye may prosper.” 41. “Go ye forth, (whether equipped) lightly or heavily, and strive and struggle, with your goods and your persons, in the Cause of Allah. That is best for you, if ye (but) knew.” 14. “Know ye that this Revelation is sent down (replete) with the knowledge of Allah, and that there is no god but He!”

(The Qur’an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surahs 5, 9 and 11)

Islam: 162.” But those among them who are well-grounded in knowledge, and the believers, believe in what hath been revealed to thee; and (especially) those who establish regular prayer and practice regular charity and believe in Allah and in the Last Day: to them shall We soon give a great reward.” 52. “For We had certainly sent unto them a Book, based on knowledge, which We explained in detail, a guide and a mercy to all who believe.”

(The Qur’an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surahs 4 and 7)

 ZOROASTRIANISM: 33. “Grant us these boons which we beg of thee, O Powerful God. I in accordance with the words of revelation, namely, riches, strength, and victory, good conscience and bliss, good fame and a good soul; wisdom and the knowledge that gives happiness, the victorious strength given by Ahura (God).”

(Zoroaster, The Zend-Avesta, Khorda Avesta – Book of Common Prayer pt. 1)

 HINDUISM: 13. “The knowledge of the sacred law is prescribed for those who are not given to the acquisition of wealth and to the gratification of their desires; to those who seek the knowledge of the sacred law the supreme authority is the revelation.” “When the righteous strive and struggle, gods assist the true and brave!” “Have Me, then, in thy heart always! and fight! Thou too, when heart and mind are fixed on Me, Shalt surely come to Me!”

(Hindu, Bhagavad Gita (Edwin Arnold tr) chapters 2, 8 and Ramayana)

 BUDDHISM: 1. “Even if the faithful can recite only a few of the scriptures, if they act accordingly, having given up passion, hate, and folly, being possessed of true knowledge and serenity of mind, craving nothing in this world or the next, they are living the holy life.” 7. “One’s thought is calm; calm is one’s word and one’s action when one has obtained freedom by true knowledge.” (of Brahma, God)

(Buddhist, Dhammapada – Sayings of the Buddha 2 (tr. J. Richards))

 SABEANISM: “I strive with a pious and believing heart for the love of precious Truth (knowledge).” “Great First Word (Haiyi, God), which assured me sight in mine eyes, pour wisdom into my heart! Open the eyes of my understanding!” “in the presence of that which increased the strength, radiance and light of Knowledge.” (Sabeanism, Ginza Rba- chapters 23, 77 and 171)

 BABI RELIGION: “THOU hast asked concerning the fundamentals of religion and its ordinances: Know thou that first and foremost in religion is the knowledge of God.”

(The Bab, Selections from the Writings of the Bab, p. 117)

BAHA’I FAITH: “But that which God (glorious is His mention) hath desired for Himself is the hearts of His servants, which are treasures of praise and love of the Lord and stores of divine knowledge and wisdom.”

(Bahá’í Faith, Abdu’l-Baha, A Traveller’s Narrative, p. 63)

Baha’i Faith: “The Divine Messengers have been sent down, and their Books were revealed, for the purpose of promoting the knowledge of God, and of furthering unity and fellowship amongst men.”

(Bahá’í Faith, Baha’u’llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 12)

c. Have Certitude in the Creator, and believe that He will do what He states He will do, (some call this faith):  Judaism: 2 Chronicles 20:20 “Believe (with certainty) in The LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.” Isaiah 43:10 “Saith The LORD, believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.” Sirach 2:6 “Believe in Him, and He will help thee; order thy way aright, and trust in Him.” Enoch 43:1 “Believe in the name of The Lord of Spirits for ever and ever.” (Apocrypha,)  Christianity: Luke “1:1 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,” 1:2 “Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;” 1:3 “It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,” 1:4 “That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.” John 11:40 “Jesus saith unto her, ‘Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, (with certainty) thou shouldest see the glory of God?” John 14:1 “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.”

BAHA’I FAITH: “Blessed are they who, on the wings of certitude, have flown in the heavens which the Pen of thy Lord, the All-Merciful, hath spread.”

(Bahá’í Faith, Baha’u’llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah, p. 242)

 ISLAM: 50. “But truly (Revelation) is a cause of sorrow for the Unbelievers. But verily it is Truth of assured certainty. So glorify the name of thy Lord Most High.”

(The Qur’an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surah  69)

Islam: “Sleep in peace; We have known that you were a true believer who believed with certainty.”

(Islam, Hadith, Bukhari Vol 9, Book 92, # 390)

 ZOROASTRIANISM: “And in case of doubt we must consider as being saved, Him who, for all we have seen and known, has been a believer in body and soul,” (with certitude)

(Zoroaster, The Zend-Avesta, Avesta Fragments)

 HINDUISM: 1. “When one believes, then one perceives. One, who does not believe, does not perceive. Only he, who believes, perceives.” (with certitude he believes)

(Hindu, Upanishads vol. 1, Khandogya-Upanishad Part 4)

 BUDDHISM: 10. “In whatever he be decked, If yet he cultivates tranquility of mind, Is calm, controlled, certain and chaste, And has ceased to injure all other beings, He is indeed, a brahman, a samana, a bhikkhu.”

(Buddhist, Dhammapada – Sayings of the Buddha 3 (tr. J. Richards))

 SABEANISM: “Ye are set up and raised up, my chosen ones, by the word and certitude that came to you the word and the certitude that came to the good, the true word which came to believers.” (Sabeanism, Ginza Rba- chapter 99)

 BABI RELIGION: “Glorified art Thou, O my God! I invoke Thee by Thy Most Great Name through which the hidden secrets of God, the Most Exalted, were divulged and the kindreds of all nations converged toward the focal centre of faith and certitude, through which Thy luminous Words streamed forth for the quickening of mankind and the essence of all knowledge was revealed from that Embodiment of bounty.”

(The Bab, Selections from the Writings of the Bab, p. 199)

BAHA’I FAITH: “Such should be thy certitude that if all mankind were to advance such claims as no man hath ever advanced, or any mind conceived, thou wouldst completely ignore them, wouldst cast them from thee, and would set thy face towards Him Who is the Object of the adoration of all worlds.”

(Bahá’í Faith, Baha’u’llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah, p. 244)

d. Be an Example of true Justice in the World of Humanity:  Judaism: Psalms 82:3 “Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.” Psalms 89:14 “Justice and judgment are the habitation of Thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before Thy face.” Proverbs 21:3 “To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to The LORD than sacrifice.” Isaiah 56:1 “Thus saith The LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice:”  Christianity: Matthew 12:18 “Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment….” John 7:24 “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” Romans 2:12 “For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;” Romans 2:13 “For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.”

BAHA’I FAITH: “As the body of man needeth a garment to clothe it, so the body of mankind must needs be adorned with the mantle of justice and wisdom.”

(Bahá’í Faith, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah, p. 81)

 ISLAM: 58. “Allah (God) doth command you to render back your trusts to those to whom they are due; and when ye judge between man and man, that ye judge with justice: verily how excellent is the teaching which He giveth you! for Allah is He who heareth and seeth all things.”

(The Qur’an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surah 4)

Islam: 152. “Whenever ye speak, speak justly, even if a near relative is concerned; and fulfill the Covenant of Allah (God): thus doth He command you, that ye may remember.”

(The Qur’an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surah   6

 ZOROASTRIANISM: 2. “That which Gathas (may) be to us, which are our guardians and defenders, and our spiritual food, yea, which (may) be to our souls both food and clothing, such are these Gathas to us, guardians, and defenders, and (spiritual) food, even such they are, both food and clothing to the soul. And (may) they be to us (for this our offering) abundant givers of rewards, and just and righteous ones,” “We worship Arshtat (Justice).” “For, good intelligence (wisdom) keeps (a man), in accordance with justice.”

