Prayer and Scriptural Foundations of Faith

INTRODUCTION

THE TWIN VERSES

"All that we are is the result of what we have thought;
It is founded on our thoughts; it is made up of our thoughts.

If a man speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain follows him
as the wheel follows the foot of the ox that draws the carriage.
...If a man speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness follows him
like a shadow that never leaves...

"He abused me, he beat me, he defeated me, he robbed me"- 
In those whose harbor such thoughts hatred will never cease.
...In those who do not harbor such thoughts, hatred will cease.
For hatred does not cease by hatred at any time, 
Hatred ceases by Love- this is an old rule."
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THE FOOL

"Long is the night to him who is awake;
Long is the mile to him who is tired;
Long is life to the foolish who do not know the true LAW.
If a traveler does not meet with one who is his better, or his equal,
let him keep to his solitary journey;
there is no companionship with a fool.

"This son belongs to me, this wealth belongs to me."-
with such thoughts is a fool tormented.
He himself does not belong to himself;
how much less sons and wealth.
A fool who knows his foolishness is wise at least so far.
But a fool who thinks he is wise,
he is called a fool indeed...
Fools of poor understanding have themselves for their greatest enemies,
for they do evil deeds that bear bitter fruits...

An evil deed, like newly drawn milk, does not turn suddenly;
smoldering like a fire covered by ashes, it follows the fool.
And when the evil deed, after it becomes known,
turns into sorrow for the fool, then it destroys his bright lot,
nay it cleaves his head..."

THE WISE MAN

"If you see a Man who shows you what is to be avoided,
who administers reproofs, and is intelligent, 
follow that man as you would one who tells of hidden treasures;
It will be better not worse, for him who follows him...
Do not have evil-doers for friends, do not have low people for friends:
Have virtuous people for friends, have for friends the best of men...
Well-makers lead the water wherever they like;
fletchers bend the arrow; carpenters bend a log of wood; 
wise people fashion themselves...
Wise people after they have listened to the laws,
become serene, like a deep, smooth and still lake...
Those whose mind is well grounded in the seven elements of knowledge,
who without clinging to anything, rejoice in freedom from attachment,
whose appetites have been conquered, and are full of light,
they are happy even in this world."

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GOSPEL OF JOHN

"In the beginning was the Word, 
and the Word was with God, 
and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.
All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe.
He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.
He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.
He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, 
to those who believe in His name." (John 1:1-12)

GOSPEL OF MATTHEW

"Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 
Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. 
Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. 
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. 
Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. 
Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. 
Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. 
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, 
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.'" (Mat 5:2-10.)

"But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, 
they gathered together. Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question,
testing Him, and saying, 'Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?' 
Jesus said to him, 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, 
with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. 
And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' 
On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." (Mat 22:34-40)

GOSPEL OF LUKE

"But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, 
do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and 
pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, 
offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, 
do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks of you. 
And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. 
And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. 
But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? 
For even sinners love those who love them.
And if you do good to those who do good to you, 
what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 
And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, 
what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. 
But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; 
and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. 
For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 
Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. 
Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. 
Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, 
pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom.
For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." (Luke 6:27-38)

SRIMAD-BHAGAVAD-GITA

"The Blessed Lord [Krishna] said [to his Disciple Arjuna]:

