One God

[loverofhumanity]

Yeah. It gets overwhelming. Once you start with the basics and foundations of each religion and their founders and their religion views outsiders, you get a better perspective in whether its an actual unity of religions (peace on both sides with both sides agreeing ) or is it one side saying X and another saying Y.

I want to share a mini experience of why I feel so strongly about seeing multple religions in one whether its an eclectic pagan, a diverse welcoming UU, a SGI member yearning for everyone to receive happiness via Daimoku, or Bahai view that educators of the times are pointing to the same goal as wrong.

But I will share it as a separate post when Im on my laptop.

If you decide to get the books, print versions are the best. I use online for reference when I practiced but if I go back to practice, Id always have the physical books. I feel you gain more insight.

I look forward to reading your post.

 

[loverofhumanity]

Yeah. It gets overwhelming. Once you start with the basics and foundations of each religion and their founders and their religion views outsiders, you get a better perspective in whether its an actual unity of religions (peace on both sides with both sides agreeing ) or is it one side saying X and another saying Y.

I want to share a mini experience of why I feel so strongly about seeing multple religions in one whether its an eclectic pagan, a diverse welcoming UU, a SGI member yearning for everyone to receive happiness via Daimoku, or Bahai view that educators of the times are pointing to the same goal as wrong.

But I will share it as a separate post when Im on my laptop.

If you decide to get the books, print versions are the best. I use online for reference when I practiced but if I go back to practice, Id always have the physical books. I feel you gain more insight.

With regards to the different Educators. Their Missions and Teachings were meant to be different not identical. Their station is twofold.

The first station is that They all teach attributes and virtues and in that regards They are one and the same. They all teach expressions of the same truth relative to the people and age They appear.

The second station is that of distinction. They each are known by a different name, are characterized by a special attribute, fulfill a definite Mission but They are in reality expressions of one truth.

So the Buddha and Baha'u'llah had different Missions and a different name and different attributes but They are both expressions of one truth.

Some similarities:

The Middle Way

"“Lament not in your hours of trial, neither rejoice therein; seek ye the Middle Way”

Bahá’u’lláh

The Prison of Self

“Free thyself from the fetters of this world, and loose thy soul from the prison of self”

Bahá'u'lláh. “The Hidden Words.”

Baha'u'llah came to establish world peace and world unity. In Buddha's time the world was not yet discovered so it was not possible nor was the technology available to put forth such a dhamma. However now it is so we see Baha'u'llah saying things like..

"The world is but one country and mankind its citizens'

A different Mission for a different time but a needed one.

But They both aim to free man of His attachment to his self and attain a state of spiritual awareness that brings inner peace and contentment.

It is the same with the other Educators. They had different names and Missions but they are in reality different expressions of one truth.

There you have it. That's why we can accept Buddha easily because we understand that He taught an expression of truth and reality and although it's not the exact same as what the other Educators taught it wasn't meant to be the same.

Much like the different notes make a beautiful song. They are all complimentary not in competition with each other.

In that sense we see Them as all Buddhas, all Christs, all Muhammads and Baha'u'llahs as They all in reality a different expression of the same truth.


That is why you will read things like this being said about Buddha in Bahá'í Scripture....

"Buddha was the cause of the illumination of the world of humanity"

 

[Unveiled Artist]

I'ma reply by my experiences I promised you in my other post. I am an American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreting student. All of my classes from regular ASL to interpreting to Deaf History are all in signed language. Every class we are encouraged and in most classes also by requirement that we must go into the Deaf Community and interact with Deaf individuals at community events they host et cetera so that we not only interact with the language (the silent environment) but with the people who makes up the language and that environment, the Deaf Community. All of my teachers are Deaf and they strain about the oppression of hearing have on the Deaf community. They speak of values they have that they are prevented from sharing with others of like mind. They speak of values such as visual language that in the 1950s- to roughly I think late 80s teachers would not allow students to use their hands and bodies to communicate. They were forced to speak even when some Deaf individuals can't. As an future-interpreter, I'd be a medium so that both hearing and Deaf individual receive the same message without my being the "help" involved. It's very complex but...

With regards to the different Educators. Their Missions and Teachings were meant to be different not identical. Their station is twofold. The first station is that They all teach attributes and virtues and in that regards They are one and the same. They all teach expressions of the same truth relative to the people and age They appear.

