Rev. Sol Kalu

Submitted by Rev. Sol Kalu

Do unto others what you want others to do unto you; don’t do unto others what you don’t want others to do unto you.

Most of us are very familiar with this saying which is commonly called the Golden Rule, expressed in both positive and negative ways. It seems very simple and easy to follow and the Golden Rule is perhaps a moral guideline that is universal in that it can be found in the teachings of most of the world’s major religions. Yet, in practice, it is also one of the most ignored or violated by even those who profess moral piety.

The Golden Rule, if followed strictly, is a useful way to promote peace and harmony among people, but, blinded by greed, anger and ignorance, i.e. the 3 poisons in Buddhism, the Golden Rule for a lot of people, is merely something that is good on paper but not in actual practice. There are those who do not give a second thought about doing or talking about harmful things to others yet complain the loudest and resort to abusive actions when the very same deeds they have been doing are directed by others towards them.

It is wise to always remember that before we even try to attempt to wipe the dirt off someone, we should try to wipe our own dirt first. People will always notice the change in another person’s attitude towards them. But they will never notice it’s their behavior which made that other person change.