(Zoroaster, The Zend-Avesta, Avesta – Yasna 55, Visperad 7 and Denkard)

 HINDUISM: 9. “He shall protect the castes and orders in accordance with justice,”

(Hindu The Dharma Sutras, Gutama 11)

 BUDDHISM: 19. “A person is not a supporter of justice simply because one talks much. Even if a person has learned little, whoever discerns justice with the body and does not neglect justice is a supporter of justice.”

(Buddhist, Dhammapada – Sayings of the Buddha 2 (tr. J. Richards))

 SABEANISM: “The names of righteous, (the just) and believing people Will be established in the Place of Light. Thy name giveth out light.” “Nor will the Judge of the False question them. The Life (God) will count you in His reckoning.” (Sabeanism, Ginza Rba- chapters 67 and 77)

Sabeanism: “My Lord, High King of Light, Revealer Whose eyes are uncovered, seeking justice And enacting justice for those who love it,” (Sabeanism, Ginza Rba- chapter 71)

 BABI RELIGION: “Far be it from the justice of God to withhold from so ardent and devoted a seeker the cup of His grace, or to deprive a soul so athirst from the billowing ocean of His Revelation.” “He was greatly esteemed for his honourable and just conduct. His intervention on behalf of the downtrodden invariably received the consideration and sympathy of the authorities concerned.”

The Bab: (Shoghi Effendi, The Dawn-Breakers, pp. 88 and 565)

BAHA’I FAITH: “Set thy heart firmly upon justice, and alter not the Cause of God, and be of them whose eyes are directed towards the things that have been revealed in His Book.”

(Bahá’í Faith, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah, p. 230)

Baha’i Faith: “Set your reliance on the army of justice, put on the armour of wisdom, let your adorning be forgiveness and mercy and that which cheereth the hearts of the well-favored of God.”

(Baha’u’llah, Tablets of Baha’u’llah, p. 138)

e. Live Piously: Piety, fidelity, devotion, holiness:  Christianity: 1 Timothy 5:4 “Children….. let them learn first to shew piety at home,…..for that is good and acceptable before God.” 1 Peter 3:8 “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:” 1 Corinthians 7:34 “Be holy (pious) both in body and in spirit.” 27:1 Corinthians Dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness, (perfecting piety) in the fear of God.” Titus 2:10 “Shewing all good fidelity.” (Pious behaviour). Revelation 22:11 “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.” (Let him be pious).  Judaism: Numbers 15:39 “And remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring:” Numbers 15:40 “That ye may remember, and do all my commandments and be holy (pious) unto your God.” Isaiah 35:8 “And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it.” Psalms 29:2 “Give unto The LORD the glory due unto His name; worship The LORD in the beauty of holiness (and piety).” Psalms 93:5 Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness (piety) becometh thine house, O LORD, for ever. Psalms 119:38 “Stablish Thy word unto Thy servant, who is devoted to Thy fear.”

BAHA’I FAITH: “This Wronged One enjoineth on you honesty and piety.”

(Bahá’í Faith, Baha’u’llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 22)

 ISLAM: 2. “Help ye one another in righteousness and piety, but help ye not one another in sin and rancor: fear Allah (God): for Allah is strict in punishment.”

(The Qur’an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surah   5)

Islam: 105. “Set thy face towards Religion with true piety, and never in anywise be of the Unbelievers;”

(The Qur’an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surah  10)

 ZOROASTRIANISM: 21. “By Piety the man becomes Holy. Such person advances Right through his thinking, his words, his action, his Self. By Good Thought Mazda Ahura (God) will give the Dominion. For this good Destiny I long.”

(Zoroaster, The Zend-Avesta, Avesta – Yasna 51)

 Zoroastrianism: 4:43 “And they shall thenceforth in their doings walk after the way of holiness (piety), after the word of holiness, after the ordinance of holiness.” Walk ye in the doings of piety, with words of piety and obey the ordinances (laws) of piety.

(Zoroaster, The Zend-Avesta, Avesta – Vendidad)

 Zoroastrianism: 7:1 “(I desire to offer my homage and my praise) accompanying those likewise of the good Mazdayasnian Faith, and those of the pious and beneficent Prayer for blessings, and of the pious and good veracity, and of the pious word.”

(The Zend-Avesta, Avesta – Visperad)

 HINDUISM: “Yea! knowing Me the source of all, by Me all creatures wrought, The wise in spirit cleave to Me, into My Being brought; Hearts fixed on Me; breaths breathed to Me; praising Me, each to each, So have they happiness and peace, with pious thought and speech; And unto these thus serving well, thus loving ceaselessly- I give a mind of perfect mood, whereby they draw to Me; And, all for love of them, within their darkened souls I dwell, And, with bright rays of wisdom’s lamp, their ignorance dispel.”

(Hindu, Bhagavad Gita (Edwin Arnold tr) chapter 10)

 Hinduism: “Make thine acts thy piety, casting all self aside,” “Good is the steadfastness whereby a man Masters his beats of heart, his very breath Of life, the action of his senses; fixed In never-shaken faith and piety:”

(Hindu, Bhagavad Gita (Edwin Arnold tr) chapters 2 and 18)

 BUDDHISM: 26. “It is by pious behaviour that a man is called a man of religion, and by casting out blemishes one is called one gone forth.”

(Buddhist, Dhammapada – Sayings of the Buddha 1 (tr. J. Richards))

 SABEANISM: “I strive with a pious and believing heart for the love of precious Truth (knowledge).” “Great First Word (God), which assured me sight in mine eyes, pour wisdom into my heart! Open the eyes of my understanding!” “The soul (be that of) a good, pious person, will do good.” (Sabeanism, Ginza Rba- chapters 74, 77 and 171)

 BABI RELIGION: “Observe piety in your Faith, observe piety and virtue…”

(The Bab, Selections from the Writings of the Bab, pp. 129 and 149)

BAHA’I FAITH: “Cling ye to the hem of virtue, and hold fast to the cord of trustworthiness and piety.”

(Bahá’í Faith, Baha’u’llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 29)

Baha’i Faith: “The purpose of the one true God in manifesting Himself is to summon all mankind to truthfulness and sincerity, to piety and trustworthiness, to resignation and submissiveness to the Will of God, to forbearance and kindliness, to uprightness and wisdom. His object is to array every man with the mantle of a saintly character, and to adorn him with the ornament of holy and goodly deeds.”

(Baha’u’llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah, p. 298)

f. Strive after Righteousness in this life:  Judaism: 1 Samuel 26:23 “The LORD render to every man His righteousness and His faithfulness” Proverbs 10:2 “Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.” Proverbs 12:28 “In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.” Isaiah 32:17 “And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.”  Christianity: Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Matthew 6:33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” 1 Timothy 6:11 “…..follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.” 1 John 2:28 “And now, little children, abide in Him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.” 1 John 2:29 “If ye know that He is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of Him.” 1 John 3:7 “Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous.”

BAHA’I FAITH: “Should we not, rather, take the pathway of the righteous, and follow in the footsteps of those great ones gone before?”

(Bahá’í Faith, Abdu’l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu’l-Baha, p. 220)

 ISLAM: 177. “It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces toward East or West; but it is righteousness to believe in Allah (God) and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves; to be steadfast in prayer, and practice regular charity;”

(The Qur’an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surah   2)

Islam: 277. “Those who believe, and do deeds of righteousness, and establish regular prayers and regular charity, will have their reward with their Lord: on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.”

(The Qur’an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surah   2)

 ZOROASTRIANISM: 19. “An Atharvan shall first go along the way and shall say aloud These victorious words: “Yatha aha vairyo: – The will of the Lord is the law of righteousness.”

(The Zend-Avesta, Avesta – Vendidad 8)

 Zoroastrianism: 1. “A blessing is Righteousness (called) the Best. It is weal; it is weal to this (man), When toward Righteousness Best there is right.”