My overall point while I reply to the rest is because their teachings are different the followers of each teaching cannot have the same experience and see the same goal (same definition of it) as the person beside him, regardless of the time period.​

Today in class our professor did a brief overview of PSE, SEE, and ASL. The first a mix bred of ASL and English. The second, is English signed instead of spoken. The latter is a totally separate language and is not English at all.

They all have something in common: Signed language. Each have the same attributes (specific ways we shape our hands, where we place our hands, and how many hands to use among other factors). "Language" isn't a person, of course, so I wouldn't say virtue but another common characteristic among the three is they have a history connected with hearing people's attempt to have D/deaf and heard of hearing people to hear.

While, from a hearing perspective it is innocent because sound is the way we communicate the majority of us communicate so it's natural to help people who do not have that access to communication, to talk. Unfortunately, the history does not give credit for how I see the "other side" of the Deaf perspective.

But even though you, LovingHumanity, can say for example we are all humans, we all love, we all hate, we all do X, Y, and Z, the fact that hearing culture and Deaf culture (the link above) is so drastically different does not make the foundation of these two cultures based on one unity. In other words, of course, they are not identical. Love, hate, X,Y,Z is not what creates unity. If that be the case, then we can throw away what Christ taught and what the Buddha taught and go by the meaning behind their messages and call it a day.​

In my point of view, that's like saying "because we need everyone to be hearing (since everyone desires unity in this way), we shall try to help Deaf people here like us."

We should try to teach Pagans that Bahallauh wants them to know about the creator to be like us. We should tell Muhammad that Christ is cool even though he/christ (to mainstream christians) claim to be god. While The Buddha would have a field day if you told them that unity comes by putting his sins on someone else. He'd probably look at you funny, and say "what sins?" *coughs* those are illusions.​

Yesterday, I went to Gallaudet (University for Deaf, Hard of Hearing students, and those hearing studnets going into Deaf studies or interpretation) yesterday at their Undergraduate Open House. I plan to get my BA in ASL Interpretation there in hopefully a couple of years. So, throughout the open house, we learned about admission process, different school programs, and so forth. A lot of which I cannot take advantage because I am not deaf or hard of hearing.

Another experience is when I was "listening" to future students and present students ask and answer questions, one question was posed whether a hearing person can have an interpreter in some of the ASL classes.

The answer one woman gave was: They have to go to the disabilities office and ask for accommodations.

I am human. I have hands. I have eyes. I can sign. But if I wanted an interpreter, I would be considered having a disability (at a disadvantage) because I am not Deaf.

Same with trying to make unity or one voice of many educators of different time periods. Think of educator Buddha as hearing and educator Bahallauh as Deaf. Regardless of how much they share in humanity-well, both humans, both can love, both can communicate, and so forth, the simple fact that one is hearing and the other is Deaf breaks down those similarities​

and makes us respect people for their differences. My professor says is called "Deaf Space." I can extend that to Pagan space. Buddhist space. Christian Space.

Like the DIRs are good example. If Bahai sees the unity in all faiths regardless if their differences, then there'd be no need for a DIR because they are joined by the hips.

That's not the case. Unless you see pass the goal (say communication) and look at the attributes and values that make up that goal (sound or sign), there would always be a discord between one religious party from another.​

"So this spiritual life, monks, does not have gain, honor, renown for its benefit, or the attainment of moral discipline for its benefit, or the attainment of moral discipline for its benefit, or the attainment of concentration for its benefit, or knowledge and vision for its benefit. But it is the unshakable liberation of the mind that is the goal of this spiritual life, it's heartwood, and its end." MN 29 Mahasaropama Sutta (I will have to get the link later).

God-of-Abraham religion foundation is about the heart. Buddhism is about the Mind. There isn't anything metaphorical. Yes, many people in the GOA faiths when they get their heart straight with the creator, they think better. Many people who are Buddhist when they have a trained mind, they express more with their heart.

They overlap, they are different; and, because they are different, they cannot be in one unity. They have their own "space". Unity among diversity. Not through The Buddha's eyes. Not through Ra's eyes. Not through Bahallauh's eyes. Not through yours or my eyes.

Our hope is that everyone can have their space with people they relate to in community. But we can't do that through one person's eyes. That's why the view your saying and others do not match is because Christians, for example, know that Christ taught you cant have love and kindness without actual human sacrifice. Can a Bahai literally give someone up for human sacrifice or use someone else in order to be in unity with Christians or respect them for how they see love and their space while you are in yours.
​

That doesn't mean you have to tolerate each other. It just means there's no peace in a one-party system and no tolerance in the definition of peace.

