Jainism: Treat all living beings as your own self
Some Sayings of Mahavira (from a Jainist publication)
SantMat_Mystic_(James)
http://profiles.yahoo.com/santmat_mystic
1. Dharma* is the essence of existence.
2. The differentia of Dharma is Ahimsa [non-violence in thought, word, and deed], and compassion ennobles it.
3. Respect for others -- absence of pride and ego -- is the root of Dharma.
4. The ten-fold Dharma (piety) is made of forgiveness, humility, honesty, greedlessness, truthfulness, self-control, curb on one's desires, renunciation, detachment and possessionlessness.
5. Right conduct consists in one's abstaining from hurting others, from speaking untruth, appropriating others' property, from wanton indulgence in sex and from unduly holding to possessions -- this, in short, is the five-fold 'good conduct'.
6. Mere reading holy books is of no avail unless knowledge derived from them is translated into practice and used in shaping one's conduct in life.
7. If pain is distasteful to you, know well that it is similarly distasteful to other living beings.
8. Treat all living beings as your own self.
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*Note:
"Dharma": "Dharma (Sanskrit) or Dhamma (Pali) is the underlying order in nature and human life and behaviour considered to be in accord with that order. Ethically, it means 'right way of living' or 'proper conduct,' especially in a religious sense. With respect to spirituality, dharma might be considered the Way of the Higher Truths. Dharma is a central concept in religions and philosophies originating in India. These religions and philosophies are called Dharmic religions. The principal ones are Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism, all of which emphasize Dharma (the correct understanding of Nature) in their teachings. In these traditions, beings that live in accordance with Dharma proceed more quickly toward Dharma Yukam, Moksha or Nirvana (personal liberation). Dharma also refers to the teachings and doctrines of the founders of these traditions, such as those of Gautama Buddha and Mahavira. In traditional Hindu society with its caste structure, Dharma constituted the religious and moral doctrine of the rights and duties of each individual."
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dharma
jainism, Mahavira, dharma, ahimsa, comparative religion, ethics, spiritual principals,