(The Zend-Avesta, Avesta – Yasna 8)

 HINDUISM: 170. “Neither a man who (lives) unrighteously, nor he who (acquires) wealth (by telling) falsehoods, nor he who always delights in doing injury, ever attain happiness in this world.” 171. “Let him, though suffering in consequence of his righteousness, never turn his heart to unrighteousness; for he will see the speedy overthrow of unrighteous, wicked men.” 172. “Unrighteousness, practiced in this world, does not at once produce its fruit, like a cow; but, advancing slowly, it cuts off the roots of him who committed it.”

(Hindu, Laws of Manu chapter 4)

 Hinduism: “Krishna possesses a character….. unmatched in human wisdom, ever striving for righteousness and peace.”

(Hindu, Mababharata (R. Dutt, abridged tr))

 Hinduism: “Sorrow and suffering, trial and endurance, are a part of the Hindu ideal of a Perfect Life of righteousness.”

(Hindu, Ramayana (R. Dutt, abridged tr))

 BUDDHISM:  13. “Wake up and don’t be careless, but lead a life of well-doing. He who follows righteousness lives happily in this world and the next. Lead a life of righteousness, and not a life of wrong-doing. He who follows righteousness lives happily in this world and the next.”

(Buddhist, Dhammapada – Sayings of the Buddha 1 (tr. J. Richards))

 Buddhism: 26. “In whom there are truth and righteousness, Pure is he.”

(Buddhist, Dhammapada – Sayings of the Buddha 3 (tr. J. Richards))

 SABEANISM: “The names of righteous and believing people Will be established in the Place of Light. Thy name giveth out light.” (Sabeanism, Ginza Rba- chapter 77)

 BABI RELIGION: “Fear thou God and pride not thyself on thine earthly possessions, inasmuch as what God doth possess is better for them that tread the path of righteousness.”

(The Bab, Selections from the Writings of the Bab, p. 19)

 Babi Religion: “The whole object of such righteousness is but recognition of God, thy Lord, and undoubted faith in the Words revealed by Him.”

(The Bab, Selections from the Writings of the Bab, p. 33)

BAHA’I FAITH:  “The second pathway is that of religion, the road of the divine Kingdom. It involves the acquisition of praiseworthy attributes, heavenly illumination and righteous actions in the world of humanity.”

(Bahá’í Faith, Abdu’l-Baha, Foundations of World Unity, p. 70)

Baha’i Faith: “It behoveth the loved ones of The Lord to be the signs and tokens of His universal mercy and the embodiments of His own excelling grace. Like the sun, let them cast their rays upon garden and rubbish heap alike, and even as clouds in spring, let them shed down their rain upon flower and thorn. Let them seek but love and faithfulness, let them not follow the ways of unkindness, let their talk be confined to the secrets of friendship and of peace. Such are the attributes of the righteous, such is the distinguishing mark of those who serve His Threshold.”

(Bahá’í Faith, Abdu’l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu’l-Baha, p. 257

g. Be the Ensign of Trustworthiness: Be ever Trustworthy to your fellow men:  Judaism: Deuteronomy 23:23 “That which is gone out of thy lips thou shalt keep and perform;” Numbers 32:24 “Do that which hath proceeded out of your mouth.” Sirach 29:14“An honest man is surety for his neighbour:” (Deuterocanonical Apocrypha)  Christianity: 1Timothy 2: 2 “…..lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.” John 10:37 “If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.” James 2:12 “So speak ye, and so do,” Titus 2:10 “Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.” Hebrews 13:18 “Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.” Be trustworthy in all thy actions.

BAHA’I FAITH:  “When we speak let our speech be an outward evidence of the inner light, for we must speak the truth, otherwise we shall not act wisely.”

(Bahá’í Faith, Abdu’l-Baha, Divine Philosophy, p. 103)

Baha’i Faith: “Be ye trustworthy on earth, and withhold not from the poor the things given unto you by God through His grace. He, verily, will bestow upon you the double of what ye possess. He, in truth, is the All-Bounteous, the Most Generous.”

(Bahá’í Faith, Baha’u’llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 54)

 BABI RELIGION: “Broadly regarded, Bábísm may be defined as a creed of charity, and almost of common humanity. Brotherly love, kindness to children, courtesy combined with dignity, sociability, hospitality, freedom from bigotry, friendliness, even to Christians, are included in its tenets.” “He (The Bab) Himself is the first to practice the observances He has enjoined upon the faithful. It therefore behoves us who are His supporters to follow His noble example.”

The Bab: (Shoghi Effendi, The Dawn-Breakers, pp. 539 and 600)

 ISLAM: 119. “O ye who believe! fear Allah (God) and be with those who are true (in word and deed).” 44. “Do ye enjoin right conduct on the people, and forget (to practice it) yourselves, and yet ye study the Scripture? Will ye not understand?”

(The Qur’an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surahs  2 and 9)

Islam: 26. “For the best (man) that thou canst hire in the strong, the trustworthy.”

(The Qur’an (Pickthall tr), Sura 28 – The Narrative)

Islam: 26. “Truly the best of men for thee to employ is the man who is strong and trusty.”

(The Qur’an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surah  28)

Islam: 2. “O ye who believe! why say ye that which ye do not?” 3. “Grievously odious is it in the sight of Allah that ye say that which ye do not.”

(The Qur’an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surah  61)

 ZOROASTRIANISM: “The religious man throughout his entire duty with the correct thought, the truthful word, and the righteous action,”

(Zoroaster, The Zend-Avesta, Avesta – Yasna 19)

 Zoroastrianism: 6. “To him shall the best befall, who, as one that knows, speaks to me Right’s truthful word of Welfare and of Immortality; even the Dominion of Mazda (God) which Good Thought shall increase for him.”

(Zoroaster, The Zend-Avesta, Avesta – Yasna 31)

 HINDUISM:  256. “All things (have their nature) determined by speech; speech is their root, and from speech they proceed; but he who is dishonest with respect to speech, is dishonest in everything.”

(Hindu, Laws of Manu chapter 4)

 Hinduism: 2.36 “When one is firmly established in speaking truth, the fruits of action become subservient to him.” “All jewels approach him who is confirmed in honesty.”

(Hindu, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali)

 Hinduism: 4. “Over this earth with mighty step strode Vishnu (God), ready to give it for a home to Manu. In him the humble people trust for safety: he, nobly born.”

(Hindu, Vedas, Rig Veda – Book 7)

 BUDDHISM: 1. “Even if the thoughtless can recite many of the scriptures, if they do not act accordingly, they are not living the holy life,”

(Buddhist, Dhammapada – Sayings of the Buddha 2 (tr. J. Richards))

 Buddhism: 4. “Like a beautiful flower, full of color, but without scent, are the fine but fruitless words of those who do not act accordingly. But like a beautiful flower, full of color and full of scent, are the fine and fruitful words of those who do act accordingly.”

(Buddhist, Dhammapada – Sayings of the Buddha 2 (tr. J. Richards))

 Buddhism: 15. “Health is the supreme possession. Contentment is the supreme wealth. A trustworthy friend is the supreme relation. Nirvana is the supreme happiness.”

(Buddhist, Dhammapada – Sayings of the Buddha 1 (tr. J. Richards))

 SABEANISM:  “I strive with a pious and believing heart for the love of precious Truth” (and) perform the works Of (a) right-dealing (trustworthy) Man.” “For my heart hath testified to The First Life (Haiyi Qadmaiyi/God).” “Behold me, who have sought purification before Thee! Look on me, my deeds, I am Thy servant and Thy child. Now I humble myself… to Thy name, for I have been true to thy name, and speak (it) in my heart and talk (of it) in my mind. And I subdue my form and my loins,” I stay away from love of self and pride. “I shall be pure in all my words (thoughts); and life.” (in) “Thy truth, we have confidence.” (Sabeanism, Ginza Rba- chapters 1, 77, 92 and 410)

Sabeanism:  “For my heart hath loved the Life and mine eyes wait upon Manda-d-Hiia And I testify to the Life and to my lord Manda-d-Hiia with a true and faithful (trustworthy) heart.” (Sabeanism, Ginza Rba- chapter 74)

 BABI RELIGION: “He characterized as an emphasis on compassion, mercy, association with all peoples, trustworthiness towards all men, and the unification of mankind.”