The second station is that of distinction. They each are known by a different name, are characterized by a special attribute, fulfill a definite Mission but They are in reality expressions of one truth.

This kind of goes with the above. I didn't think I was going to write so much. The point, though, is pretty basic. Regardless the time period, name, and goal, the methods towards that goal define the goal itself. The Buddha taught that we save others from suffering by changing how we think. Christians see saving themselves (and tell others how to be saved) by giving themselves tn an other. The Bahallauh cannot speak for a Christian and for a Buddhist.

Each of these religions and religious people have their own "Deaf space." Bahaullauh is like a hearing person trying to make every Deaf person hear. While well meaning and well intentioned, unless you go into a Deaf environment and culture, how can you see pass the end of your nose (no pun and sarcasm intended).

So the Buddha and Baha'u'llah had different Missions and a different name and different attributes but They are both expressions of one truth.

One truth is not from the Bahaullah nor The Buddha. One truth has no bias. We have to respect people and religions for their differences. Yes, they may on the surface be looking for the same thing, but unless you can be Christian, Buddhist, Bahai, and Pagan at the same time, there isn't unity unless differences are acknowledged and respected as such. No cultural appropriation even in idea.

I cut the rest because I know it's just supporting your point.

.... next post

 

[Unveiled Artist]

Continued...

A different Mission for a different time but a needed one.

But They both aim to free man of His attachment to his self and attain a state of spiritual awareness that brings inner peace and contentment.

I can't speak for Bahaullah but that's true of The Buddha. Bahai, though, say that you acknowledge Christ, Muhammad, etc as educators. I stress Christ a lot because I know that more than Buddhism and it is a good point in the conversation. Why? Because if Bahai sees every educator having one truth, then speaking of christ would not be different than speaking of the buddha.

On that note, from a christ perspective, christ didn't speak of non attachment as The Buddha nad Bahaullah taught. It wasn't that he had a different approach. At least Buddhism and Bahai(?) are from India. But to unite all educators to one truth you have to unite their culture and truth is not limited or restricted to time period and audience.

So, in other words, you'd have to give an example where christ speaks about the sole purpose of his mission is to have people to get rid of their attachments.

Then you'd also have to give an example of where The Buddha's sole purpose of his mission had anything to do with a creator or one truth related to a creator that the Bahallauh believed in.

There you have it. That's why we can accept Buddha easily because we understand that He taught an expression of truth and reality and although it's not the exact same as what the other Educators taught it wasn't meant to be the same.

As long as that one truth has anything to do with a creator, it falls on a deaf buddhist's ears.

Much like the different notes make a beautiful song. They are all complimentary not in competition with each other.

This is making a deaf person hear because "we can all communicate we just do so in different ways." That's a step closer to unity but not quite.

Respecting someone's culture and religion is listening to two separate songs that overlap each other (same goal) but acknowledging that the songs "I want to be King" is different than "Be Prepared", although in the same Disney the Lion King and both are in a kid-friendly environment, one is talking about being king of the jungle and the other is talking about overthrowing the future king so he (scar) can be king. They are completely different. They are songs. They are jazzy.

But you can't take a hearing song and a Deaf song and put it together to put it into one accord. Goals are defined by their practice/values not the other way around. If the values don't match and one has a creator adn the other doesnt, there is no unity. There are two beautiful songs that have their own space. You can put them together on the same music rack but to distangle the songs and go by what Bahallauh says about their combination of such is like listening to a Deaf/Blind person tell me as a hearing person should know about Deaf culture. If you follow me?

In that sense we see Them as all Buddhas, all Christs, all Muhammads and Baha'u'llahs as They all in reality a different expression of the same truth.

We need to see them as all -b uddhas. All christs. But they need their own space. The Buddha is not The Christ. They are not Muhammad. They are also not Bahaullah.

However, Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam doesn't attempt to say all other "educators", prophets, bodhisattvas, buddhas are all in the same boat. They differientate themselves based on different practices and values rather than goals.

That is why you will read things like this being said about Buddha in Bahá'í Scripture....

"Buddha was the cause of the illumination of the world of humanity"

But you have to read it from the Buddhist eye not the Bahai eye.

 

[loverofhumanity]

Continued...



I can't speak for Bahaullah but that's true of The Buddha. Bahai, though, say that you acknowledge Christ, Muhammad, etc as educators. I stress Christ a lot because I know that more than Buddhism and it is a good point in the conversation. Why? Because if Bahai sees every educator having one truth, then speaking of christ would not be different than speaking of the buddha.

