Today’s Thursday Thought quote is a lesson from a very peaceful, loving group of people. If we all adopted this…what a world!
“I see no enemy, I see no stranger.” — Sikh Scripture
Tag Archive for Sikh
Seeds of Peace
Because of the significance of the season--notably Good Friday today, beginning of Passover tonight, Easter Sunday in two days–I’d like us all to think about peace.
PEACE is God’s loving gift to us. All He asks is that we accept it together. All of us, from all faiths. One way is through “The Peace Seeds.” These 12 prayers were prayed in Assisi on the 1986 Day of Prayer for World Peace. They are Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, Muslim, Sikh, Bahai’, Shinto, Native African, Native American, Zoroastrian, Jewish, and Christian. They may refer to the Life Force in different ways, but all call on it to help us attain the peace our Father wishes for us.
Let each prayer touch you deeply, where your longing for peace lives. Feel the unity of the world is in its craving for peace. Then call upon God using each prayer. You may want to change the references you aren’t comfortable with: “Vedic Law” in the Hindu to “Holy Law” or “Buddhahood” to “Your Will.” Remember: God wants not mere words from us but a unified desire to accept His gift.
You’ll find the Peace Seed Prayers at http://chaplaincyinstitute.org/library/blessings-and-prayers/interfaith-prayers-for-peace.
April: Focusing on Faith
April is a busy month. Several religions celebrate important spiritual occasions during this month. I thought I’d list them and encourage all believers to honor their own religious tradition not only by respecting the sacred beliefs of others but also by remembering that we are all part of the same human family under that Supreme Being/Force/God–whatever name we affix to Him/Her/It.
April:
1–Lazarus Saturday – Orthodox Christian
2–Palm Sunday – Orthodox Christian
5–Ramanavami – Hindu
9–Palm Sunday- Christian
10–Mahavir Jayanti – Jain
11–Lord’s Evening Meal – Jehovah’s Witness Christian
. Hanuman Jayanti – Hindu
11-14–Theravadin New Year – Buddhist
11-18–Pesach (Passover) – Jewish
13–Maundy Thursday – Christian
14–Holy Friday – Orthodox Christian
. Baisakhi (Vaisakhi) – Sikh
. Good Friday – Christian
16–Easter – Christian
. Pascha (Easter) – Orthodox Christian
21–First Day of Ridvan – Baha’i
23–St. George’s Day – Christian
. Yom HaShoah – Jewish
24–Lailat al Miraj * – Islam
29–Ninth Day of Ridvan – Baha’i
30–St. James the Great Day – Orthodox Christian
Special blessings to all this month!
Know Your Headgear
A 68-year-old Sikh man was purposely hit by a truck then beaten by two men. A physician and assistant professor of international affairs at Columbia University was beaten by at least a dozen teens and young men. Each year since 9/11, violence against peace-loving Sikhs has increased.
And the reason may very well boil down to beards and headgear, which are part of a devout Sikh man’s appearance.
Many people see the turban on a Sikh man and think he’s Muslim, then jump to the conclusion that all Muslims are responsible for 9/11 and the current terrorism. It’s a double error.
To dispel at least part of this egregious situation, I invite you to learn about the different headgear worn by Sikhs, Muslim religious elders, Afghan Muslims, Iranian Mullahs, Arab Muslim Kaffiyeh, and dessert people and Muslim terrorists.
Take a look. Then spread the word.