(Peter Smith, The Babi & Baha’i Religions, p. 82)

 Babi Religion: “These ethics taught by a young man (The Bab) at an age when passions were intense, deeply impressed an audience, religious to the point of fanaticism, above all when the words of the preacher were in perfect harmony with his conduct.

The Bab: (Shoghi Effendi, The Dawn-Breakers, p. 158)

BAHA’I FAITH: “Be generous in prosperity, and thankful in adversity. Be worthy of the trust of thy neighbor, and look upon him with a bright and friendly face.”

(Bahá’í Faith, Baha’u’llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 93)

h. We are to Love God with all our Hearts, thoughts and soul:  Judaism: Deuteronomy 6:5 “And thou shalt love The LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” Joshua 22:5 “But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of The LORD charged you, to love The LORD your God, and to walk in all His ways, and to keep His commandments, and to cleave unto Him, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul.”  Christianity: Matthew 22:37 “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love The Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” Matthew 22:38 “This is the first and great commandment.” Mark 12:30 “And thou shalt love The Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength.”

BAHA’I FAITH: “Day by day ye will love God in ever greater measure, and become more tightly bound to the Beauty that abideth forever, to Him Who is the Light of the world.”

(Bahá’í Faith, Abdu’l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu’l-Baha, p. 202)

 ISLAM: 177. “It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces toward East or West; but it is righteousness to believe in Allah (God) and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves; to be steadfast in prayer, and practice regular charity;”

(The Qur’an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surah   2)

Islam: 31. “If ye do love Allah (God), follow me: Allah will love you, and forgive you your sins, for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”

(The Qur’an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surah   3)

 ZOROASTRIANISM: 12. “And so thou, O youth of good thoughts, good words, and good deeds, of good religion! didst love Me for that greatness, goodness, fairness, sweet-scentedness, victorious strength, and freedom from sorrow, in which I appear to thee.”

(Zoroaster, The Zend-Avesta, Avesta Fragments)

 Zoroastrianism: 58. “Everybody did love Thee for that greatness, goodness, fairness, sweet scentedness, victorious strength, and freedom from sorrow, in which Thou dost appear to me.”

(Zoroaster, The Zend-Avesta, Avesta Fragments)

 HINDUISM: “Who cleave, who seek in Me Refuge from birth and death, those have the Truth! Those know Me BRAHMA (God): know Me Soul of Souls, The ADHYATMAN: know KARMA, my work; Know I am ADHIBHUTA, Lord of Life, And ADHIDAIVA, Lord of all the Gods, And ADHIYAJNA, Lord of Sacrifice; Worship Me well, with hearts of love and faith, And find and hold me in the hour of death.”

(Hindu, Bhagavad Gita (Edwin Arnold tr) chapter 7)

 Hinduism: “They glorify Me; seek Me; keep their vows Of reverence and love, with changeless faith Adoring Me.” “But them that worship Me with love, I love; They are in Me, and I in them!”

(Hindu, Bhagavad Gita (Edwin Arnold tr) chapter 9)

 BUDDHISM: “Undisturbed shall our mind remain, no evil words shall escape our lips; friendly and full of sympathy shall we remain, with heart full of love, and free from any hidden malice; and that person shall We penetrate with loving thoughts, wide, deep, boundless, freed from anger and hatred.”

((The Eightfold Path), Buddha, the Word (The Eightfold Path))

 Buddhism: “The true Samana who is seeking the way to Brahma (God), let him have thoughts of love everywhere throughout the whole world pervading with thoughts of love ‘far reaching, beyond measure, all embracing.’ Regard all with mind set free and filled with deep felt love, ‘this is the way to a state of union with Brahma.’ Be filled with thoughts of pity, sympathy and equanimity far reaching beyond measure all embracing even for all things that have form or life with deep felt pity, sympathy and equanimity not one is set aside. He will not be filled with anger or malice, his mind will be pure free of lust, he will have self mastery he will be free from cares, and this one at death at the dissolution of his body will become united with Brahma who is of the same condition.” (Buddha, Tevigga Sutra)

 SABEANISM: “Life is fulfilled in its own glory and Great Life (God) dwelleth in those that love Him.” (Sabeanism, Ginza Rba- chapters 59 and 60)

Sabeanism: “Good is the Good for the good, and His nature is set upon those who love His name” “hearing and being heard, (with) Joy of heart and forgiving of sins.” (Sabeanism, Ginza Rba – chapter 72 and 105)

 BABI RELIGION: “WHENEVER the faithful hear the verses of this Book being recited, their eyes will overflow with tears and their hearts will be deeply touched by Him Who is the Most Great Remembrance for the love they cherish for God, the All-Praised.”

(The Bab, Selections from the Writings of the Bab, p. 62)

BAHA’I FAITH: “For the love of God, and them that serve Him, arise to aid this sublime and momentous Revelation. Religious fanaticism and hatred are a world-devouring fire, whose violence none can quench. The Hand of Divine power can, alone, deliver mankind from this desolating affliction.”

(Bahá’í Faith, Baha’u’llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 13)

Baha’i Faith: “Arise, O wayfarer in the path of the Love of God, and aid thou His Cause.”

(Bahá’í Faith, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah, p. 37)

i. Be benevolent to one another: (Benevolent, kind, charitable, considerate, humane, compassionate)  Judaism: Proverbs 19:22 “The desire of a man is his kindness.” Psalms 112:4 “Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.” Sirach 32:18 A man of counsel will be considerate; (Deuterocanonical Apocrypha)   Christianity: Colossians 3:12 “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;” 1 Peter 3:8 “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:” 2 Peter 1:7 “And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.” 2 Peter 1:8 “For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Jude 1:22 “And of some have compassion, making a difference:”

BAHA’I FAITH: “If a Christian sets aside traditionary forms and blind imitation of ceremonials and investigates the reality of the gospels, he will discover that the foundation principles of the teachings of His Holiness Christ were mercy, love, fellowship, benevolence, altruism, the resplendence or radiance of divine bestowals, acquisition of the breaths of the Holy Spirit and oneness with God.”

(Bahá’í Faith, Abdu’l-Baha, Foundations of World Unity, p. 105)

 ISLAM: 31. “They deal with almost every aspect of life which goes a long way to make a man successful in life – brave, humane, generous, virtuous and pious.”

(Islam, Ali b. Abi Taalib, Letters from Nahjul Balaagh)

Islam: Letter 53. “In short this letter is on one hand the Gospel of the principles of administration as taught by the Holy Qur’án, a code to establish a kind and benevolent rule, throwing light on various aspects of justice, benevolence and mercy, an order based on the ethics of Divine rulership where justice and mercy are shown to human beings irrespective of class, creed and color, where poverty is neither a stigma nor a disqualification and where justice is not tainted with nepotism, favoritism, provincialism or religious fanaticism; and, on the other hand, it is a thesis on the higher values of morality.”

(Islam, Ali b. Abi Taalib, Letters from Nahjul Balaagh)

Islam: 43. “Be steadfast in prayer; practice regular charity; and bow down your heads with those who bow down (in worship).” 270. “And whatever ye spend in charity or devotion, be sure Allah knows it all.”

(The Qur’an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surah   2)

 ZOROASTRIANISM: “O Spenta Armaiti, kindly Do this out of kindness to the creatures open asunder and stretch thyself afar, to bear flocks and herds and men.” “May peace triumph over discord here, and generous giving (benevolence) over avarice, reverence over contempt, speech with truthful words over lying utterance. May the Righteous Order gain the victory over the Demon of the Lie.”