On that note, from a christ perspective, christ didn't speak of non attachment as The Buddha nad Bahaullah taught. It wasn't that he had a different approach. At least Buddhism and Bahai(?) are from India. But to unite all educators to one truth you have to unite their culture and truth is not limited or restricted to time period and audience.

So, in other words, you'd have to give an example where christ speaks about the sole purpose of his mission is to have people to get rid of their attachments.

Then you'd also have to give an example of where The Buddha's sole purpose of his mission had anything to do with a creator or one truth related to a creator that the Bahallauh believed in.



As long as that one truth has anything to do with a creator, it falls on a deaf buddhist's ears.


This is making a deaf person hear because "we can all communicate we just do so in different ways." That's a step closer to unity but not quite.

Respecting someone's culture and religion is listening to two separate songs that overlap each other (same goal) but acknowledging that the songs "I want to be King" is different than "Be Prepared", although in the same Disney the Lion King and both are in a kid-friendly environment, one is talking about being king of the jungle and the other is talking about overthrowing the future king so he (scar) can be king. They are completely different. They are songs. They are jazzy.

But you can't take a hearing song and a Deaf song and put it together to put it into one accord. Goals are defined by their practice/values not the other way around. If the values don't match and one has a creator adn the other doesnt, there is no unity. There are two beautiful songs that have their own space. You can put them together on the same music rack but to distangle the songs and go by what Bahallauh says about their combination of such is like listening to a Deaf/Blind person tell me as a hearing person should know about Deaf culture. If you follow me?



We need to see them as all -b uddhas. All christs. But they need their own space. The Buddha is not The Christ. They are not Muhammad. They are also not Bahaullah.

However, Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam doesn't attempt to say all other "educators", prophets, bodhisattvas, buddhas are all in the same boat. They differientate themselves based on different practices and values rather than goals.



But you have to read it from the Buddhist eye not the Bahai eye.

All these Educators and what They teach is really different expressions and aspects of one truth. Some Faiths focus more on the mind such as Buddhism, others on a pure heart such as Christianity and others on society such as Islam. We need society, minds and hearts to be developed. All these aspects of reality need to be developed so Teachers appeared for this purpose.

For Christians being virtuous and sinless are forms of detachment because in order not to sin one must obviously be detached. Forgiving ones enemies is detachment. Christ taught truth and so does Buddha. They were meant to have differing Missions so to judge Christ by Buddha is like pitting the different classes in a university against one another. We need kindergarten as much as university so Educators have appeared from time immemorial to help us progress. All the Teachers had a valid Mission for humanity's progress. All are complimentary. We need love and forgiveness as much as mindfulness and unity.

But Buddha taught everything declined in this world and that includes Dhamma which He said in time it would. So also we see Islam and Christianity and Hinduism in decline. Then religion is renewed and a new Christ or Buddha appears to renew the truth for that age.

Baha'u'llah clears up Their differences and unity by stating both apply. They are both different and the same.

"Each one of them is known by a different name, is characterized by a special attribute, fulfils a definite mission, and is entrusted with a particular Revelation. It is because of this difference in their station and mission that the words and utterances flowing from these Well Springs of Divine knowledge appear to diverge and differ.

Otherwise, in the eyes of them that are initiated into the mysteries of Divine wisdom, all their utterances are, in reality, but the expressions of one Truth. As most of the people have failed to appreciate those stations to which We have referred, they, therefore, feel perplexed and dismayed at the varying utterances pronounced by Manifestations that are essentially one and the same. -Baha'u'llah

 

[Bird123]

Is only one God,name and diferents dialects ,diferents points of view ,diferents atributs , and ideologias the absolute and universal true is not go to change with are simple human ideologia.

OK, this is how I see it. There is but one reality of God. This reality consists of unchangeable Facts. Next, it is up to each of us to discover the Facts. When all the Facts are not known, people insert Beliefs to fill the gaps of the missing pieces of Facts. Religions are formed through the diversity of Beliefs.

God gave everyone a different view to guaranty mankind a larger view than any one person could have. Perhaps if religions came together instead of fighting each other, more of the true facts they all have in common might be seen.

Alas, everybody want to rule the world. Everybody wants existence to their view instead of what actually is. In the discovery of the true Facts, we are our own worse enemy. Ego does get in the way of so much Learning.