1. Oh son of Kunti [Arjuna's mother], this body is called Kshetra (field), 
the wise call the knower of it as Kshetrajna (knower of the field).
2. O descendant of Bharata [King] know Me to be Kshetrajna (conscious Soul)
in all Kshetras (bodies). To My mind, the knowledge of Kshetra (body) and
Kshetrajna (Soul) is the true knowledge.
12. I shall declare now that which is to be known, by knowing which one attains immortality. 
The Supreme Brahman is beginingless;
It is said to be neither Sat (existence) nor Asat (non-existence).
13. With hands and feet everywhere, with eyes, heads, and mouths 
everywhere and with ears everywhere in the universe, That alone exists enveloping all.
14. It shines through the functions of all the senses; and yet It is without senses; 
unattached, yet it sustains all; devoid of Guanas (qualities), 
yet It is the experience of Guanas.
15. It exists within and without all beings; It is unmoving as well as moving, 
incomprehensible because of its subtlety; It is far and also near.
16. Indivisible, yet It exists as if divided in beings; It is to be known as the Sustained of beings; 
it destroys and also generates.
17. It is the Light of lights and is said to be beyond darkness. 
It is knowledge, the One to be known, and the Goal of knowledge, dwelling in the hearts of all.
27. The Supreme Lord [Brahma] abides in all beings equally; (He is) undying in the dying:
He who sees thus sees truly.
28 Seeing the same Lord existing everywhere equally, 
he does not hurt Self by the self and thus attains the highest goal."

THE HOLY QUORAN

"Look at Allah's Creation: contemplate
its unity of Design and benevolence
of Purpose. Death must come to all,
But life and faith are not objects of ridicule.
Truth will outlast all mockery: ‘tis Allah
Who calls, because He cares for you.
And on His Judgement Seat will weigh
Each act, each thought, each motive, great
or small, with perfect justice. Come
Ye all, reject not His blessed Message."
(Surah 21, Al Anbiya: 39-50, C-148)

"And make not Allah's (name) an excuse
In your oaths against doing good, or acting rightly,
Or making peace between persons;
For Allah is One who heareth and knoweth all things.

Allah will not call you to account for thoughtlessness
In your Oaths, But for the intention in your hearts,
And He is oft forgiving, most Forbearing."
(Surah 2, Al Baqarah: 224-225)

"Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, 
Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.
He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, 
Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. 
The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away. 
Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the 
congregation of the righteous. For the LORD knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the ungodly shall perish. Why do the nations rage, 
And the people plot a vain thing? 
The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together,
Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying,
"Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us." 
He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The LORD shall hold them in derision. 
Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, And distress them in His deep displeasure:
"Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion."
"I will declare the decree: The LORD has said to Me, 
'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You." (Psa 1:1-6, 2-7)

"The heavens declare the glory of God; 
And the firmament shows His handiwork.
Day unto day utters speech, 
And night unto night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard.
Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world. 
In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun, Which is like a bridegroom 
coming out of his chamber, And rejoices like a strong man to run its race.
Its rising is from one end of heaven, And its circuit to the other end; 
And there is nothing hidden from its heat.
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; 
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; 
The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; 
The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; 
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them 
Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward.
Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults.
Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; 
Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, 
And I shall be innocent of great transgression.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart 
Be acceptable in Your sight, 
O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer." (Psa 19:1-14)

XIV. Prehistoric Origins

"Looked at, but can not be seen-
That is called the invisible (yi).
Listened to but can not be heard-
That is called the inaudible (hsi).
Grasped at but can not be touched,
That is called the intangible (wei).
All three elude our inquiries
And Hence blend and become One.
Not by its rising is there light,
Not by its sinking is there darkness.
Unceasing, continuous,
It can not be defined
And reverts again to the realm of nothingness.

That is why it is called the Form of the Formless,
The Image of Nothingness.
That is why it is called the Elusive:
Meet it and you do not see its face;
Follow it and you do not see its back.

He who holds fast to the Tao of old
In order to manage the affairs of the Now
Is able to know the Primeval Beginnings
Which are the continuity of Tao."

VIII. WATER

"The best of men is like water;
Water benefits all things
And does not compete with them.
It dwells in (the lowly) places that all disdain,~
Wherein it comes near the Tao.

In his dwelling, (the Sage) loves the (lowly) earth;
In his heart, he loves what is profound;
In his relations with others, he loves kindness;
In his words, he loves sincerity;
In government, he loves peace;
In business affairs, he loves ability;
In his actions, he loves choosing the right time.
It is because he does not contend
That he is without reproach."

This page updated on May 16, 2004