(Zoroaster, The Zend-Avesta, Avesta – Vendidad and Yasna 60)

 Zoroastrianism: 4. “So may we be to You, O Mazda Ahura (God)! holy and true, and with free giving of our gifts.”

(The Zend-Avesta, Avesta – Yasna 40)

 HINDUISM: 3. “So may we be acquainted with thine innermost benevolence:” 4. “May we be sharers of the powers, sharers of the benevolence.”

(Hindu, Vedas, Rig Veda – Book 1)

 Hinduism: 3. “Whatever is given should be given with faith, not without faith,-with joy, with modesty, with fear, with kindness.”

(Hindu, Upanishads vol. 2, Taittiriyaka-Upanishad)

 BUDDHISM: “In Mental Action benevolence is a root of wholesome karma.”

((The Eightfold Path), Buddha, the Word (The Eightfold Path))

 Buddhism: “Practice kindness and compassion on all alike with no discrimination what-so-ever.” “Buddha, Surangama Sutra)

 SABEANISM: “Be careful; make enquiry, display kindness, show compassion.” (Sabeanism, Ginza Rba- chapter 74)

Sabeanism: “Blessed and praised be Life Who is filled with compassion for these souls. Praised be Thou, my Lord, Manda-d-Hiia, For thou raisest up these souls” “Thou a Lord who art all mercy.” (Sabeanism, Ginza Rba- chapters  35 and 70)

Sabeanism: “Who will guide me past the watch-house of Sãmïs?” “Your reward, your works, your alms, and your goodness will guide you.” (Sabeanism, The Song)

 BABI RELIGION: “He Who is the Generous, the Most Benevolent, the Essence of bounty, Who standeth supreme in the face of such as show benevolence; and it is He Who is the Ordainer and the Supreme Wielder of authority and power, inconceivably high above those who hold earthly dominion; and it is He Who is the Most Excellent, the Unsurpassed, the Pre-eminent in the face of every man of accomplishment.”

(The Bab, Selections from the Writings of the Bab, p. 164)

BAHA’I FAITH: “Show forbearance and benevolence and love to one another. Should any one among you be incapable of grasping a certain truth, or be striving to comprehend it, show forth, when conversing with him, a spirit of extreme kindliness and good-will. Help him to see and recognize the truth, without esteeming yourself to be, in the least, superior to him, or to be possessed of greater endowments.”

(Bahá’í Faith, Baha’u’llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah, p. 8)

j. Live a life of purity with pure thoughts, actions and motive:  Judaism: 2 Kings 22:26 “With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful, and with the upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright.” 2 Kings 22:27 “With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure.” Proverbs 30:5 “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.” Psalms 18:26 “With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure;” Psalms 24:4 “He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.” Psalms 24:5 “He shall receive the blessing from The LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.”  Christianity: 1 Timothy 4:12 “Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” Titus 1:15 “Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.” Titus 1:16 “They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” Matthew 5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”

BAHA’I FAITH: “The beloved of God must each be the essence of purity and holiness;”

(Bahá’í Faith, Abdu’l-Baha, Baha’i World Faith – Abdu’l-Baha Section, p. 365)

 ISLAM: 222. “Allah (God) loves those who turn to Him constantly and He loves those who keep themselves pure and clean.”

(The Qur’an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surah   2)

Islam: 108. “Allah loveth those who make themselves pure.”

(The Qur’an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surah   9)

 ZOROASTRIANISM: 18. “For purity is for man, next to life, the, greatest good, that purity, O Zarathushtra, that is in the Religion of Mazda (God) for him who cleanses his own self with good thoughts, words, and deeds.” 19. “Make thy own self pure, O righteous man! anyone in the world here below can win purity for his own self, namely, when he cleanses his own self with good thoughts, words, and deeds.”

(Zoroaster, The Zend-Avesta, Avesta – Vendidad 10)

 Zoroastrianism: “Discipline means purity of thought, purity of words and purity of deeds.” “Mazda is the upholder of rectitude. The more virtuous a man is the nearer he comes to Mazda, the source of perpetual delight.” (ZOROASTER, Hymns of Atharvan p. 580)

 HINDUISM: “The Soul’s light shineth pure in every place; And they who, by such eye of wisdom, see How Matter, and what deals with it, divide; And how the Spirit and the flesh have strife, Those wise ones go the way which leads to Life!”

(Hindu, Bhagavad Gita (Edwin Arnold tr) chapter 13)

 Hinduism: 2.40 “From purity follows a withdrawal from enchantment over one’s own body as well as a cessation of desire for physical contact with others.” 2.41 “As a result of contentment there is purity of mind, one-pointedness, control of the senses, and fitness for the vision of the self.”

(Hindu, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali)

 BUDDHISM: 14. “To abstain from all evil, the practice of good, and the thorough purification of one’s mind – this is the teaching of the Buddhas.” 18. “Little by little, moment by moment, a wise man should cleanse himself of blemishes, like a smith purifying silver.”

(Buddhist, Dhammapada – Sayings of the Buddha 1 (tr. J. Richards))

 Buddhism: 26. “The man who is stainless, pure, clear and free from impurities like the moon, the search for pleasure extinguished – that is what I call a Brahman.”

(Buddhist, Dhammapada – Sayings of the Buddha 1 (tr. J. Richards))

 Buddhism: “Enlightened disciples in the exercise of the Viya Paramita ought to maintain within themselves a pure and single mind; they should be unconscious of sensuous conditions and cultivate a mind that is independent of material circumstances. And why? Because, all sensuous conditions and material circumstances are only manifestations of mind and are alike dream-like and imaginary.” (Buddha, Diamond Sutra)

“I shall be pure in all my words (thoughts); and life.” (Sabeanism, Ginza Rba- chapter 1)

 SABEANISM: “For my heart hath testified to The First Life (God).” “Behold me, who have sought purification before Thee! Look on me, I am Thy servant and Thy child. Now I humble myself and my children to Thy name, for I have been true to thy name, and speak (it) in my heart and talk (of it) in my mind. And I subdue my form and my loins,” (Sabeanism, Ginza Rba- chapters 77 and 410)

 BABI RELIGION: “Such must be the purity of your character and the degree of your renunciation, that the people of the earth may through you recognize and be drawn closer to the heavenly Father who is the Source of purity and grace.”

The Bab: (Shoghi Effendi, The Dawn-Breakers, p. 91)

 Babi Religion: “GOD loveth those who are pure. Naught in the Bayan and in the sight of God is more loved than purity and immaculate cleanliness….”

(The Bab, Selections from the Writings of the Bab, p. 79

BAHA’I FAITH: “Give ear, O distinguished divine, unto the voice of this Wronged One. He verily, counselleth thee for the sake of God, and exhorteth thee unto that which will cause thee to draw nigh unto Him under all conditions. He, in truth, is the All-Possessing, the Exalted. Know thou that the ear of man hath been created that it may hearken unto the Divine Voice on this Day that hath been mentioned in all the Books, Scriptures, and Tablets. Purify thou, first, thy soul with the waters of renunciation, and adorn thine head with the crown of the fear of God, and thy temple with the ornament of reliance upon Him.”

(Bahá’í Faith, Baha’u’llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 2)

Baha’i Faith: “The eyes of this Wronged One are turned towards naught save trustworthiness, truthfulness, purity, and all that profiteth men.”