 

[loverofhumanity]

Yeah. It gets overwhelming. Once you start with the basics and foundations of each religion and their founders and their religion views outsiders, you get a better perspective in whether its an actual unity of religions (peace on both sides with both sides agreeing ) or is it one side saying X and another saying Y.

I want to share a mini experience of why I feel so strongly about seeing multple religions in one whether its an eclectic pagan, a diverse welcoming UU, a SGI member yearning for everyone to receive happiness via Daimoku, or Bahai view that educators of the times are pointing to the same goal as wrong.

But I will share it as a separate post when Im on my laptop.

If you decide to get the books, print versions are the best. I use online for reference when I practiced but if I go back to practice, Id always have the physical books. I feel you gain more insight.

Love this!!

THE GREAT KING OF GLORY[ 1]. MAHÂ-SUDASSANA-SUTTA.

"19. 'Now when the wondrous Wheel, Ânanda, had gone forth conquering and to conquer o'er the whole earth to its very ocean boundary, it returned back again to the royal city of Kusâvatî and remained fixed on the open terrace in front of the entrance to the inner apartments of the Great King of Glory, as a glorious adornment to the inner apartments of the Great King of Glory.

Can you see the 'wheel, as a glorious adornment on the open terrace to the inner apartments of the Great King of Glory'??

https://bahai.bwc.org/pilgrimage/intro/entrance.html

If you study the Sutta it describes the exile of Baha'u'llah from place to place and how the wheel - the dhamma finally came to rest as an adornment on His Shrine. Fits the description of an open terrace as well as a glorious adornment to the inner shrine of Baha'u'llah, the Great King of Glory.

 

[The Emperor of Mankind]

The return of Christ? Maitreya Buddha? Lord of Hosts? Shah Bahram? Mahdi? Return of Krishna? I can can show you all the verses where these are prophesied.

I deliberately cut that quote short in order to avoid you taking this route because I'm not disputing those religions you have mentioned. Well, except Buddhism.

Shinto and almost every other Pagan religion out there doesn't have a saviour figure. Except the Druids with King Arthur; but even then that's not obligatory to be a Druid.

 

[loverofhumanity]

I deliberately cut that quote short in order to avoid you taking this route because I'm not disputing that those religions you have mentioned.

Shinto and almost every other Pagan religion out there doesn't have a saviour figure. Except the Druids with King Arthur; but even then that's not obligatory to be a Druid.

There are many good beliefs and not necessarily all believe in a savior. Everyone has some truth in them and science as well teaches truth so truth is not monopolized by religions which believe in a savior.

Truth is everywhere.

 

[The Emperor of Mankind]

There are many good beliefs and not necessarily all believe in a savior. Everyone has some truth in them and science as well teaches truth so truth is not monopolized by religions which believe in a savior.

Truth is everywhere.

See? How hard was it to say that?

 

[loverofhumanity]

See? How hard was it to say that?

I've always believed that truth is everywhere not just in the Baha'i Faith or even religion. Atheists have so much truth in them and often can use their reason and logic better than religious people.

 

[The Emperor of Mankind]

I've always believed that truth is everywhere not just in the Baha'i Faith or even religion. Atheists have so much truth in them and often can use their reason and logic better than religious people.

Okay, well I hope you can see why some people might get fooled into thinking you only consider monotheistic belief systems to be religions since you use the word 'religion' pretty much exclusively in relation to these.

 

[loverofhumanity]

Okay, well I hope you can see why some people might get fooled into thinking you only consider monotheistic belief systems to be religions since you use the word 'religion' pretty much exclusively in relation to these.

We recognize the monotheistic religions as the major religions which we believe in. But just because a religion or belief system doesn't believe in God doesn't mean there is no truth in it.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

We recognize the monotheistic religions as the major religions which we believe in. But just because a religion or belief system doesn't believe in God doesn't mean there is no truth in it.

To incorporate all religions and wordviews, how do you define truth?

Try to make it specific. For example, instead of saying christ and The Buddha believe in love and unity, what are their specific core teachings that make the love christ experience from his father the same as the love The Buddha expressed from himelf?

What differientiates Bahai from other religions given they all share the same truth? If they dont, which religions have a different truth Bahai do not accept as The Truth?

If god is one Truth in Bahai as with other monotheistic religions, give an specific example of The Buddha mentioning god (a supreme being, force, entity, and/or spirit held at higher standards than humans) for his truth.

It cant be love, compassion, and other abstract goals. Even animals express how we define love for their cubs and young.

