Path
of Truth
“In this
world
Hate never
yet dispelled hate.
Only love
dispels hate.
This is
the law,
Ancient
and inexhaustible.”
The
Dhammapada: The Sayings of the Buddha
These
words were probably first gathered in the south of India in the 3rd
century before the birth of Jesus. Dhamma means law, justice,
discipline, or truth; pada means path, step, foot, or foundation. It
could be translated, “the true path,” or "the just path." Very similar words to the
ones above were spoken by Jesus centuries later and are recorded in
Matthew 5:43-45: “You have heard that it was said, 'Love your
neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you love your enemies and
pray for those who persecute you that you may be sons of your Father
in heaven...” Jesus goes on to point out that the sun shines
and the rain falls on the good and the evil alike. This, too, is
ancient and inexhaustible wisdom, especially considering the fact
that none of us is completely good or completely evil.
Walking
the “path of truth” does not allow us to condemn others for what
we justify in ourselves. Each of us looks at the world through a very
particular lens—one of our own making. We believe that what is good
for us is good, and what is bad for us is evil, no matter where we
live on planet Earth. What happens, then, if that which is good for
me creates an unlivable condition for you? Who is “right” and who
is “wrong?”
We
have one planet. We can choose to be ruled by hate, and power-over
one another as we have always done, or we can choose to be ruled by
love and mutual respect. Free will is, after all, free will. Powering
over others is the easy, deadly way of hate. Acting through love and
mutual respect is much harder, and doesn't always end as we would
choose. It means we have to share the pie—equally. What about you?
Will you walk the path of truth today?
In
the Spirit,
Jane
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