(Baha’u’llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 139)

k. We need to live our lives in detachment from the things of this worldly life:  Judaism: Psalms 27:16 “A little that a righteous man (of detachment) hath is better than the riches of many wicked.” Ecclesiastes 5:15 “As he came forth of his mother’s womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.” Psalms 49:6 “They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;” Psalms 49:7 “None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:” Psalms 62:10 “If riches increase, set not your heart upon them.” Be detached from all such worldly attainments! Psalms 69:32 “Your heart shall live that seek God,” freeing up one’s self from the delusions of this earthly life. Proverbs 15:16 “Better is little with the fear of The LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.” Ezra 39. “Flee the shadow of this world, receive the joyfulness of your glory:” (Deuterocanonical Apocrypha, Esdras 2 (Ezra 4))

BAHA’I FAITH: “Delight not yourselves in the things of the world and its vain ornaments, neither set your hopes on them. Let your reliance be on the remembrance of God, the Most Exalted, the Most Great.”

(Bahá’í Faith, Baha’u’llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah, p. 127)

 Judaism: Proverbs 18:10 “The name of The LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” Proverbs 18:11 “The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.” Proverbs 18:12 “Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.”  Christianity: Revelations 3:17 “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:” 1 Timothy 6:17 “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;” Matthew 19:21 “Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.” Matthew 19:22 “But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.” Matthew 6:21 “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” So, if your treasure be in heaven there will your heart be also, otherwise if our treasure is of the earth so will our heart be. 1 John 2:15 “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 1 John 2:16 “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” The world is anything that turns us away from God and attracts us to the vanities of this life. 2 Peter 1:4 “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” Romans 8:6 “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” Romans 8:7 “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” Romans 8:13 “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” Titus 2:11 “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,” 2:12 “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;”

BAHA’I FAITH: “Whatsoever deterreth you, in this Day, from loving God is nothing but the world. Flee it, that ye may be numbered with the blest. Should a man wish to adorn himself with the ornaments of the earth, to wear its apparels, or partake of the benefits it can bestow, no harm can befall him, if he alloweth nothing whatever to intervene between him and God, for God hath ordained every good thing, whether created in the heavens or in the earth, for such of His servants as truly believe in Him. Eat ye, O people, of the good things which God hath allowed you, and deprive not yourselves from His wondrous bounties. Render thanks and praise unto Him, and be of them that are truly thankful.” “Cast away that which ye possess, and, on the wings of detachment, soar beyond all created things.”

(Bahá’í Faith, Baha’u’llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah, pp. 139 and 276)

 ISLAM: Letter: 3. “Your mind will corroborate and confirm this if it is kept free from intemperate ambitions, from lust for alluring things, from sensuality and from vicious affections and attachments.”

        (Islam, Ali b. Abi Taalib, Letters from Nahjul Balaagh)

Islam: 28. “And keep thy soul content with those who call on their Lord morning and evening, seeking His Face; and let not thine eyes pass beyond them, seeking the pomp and glitter of this Life;” 60. “The (material) things which ye are given are but the conveniences of this life and the glitter thereof; but that which is with Allah (God) is better and more enduring: will ye not then be wise?”

(The Qur’an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surahs 18 and 28)

 ZOROASTRIANISM:  “When the devotee is fully established in detachment he does not pray for anything, for he can do without everything. That is the meaning of Kshathram (nonchalance).” (ZOROASTER, Hymns of Atharvan p. 268)

 Zoroastrianism: “Nonchalance (detachment) is the best gift of Mazda (God).” (ZOROASTER, Hymns of Atharvan p. 736)

 HINDUISM: “Detachment, lightly holding unto home, Children, and wife, and all that bindeth men; An ever-tranquil heart in fortunes good And fortunes evil, with a will set firm To worship Me- Me only!”

(Hindu, Bhagavad Gita (Edwin Arnold tr) chapter 13)

 Hinduism: 16. “Let him not, out of desire (for enjoyments), attach himself to any sensual pleasures, and let him carefully obviate an excessive attachment to them, by (reflecting on their worthlessness in) his heart.” 80. “When by the disposition (of his heart) he becomes indifferent to all objects, he obtains eternal happiness both in this world and after death.”

(Hindu, Laws of Manu chapters 4 and 6)

 BUDDHISM: “Under all circumstances you should free yourselves from attachment to objects; toward them your attitude should be neutral and indifferent. Let neither success nor failure, neither profit nor loss, worry you.” (Buddha, Sixth Patriarch)

 Buddhism: 13. “Don’t practice an ignoble way of life, don’t indulge in a careless attitude. Don’t follow a wrong view, and don’t be attached to the world.” 24. “People beset by desire run here and there, like a snared rabbit, and those trapped in the bonds of attachments keep Returning for a long time to suffering. So one should get rid of one’s craving if it is freedom from desire that one wants.”

(Buddhist, Dhammapada – Sayings of the Buddha 1 (tr. J. Richards))

 Buddhism: 17. “Abandon anger, give up pride, and overcome all fetters. Suffering does nor befall him who is without attachment to names and forms, and possesses nothing of his own.” 18. “Hard is the life of a modest one Who ever seeks after purity, Who is strenuous, humble, Cleanly of life, and discerning.”

(Buddhist, Dhammapada – Sayings of the Buddha 1 and 3 (tr. J. Richards))

 SABEANISM: “The mana rejoiceth in its treasure And in the glory of Life Which resteth on it. I have acknowledged Thee (O) Elect Righteous One, For Thou settest my soul free From transitory things.” (Sabeanism, Ginza Rba- chapter 93)

Sabeanism: “Be no son of the House, the world.” “Adam, look upon the world which is a completely unreal thing. It is a unreal thing, in which you can put no trust.” (Sabeanism, Instruction of Adam)

 BABI RELIGION: “Such must be the degree of your detachment, that into whatever city you enter to proclaim and teach the Cause of God, you should in no wise expect either meat or reward from its people.”

The Bab: (Shoghi Effendi, The Dawn-Breakers, p. 92)

BAHA’I FAITH: “Blessed are they that have soared on the wings of detachment and attained the station which, as ordained by God, overshadoweth the entire creation, whom neither the vain imaginations of the learned, nor the multitude of the hosts of the earth have succeeded in deflecting from His Cause.”

(Bahá’í Faith, Baha’u’llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah, p. 34)

Baha’i Faith: “Well is it with him who hath been illumined with the light of trust and detachment.”

(Baha’u’llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 147)

l. We need to learn humility in our lives if we truly wish to serve God and help our fellow man grow spiritually:  Judaism: Proverbs 15:33 “The fear of The LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.” Proverbs 22:4 “By humility and the fear of The LORD are riches, and honour, and life.” Isaiah 57:15 “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite (repentant) ones.”  Christianity: Acts 20:19 “Serving The Lord with all humility of mind,” 1 Peter 5:5 “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.” 5:6 “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time:” 5:7 “Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.” Luke 14:11 “For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” James 4:10 “Humble yourselves in the sight of The Lord, and He shall lift you up.” Matthew 18:4 “Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little –  child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

BAHA’I FAITH: “Humility exalteth man to the heaven of glory and power, whilst pride abaseth him to the depths of wretchedness and degradation.”

(Bahá’í Faith, Baha’u’llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 29

 ISLAM: 58. “And remember We said: ‘Enter this town, and eat of the plenty therein as ye wish; but enter the gate with humility, in posture and in words, and We shall forgive you your faults and increase (the portion of) those who do good.”’

(The Qur’an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surah   2)

Islam: 55. “Call on your Lord with humility and in private: for Allah (God) loveth not those who trespass beyond bounds.” 205. “And do thou (O reader!) bring thy Lord to remembrance in thy (very) soul, with humility and in reverence, without loudness in words, in the mornings and evenings; and be not thou of those who are unheedful.”

(The Qur’an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surah   7)

 ZOROASTRIANISM: 36. “They clothe themselves with spite, in the course of strife, for the sake of vanishing goods. They are intoxicated with pride in their youth, and shall be full of regrets at the end of their time.”

(Zoroaster, The Zend-Avesta, Avesta Fragments)

 Zoroastrianism: Denkard. Zoroaster, “Do religious works with humility, think good thoughts, speak good words, and do good deeds.”