Truth doesnt vary by time period. Christ truth didnt change within 2,000 years. If he is an educator his truth about god should be the same truth Bahaulah express.

If it is, give a specific teaching from both bible and Bahuallah that express that christ believes in what Bahaulah taught.

Bahai and Buddhism are both eastern origined faiths so they will overlap. What about Buddhist teachings specifically makes it differ than Bahaullauh to the effect it is respected as its own truth not a reflection of one truth defined by someone who he doesnt know and didnt exist yet?

I say specific examplesnlike practices and core tenants because these things make up the goals. Love etc are the result. Bahai may agree on the result and share some practices (since were not aliens), but no religion should be part of another just because they overlap in goals and results.

It should be respected for its own truth and heir truth should not be defined by Bahaullah or any other person. Thats like a christian defining a Jew's truth because they both have the same creator. Yes, they have the same results, goals, and some shared history, but the very fact jesus exists is specfic enough to let me know judaism has its own "deaf space" and christianity their hearing space.

Same thing with Bahauallah. If Bahaullah was hearing and youre saying there are truth in all religious (all Deaf) in each religion, by whose criteria are you going by?

Love can be expressed by both hearing snd Deaf cultures since we are not aliens. If hearing Bahauallah goes into Deaf space and if his values is the same as Deaf, by what means can he commuicate that Deaf values are defined by hearing values (The Buddhas values are defined by Bahuallah values) by using the same meams of communication Deaf people use and without incorporaring hearing values (for example, the need for sound to listen to music) into theirs?

Is there a way to say we are not JUST different?

And my truth IS NOT their truth regardless of overlaping goals?

If Bahaullah went deaf (not Deaf) later in life and he had no exposure to Deaf culture and values, by what criteria would you call him Deaf (memher of Deaf community)?

If he shares the same values as Deaf individuals (no aliens) but never became part of the community, by what means is he considered Deaf?

Clue: It has nothing to do with the inability to hear

 

[loverofhumanity]

Truth is progressively revealed to humanity as we develop capacity to learn more truth. There is never a point where we know everything. Moses taught the people of that time what they were capable of understanding then Buddha, Christ, Muhammad and Baha'u'llah and so on. Like a school we progress with each Teacher and when we have progressed another Teacher appears to guide us further.

We accumulate what we learn in kindergarten to primary school, high school and university. They were all necessary stages in our education that we could not do without and they were all complimentary not in conflict. It is like that with all the Teachers. Their Mission and Teachings differ according to our capacity.

All the religions are linked like classes in a school but with different Teachers teaching us more and more advanced subject as we grow. They are not separate processes but one process.

So what we learn from Krishna and Buddha is accumulative and then Moses, Christ, Muhammad and Baha'u'llah when we learn from all of them we have knowledge and wisdom of thousands of years to draw upon.

The problem is people all see their Teacher as unique and fail to learn from the others so humanity ends up being divided and spiritually ignorant as it did not learn from all the Teachers. Imagine if you only went to kindergarten and then said ' I don't need to learn anymore'.

Baha'u'llah teaches that there is only one religion and it changes from time to time with a new Teacher and Teachings. Like we have the seed then shoot and branches then leaves, flower and fruit.

If you cut up the seed will you find the tree and fruit? But people have cut up all the religions into pieces and now there is no peace or happiness in the world which would have been the fruit if they had allowed the seed to grow as it should have.

Our religion is all religions and our truth is to believe in all truth not just the parts we like or fancy.

Like a school you are not going to be taught advanced science in kindergarten so too all religions will not teach the same as truth covers many topics not just the mind but the heart and community as well.

So I am as much Buddhist as any devout Buddhist. I am a Christian and Muslim and Hindu as well. You can be a father and a son and an uncle and cousin. Worldly titles are unimportant but the worldly interpret everything even truth in worldly terms.

The world of names is an illusion not reality but people get caught up with names and outward forms misunderstanding that reality is one and undivided no matter what name you give it.

Christians experience the same spiritual experiences as Buddhists do but they know it by a different name. So do Hindus and Muslims and Baha'is all experience the same mystical feeling that Buddhists do. Just because they call it by a different name doesn't mean anything, it's all one reality. Truth is Universal not exclusively belonging to any Teacher.

All religions meditate, chant, recite and pray. It is all the same truth and reality just expressed differently.

All religions have discovered the same mystic reality call it heaven, nirvana, paradise, selflessness so we are all in reality one but are too close to the trees to see the forest.