 HINDUISM: “Krishna. Fearlessness, singleness of soul, the will Always to strive for wisdom; opened hand And governed appetites; and piety, And love of lonely study; humbleness,”

(Hindu, Bhagavad Gita (Edwin Arnold tr) chapter 16)

 Hinduism: “There is the rightful doer. He who acts Free from self-seeking, humble, resolute, Steadfast, in good or evil hap the same, Content to do aright he truly acts.”

(Hindu, Bhagavad Gita (Edwin Arnold tr) chapter 18)

 BUDDHISM: 17. “Abandon anger, give up pride, and overcome all fetters. Suffering does nor befall him who is without attachment to names and forms, and possesses nothing of his own.” 18. “Hard is the life of a modest one Who ever seeks after purity, Who is strenuous, humble, Cleanly of life, and discerning.”

(Buddhist, Dhammapada – Sayings of the Buddha 1 and 3 (tr. J. Richards))

 Buddhism: “Charity can no longer be expressed in the giving of impersonal gifts but will call for the more costly gifts of sympathy and understanding; good behavior will call for something more than outward conformity to the five precepts because in the light of the Paramitas they must practice humility, simplicity, restraint and self-giving. Patience will call for something more than forbearance with external circumstances and the temperaments of other people: it will now call for patience with one’s self. Zeal will call for something more than industry and outward show of earnestness: it will call for more self-control in the task of following the Noble Path and in manifestating the Dharma in one’s own life.” (Buddha, Lankavatara Sutra)

 SABEANISM: “For my heart hath testified to The First Life (Haiyi Qadmaiyi/God).” “Behold me, who have sought purification before Thee! Look on me, I am Thy servant and Thy child. Now I humble myself and my children to Thy name, for I have been true to thy name, and speak (it) in my heart and talk (of it) in my mind. And I subdue my form and my loins,” (Sabeanism, Ginza Rba- chapters 77 and 410)

Sabeanism: “It is time to pray the ‘Devotions’ The great moment for humble worship.” (Sabeanism, Ginza Rba- chapter 118)

 BABI RELIGION: “If thou hast, upon hearing the divine verses and by virtue of thy spontaneous love for the True Word of God, responded in a spirit of utter humility and lowliness — a spirit which is one of the mightiest signs of true love and understanding — then such proofs have been and will ever be regarded as sound.”

(The Bab, Selections from the Writings of the Bab, p. 120)

BAHA’I FAITH: “It behoveth the people of truth that the signs of humility should shine upon their faces, that the light of sanctity should radiate from their countenances, that they should walk upon the earth as though they were in the presence of God and distinguish themselves in their deeds from all the dwellers of the earth.”

(Bahá’í Faith, Baha’u’llah, Gems of Divine Mysteries)

Baha’i Faith: “They who are the beloved of God, in whatever place they gather and whomsoever they may meet, must evince, in their attitude towards God, and in the manner of their celebration of His praise and glory, such humility and submissiveness that every atom of the dust beneath their feet may attest the depth of their devotion.”

(Baha’u’llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah, p. 7)

m. Meekness before our creator seems to be a teaching found in all the God fearing religions:  Judaism: Zephaniah 2:3 “Seek ye The LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness:” Isaiah 29:19 “The meek also shall increase their joy in The LORD” Psalms 149:4 “For The LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.”  Christianity: Galatians 5:22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,” Galatians 5:23 “Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Colossians 3:12 “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;” 1 Timothy 6:11 “But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.”

BAHA’I FAITH: “The beloved of God must each be the essence of purity and holiness; so may they be known by their purity, freedom and meekness in every land;”

(Bahá’í Faith, Abdu’l-Baha, Baha’i World Faith – Abdu’l-Baha Section, p. 365)

 ISLAM: “The Prophet said, ‘Be gentle and calm, O ‘Aisha, as Allah (God) likes gentleness in all affairs.”’ “When thou beholdest a sinner be concealing and meek.”

(Islam, Hadith, Bukhari Vol 8, book 75, # 404 and Islamic Miscellaneous)

Islam: 88. “Strain not thine eyes (wistfully) at what We have bestowed on certain classes of them, nor grieve over them: but lower thy wing (in gentle meekness) to the Believers.”

(The Qur’an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surah  15)

 ZOROASTRIANISM: 4. “I reject any who harm beings. I reject them with My thoughts, Words, and deeds. I reject them publicly.” “From him should flow no harm and no pain.” “Wish no harm unto that man who would offer Me a sacrifice, be it ever so great or ever so small.” (be ye ever so humble and meek)

(Zoroaster, The Zend-Avesta– Yasna 12 and Avesta Fragments)

 HINDUISM: “Humbleness (meek), truthfulness, and harmlessness, Patience and honour, reverence for the wise. Purity, constancy, control of self, Contempt of sense-delights, self-sacrifice, Perception of the certitude of ill In birth, death, age, disease, suffering, and sin; Detachment, lightly holding unto home, Children, and wife, and all that bindeth men; An ever tranquil (meek) heart in fortunes good And fortunes evil, with a will set firm To worship Me- Me only!”

(Hindu, Bhagavad Gita (Edwin Arnold tr) chapter 13)

 BUDDHISM: “He avoids harsh language, and abstains from it. He speaks such words as are gentle, soothing to the ear, loving, going to the heart, courteous, (meekly) and dear, and agreeable to many.” 26. “He who utters only gentle, instructive and truthful speech, criticizing no-one – that is what I call a brahmin.”

((The Eightfold Path), Buddha, the Word (The Eightfold Path and Dhammapada))

 SABEANISM: “We offer up our commemoration, our petition, our prayer, Our submission, our tabuta and our faith In Thy presence.” “Blessed art Thou, my Lord.” “In the name of The Great Life (Haiyi/God)! Hear me, my Father, hear me! Draw me upward (O) Great One.” This is an act of meekness and submission The Great Life. (Sabeanism, Ginza Rba- chapters 75 and 80)

Sabeanism: “It is time to pray the ‘Devotions’ The great moment for humble worship.” Which is to worship in all meekness. (Sabeanism, Ginza Rba- chapter 118)

 BABI RELIGION: “He prayed and worked unceasingly. His meekness was unfailing. Those who came near him felt in spite of themselves the fascinating influence of his personality, of his manner and of his speech.”

The Bab: (Shoghi Effendi, The Dawn-Breakers, p. 501)

BAHA’I FAITH: “By good deeds, pure lives, humility and meekness be a lesson for others.”

(Bahá’í Faith, Baha’i World Faith – Abdu’l-Baha Section, p. 365)

Baha’i Faith: “Be unjust to no man, and show all meekness to all men.”

(Bahá’í Faith, Baha’u’llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 93)

n. We must show patients in times of life’s hardships and in times of great stress, God will eventually deliver us from our troubles after we learn our lessons in this life:  Judaism: Ecclesiastes 7:8 “Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.” Sirach 20:32 “Necessary patience in seeking The Lord is better than he that leadeth his life without a guide.” (Deuterocanonical Apocrypha)  Christianity: Luke 22:19 “In your patience possess ye your souls.” 1 Timothy 6:11 “But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.” Hebrews 10:36 “For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” James 5:7 “Be patient therefore, brethren,”

 BABI RELIGION: “Remain patient as we have remained patient.”

(The Bab, Selections from the Writings of the Bab, p. 16)

BAHA’I FAITH: “Manifest magnificent patience during every calamity and hardship.”

(Bahá’í Faith, Baha’i World Faith – Abdu’l-Baha Section, p. 374)

 ISLAM: 126. “And if ye do catch them out, catch them out no worse than they catch you out: but if ye show patience, that is indeed the best course.”  “And do thou be patient, for thy patience is but from Allah (God); nor grieve over them: and distress not thyself because of their plots.”

(The Qur’an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surah  16)

Islam: 24. “Therefore be patient with constancy to the Command of thy Lord, and hearken not to the sinner or the ingrate among them.”

(The Qur’an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surah  76)

 ZOROASTRIANISM: “O Spenta Armaiti, kindly Do this out of kindness to the creatures open asunder and stretch thyself afar, to bear flocks and herds and men.” “May peace triumph over discord here, and generous giving (benevolence) over avarice, (patience over intolerance), reverence over contempt, speech with truthful words over lying utterance. May the Righteous Order gain the victory over the Demon of the Lie.”

(Zoroaster, The Zend-Avesta, Avesta – Vendidad and Yasna 60)

 Zoroastrianism: “He is patient, like a priest,”

(Zoroaster, The Zend-Avesta, Avesta – Vendidad)

 HINDUISM: “Arjuna…..” “Who hateth naught Of all which lives, living himself benign, Compassionate, from arrogance exempt, Exempt from love of self, unchangeable By good or ill; patient, contented, firm In faith, mastering himself, true to his word, Seeking Me, heart and soul; vowed unto Me,- That man I love!” 8. “Let him be always industrious in privately reciting the Veda; let him be patient of hardships, friendly (towards all), of collected mind, ever liberal and never a receiver of gifts, and compassionate towards all living creatures.”

(Hindu, Bhagavad Gita (Edwin Arnold tr chapter 12 and chapter 6 Manu)

 BUDDHISM: 19. “One is not a learned man by virtue of much speaking. He who is patient, without anger and fearless, he is to be called learned.”

(Buddhist, Dhammapada – Sayings of the Buddha 1 (tr. J. Richards))

 Buddhism: “Whoever is patient, free from hate and fear, is said to be wise.”

(Buddhist, Dhammapada – Sayings of the Buddha 2 (tr. J. Richards))

 Buddhism: “Mahamati, you and all the Bodhisattvas should discipline yourselves in the realization and patient acceptance.” (Buddha, Lankavatara Sutra)

 SABEANISM: “Behold these souls who believed in Thee And for Thy name’s sake stood (in patients) by on earth And were persecuted. Show us pure ether air So that we may forget earthly persecution, That we may forget the persecution of earth And the vexation of the wicked and liars.” (Sabeanism, Ginza Rba- chapter 71)

 BABI RELIGION: “BE Thou patient,” “as we have remained patient.”

(The Bab, Selections from the Writings of the Bab, pp. 16 and 56)

BAHA’I FAITH: “The virtues and attributes pertaining unto God are all evident and manifest, and have been mentioned and described in all the heavenly Books. Among them are trustworthiness, truthfulness, purity of heart while communing with God, forbearance, resignation to whatever the Almighty hath decreed, contentment with the things His Will hath provided, patience, nay, thankfulness in the midst of tribulation, and complete reliance, in all circumstances, upon Him. These rank, according to the estimate of God, among the highest and most laudable of all acts. All other acts are, and will ever remain, secondary and subordinate unto them….”

(Bahá’í Faith, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah, p. 290)

o. Constancy and steadfastness are prerequisites to living a holy life:  Judaism: 1 Chronicles 28:7 “Moreover I will establish his kingdom for ever, if he be constant to do my commandments and my judgments, as at this day.” Job 11:15 “For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be steadfast, and shalt not fear:”  Christianity: 1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of The Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in The Lord.” Titus 3:8 “This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.”

BAHA’I FAITH: “Today is the day for steadfastness and constancy. Blessed are they that stand firm and immovable as the rock, and brave the storm and stress of this tempestuous hour.”

(Bahá’í Faith, Abdu’l-Baha, Baha’i World Faith – Abdu’l-Baha Section, p. 349)

 ISLAM: 43. “And be steadfast in prayer; practice regular charity; and bow down your heads with those who bow down (in worship).” 130. “Therefore be patient with what they say, and celebrate (constantly) the praises of thy Lord before the rising of the sun, and before its setting; yea, celebrate them for part of the hours of the night, and at the sides of the day: that thou mayest have (spiritual) joy.

(The Qur’an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surahs 2 and 20)

Islam: 75. “Those are the ones who will be rewarded with the highest place in heaven, because of their patient constancy; therein shall they be met with salutations and peace.” 12. “And because they were patient and constant, He will reward them with a Garden and (garments of) silk.” 24. “Therefore be patient with constancy to the Command of thy Lord, and hearken not to the sinner or the ingrate among them.”

(The Qur’an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surahs 25 and 76)

 ZOROASTRIANISM: 19. “These and thou art Mine, and forth let thine exhilarations flow; bright and sparkling let them hold on their (steadfast) way; for light are thine exhilarations.” 5. “Ye save us, holy men, and saintly women as we are, and steadfast in the faith.”

(Zoroaster, The Zend-Avesta, Avesta – Yasnas 10 and 58)

 Zoroastrianism: Denkard. Zoroaster, “It is by continuing in the idea (i.e. by steadfastly holding the idea) of the great supremacy of God, that man will come to dislike (the use of) his own power to do evil;”

 HINDUISM: “Linked by no ties to earth, steadfast in Me, That man I love! But most of all I love Those happy ones to whom ’tis life to live In single fervid faith and love unseeing, Drinking the blessed Amrit of my Being!”

(Hindu, Bhagavad Gita (Edwin Arnold tr) chapter 12)

 Hinduism: “Good is the steadfastness whereby a man Masters his beats of heart, his very breath Of life, the action of his senses; fixed In never-shaken faith and piety:”

(Hindu, Bhagavad Gita (Edwin Arnold tr) chapter 18)

 BUDDHISM: “He whose senses are subdued, Like steeds well-trained by a charioteer; He who is free from pride and corruption Such a steadfast one even the gods hold dear.”

(Buddhist, Dhammapada – Sayings of the Buddha 3 (tr. J. Richards))

 Buddhism: “A disciple thus freed, in whose heart dwells peace, there is nothing to be added to what has been done, and naught more remains for him to do. Just as a rock of one solid mass remains unshaken by the wind, even so, neither forms, nor sounds, nor odors, nor tastes, nor contacts of any kind, neither the desired, nor the undesired, can cause such an one to waver. Steadfast is his mind, gained is deliverance.”

((The Eightfold Path), Buddha, the Word (The Eightfold Path))

 SABEANISM: “Thou knoweth him who feareth Thee with his heart And him who confesseth Thee with his lips. With a pure mouth be Thou blessed And lauded with a tongue of praise. Supporters who do not waver,” (steadfast) (Sabeanism, Ginza Rba- chapter 75)

Sabeanism: “Any man who is not steadfast (in thought) Whose mind is turned against me, Whose mind is turned from me, Great and not small will be his hurt.” (Sabeanism, Ginza Rba- chapter 89)

Sabeanism: “For He will come and will heal me, Will lift me up, raise me and confirm me Will direct my eyes to the Light, And my feet to steadfastness My mouth to wisdom and my heart to vigilance.” (Sabeanism, Ginza Rba- chapters 71 and 117)

Sabeanism: “Let there be strength and constancy for all lovers of Thy name!” (Sabeanism, Ginza Rba- chapter 410)

 BABI RELIGION: “By the righteousness of the true God, if ye remain steadfast upon this line which standeth upright between the two lines, ye shall, in very truth, quaff the living waters from the Fountain of this wondrous Revelation as proffered by the hand of His Remembrance…”

(The Bab, Selections from the Writings of the Bab, p. 56)

BAHA’I FAITH: “O ye beloved of God, and let your ears be attentive unto His Word, so that ye may, by His grace and mercy, drink your fill from the crystal waters of constancy, and become as steadfast and immovable as the mountain in His Cause.”

(Bahá’í Faith, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah, p. 12)

Baha’i Faith: “Vouchsafe Thy strength, O Almighty One, unto Thy weak creatures, and quicken them who are as dead, that haply they may find Thee, and may be led unto the ocean of Thy guidance, and may remain steadfast in Thy Cause.”

(Baha’u’llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 10)