The differences you speak of are but an illusion as Buddha would say. Truth is in all religions. That is why we believe in them all.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

All these Educators and what They teach is really different expressions and aspects of one truth

No they don't. The expressions and aspects are their practices and values that are distinctively different and not compatible with each other.

Christ did teach compassion through sacrifice. Yes, people see sacrifice in different ways. However, the very point that Christ sees literal sacrifice as the means come to his father (not just by message but his actual literal sacrifice), it makes it extremely different than what The Buddha meant by sacrifice. The Buddha saw sacrifice as getting rid of attachment without the need of human suffering. Christ said we needed suffering in order to be resurrected. The Buddha says you cannot be resurrected if you are suffering. They had the same goals. We can call it sacrifice or just getting rid of the old and being a new person. However, because of the very fact that their methods are different, so are their experiences, and as a result, so our their goals. Time period, audience, and language does not change that each religion has their own "Deaf Space" and to respect that space, including Bahai space, is the key to peace not to see truth in all.

That's making everyone hearing. It's just, well, wrong.

Some Faiths focus more on the mind such as Buddhism, others on a pure heart such as Christianity and others on society such as Islam. We need society, minds and hearts to be developed. All these aspects of reality need to be developed so Teachers appeared for this purpose.

Because they are different mind, heart, and society, they need their own space. They are not similar just because they are all educators. They have their own methods to achieve their goals. Their methods contradict each other; and, thus, their goals.

For Christians being virtuous and sinless are forms of detachment because in order not to sin one must obviously be detached. Forgiving ones enemies is detachment. Christ taught truth and so does Buddha.

Christ did not teach unattached oneself to sin one must, for example, practice forgiveness. Most religions practice some form of forgiveness.

The foundation of christ teachings is not from forgiveness of sins. It's from Jesus life, death, and resurrection. It's from giving yourself to Christ, dying like christ, and resurrecting like christ. The Buddha didn't teach to die in order to be live. The way he taught forgiveness is totally different than Christ. The goals (forgiveness) being the same between the two does not change that the the Truth/which is the method of getting to those goals are completely different.

They need their own space. Just because Deaf and hearing can listen to the same song, dance the same way, and sign the same way, and interpret our dances in the same manner, the very fact I am not Deaf and they are not Hearing, our values and experiences are completely different.

Those values and experiences make up how we interpret music, beliefs, and even how we dance. Since they are different, there is no "shared by the hip" because we both love music. I have to respect their space.

Same as religion. Bahaullah has to respect the other religious space. His interpretation of other religions holds no barring because he needs to see it as a Buddhist, as a Christian, as a Muslim, as a Pagan. He needs to be these different religions at the same time to claim they have anything to do with each other at its foundation. Just because I went into a Deaf environment doesn't automatically make me Deaf in some way. Just because I read about Deaf culture doesn't make me Deaf. Even if I lossed my hearing today and never regained it, that doesn't make me Deaf.

Same as religion. Just because Bahaullauh, if he did, went to X said country, doesn't mean he is part of that country's culture, lifestyle, way f life that makes up their teachings. He isn't Catholic. He isn't Jewish. He isn't Druid. He isn't Hindu. Sutras and scripture can only tell you so much. Practice and being part of that religion as a whole is completely different.

Since it is different, Bahuallah's interpretation of every religion being of one truth is, in my opinion, false. Not just with the Deaf/hearing experiences but just practicing Buddhism, Catholicism, and Witchcraft in my given years lets me understand where I stand in respect to other religions.

All are complimentary. We need love and forgiveness as much as mindfulness and unity.

These are goals. Since the methods and culture around these goals are drastically different, they are not complimentary. Each religion needs their own space. Colonization still happens today undercover and I hate to see it in other religions even indirectly as I do so heavily in Christianity.

Baha'u'llah clears up Their differences and unity by stating both apply. They are both different and the same.

Bahaullah cannot clear up anything because he is not Buddhist, Pagan, Christian, or Muslim. He has his own space just as these religions have their own. They are different. To have peace, you have to respect people for their differences not just their similarities. No one-party system. Taste the rainbow!​

"Each one of them is known by a different name, is characterized by a special attribute, fulfils a definite mission, and is entrusted with a particular Revelation. It is because of this difference in their station and mission that the words and utterances flowing from these Well Springs of Divine knowledge appear to diverge and differ.

Unity among diversity doesn't mean everyone shares the same truth. It means respect each person for their truth because there is no one truth if we went according to each religion not Bahaullah's point of view of them.

For example, there is no divine in Buddhism. The names differ, yes, but there is no change of heart in Buddhism as the core teaching but the mind needs to change before the heart. In Christianity, the heart needs to change before the mind. They are not one and the same. Bahaullauh is trying to make everyone believe the same thing by different name. That's making Deaf people here. It's completely inappropriate and disrespectful to all the other religions who disagree with him. Why can't he respect their disagreements given they know more about their own religion then he does?

Otherwise, in the eyes of them that are initiated into the mysteries of Divine wisdom, all their utterances are, in reality, but the expressions of one Truth. As most of the people have failed to appreciate those stations to which We have referred, they, therefore, feel perplexed and dismayed at the varying utterances pronounced by Manifestations that are essentially one and the same. -Baha'u'llah

They are not. Ask a Christian if christ is a manifestation of one truth that's shared by Baha'u'llah. If he isn't an eclectic or mystic christian, he'd probably disagree with you. Ask them if the words of Baha'u'llah has any credibility in their truth. Remember, we're going off of their eyes not your own and not Bahaullah's.

If you study the Sutta it describes the exile of Baha'u'llah from place to place and how the wheel - the dhamma finally came to rest as an adornment on His Shrine. Fits the description of an open terrace as well as a glorious adornment to the inner shrine of Baha'u'llah, the Great King of Glory.

Nichiren Shonin experienced exile. Nichiren is a buddhist monk that got sent to prison because he went against the Japanese government and religious power (in his letters) by telling them their teachings are wrong. In Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism, he is seen as a reincarnation of the original Buddha. In Nichiren's view, he calls himself a votary of The Buddha Dharma (The Lotus Sutra, in his case). He does acknowledge the truths of other Dharma text but he said the Lotus overrides those with one single truth. He almost got his head cut off because of this.

Just because it is written that he says this does not make it true. Nichiren did not practice nor claim to be a Theravada observant Buddhist. He didn't practice Zen. He didn't practice, I don't know, ... anyway.. he only went and practice Ten Tai Buddhism and found his own enlightenment (not Enlightenment) throughh Diamoku.

He does the same thing Bahaullah is doing. Except for in Shonin's case, he literally called Zen teachings wrong. He said, like you, they are appropriate for their time and he acknowledge they have their own space and no barring in the teachings in The Lotus. He didn't mish mash the two. He gave them their space and time and he practiced and taught according to our space and time.

Bahaullah has to respect each person's right and space that their truth has no single lining with other people's truths. Even Christians can't find unity among themselves and they believe in the same christ and the same father.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

@loverofhumanity

The only way to speak about truth is to not refer to the teachings of Bahaullah. Express truth without any reference to one religion. That's where you're find your peace among diversity.

 

[loverofhumanity]

There's Mettyya which Buddha prophesied Who was to come and teach dhamma. It's part of Buddhist tradition and scripture.

Baha'u'llah is linked to Buddhism because it prophecies Him.

 

[loverofhumanity]

@loverofhumanity

The only way to speak about truth is to not refer to the teachings of Bahaullah. Express truth without any reference to one religion. That's where you're find your peace among diversity.

One cannot divorce truth from the Buddhas for They are truth itself. By speaking about the teachings of Buddha or Baha'u'llah we are revering the truth. But I'm not sure what you mean. Are you saying not to mention the name of Buddha too?

 

[Unveiled Artist]

One cannot divorce truth from the Buddhas for They are truth itself. By speaking about the teachings of Buddha or Baha'u'llah we are revering the truth. But I'm not sure what you mean. Are you saying not to mention the name of Buddha too?

Yep. For example, Christians don't believe in The Buddha. So, even though I know what The Buddha says is truth, in order to have peace among diversity, I have to give them their space as I have mine. I can't speak for them as a whole just from my experiences. From my experiences, I know that Christ is not just an educator just as The Buddha. From their experiences I know The Law of The Buddha is a lie.

Like with Deaf culture I mentioned. I can't defined Deaf culture from a hearing perspective. I have to use their terminology, their language, and their culture to understand who the Deaf community is as a whole.

It's the same with religions. Unless you are Catholic, Buddhist, Muslim, Pagan, etc, reading sacred texts will only go so far. Without the actual experience of how these faiths differ even in their underlining goals and truth, then we can claim through Christ point of view, Bahaullauh, Muhamamd, all we want, it doesnt mean anything as a whole.