The Golden Rule of Reciprocity
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Buddha at Zojoji. Photo: d'n'c/flickr.com.
Overview:
The Silk Roads encompassed a diversity of cultures embracing numerous religions and worldviews from Venice, Italy to Heian, Japan. Between these two ends, belief systems that are represented are Buddhism, Confucianism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Shinto, and Daoism. During the height of the Silk Road trades in the 7th century, Islam, Buddhism, and Nestorian Christianity were the most important.
Objectives:
• Students will review, compare and contrast The Golden Rule of Reciprocity--from different religious teachings
• Students will analyze primary text of sacred and philosophical writings
• Students will recognize the rich diversity of belief systems along the Silk Roads--and from around the world today
Time:
One class period
Age Group:
Elementary School
Materials:
Cut 8 1/2” x 11” construction paper lengthwise for bumper sticker strips (one per student),
crayons, markers
Procedures:
• For young children, read the aloud the different to the students:
Whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them.
Christianity. Matthew 7.12
Not one of you is a believer until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.
Islam. Forty Hadith of an-Nawawi 13
Try your best to treat others as you would wish to be treated yourself, and you will find that this is the shortest way to benevolence.
Confucianism. Mencius VII A 4
One should not behave towards others in a way which is disagreeable to oneself. This is the essence of morality. All other activities are due to selfish desire.
Hinduism. Mahabharata, Anusasana Parva 113.8
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Judaism and Christianity. Leviticus 19.18
For a state that is not pleasant or delightful to me must also be to him also; and a state that is not pleasing or delightful tome, how could I inflict that upon another?
Buddhism. Samyutta Nikaya v.353
• Ask children what idea all of the quotes have in common? Emphasis that this is a universal moral theme for the belief systems on the Silk Roads and among religions in general.
• Ask students to summarize the idea of The Golden Rule in a single statement. Have students make a bumper sticker that includes their brief statement and an illustration of what this means. Illustrations may include ways that people can have a positive influence on those around them. Using large print and bold colors will ensure that the bumper stickers are easily read from afar.
• Post the finished products around the room when completed.
Extensions:
Have students choose one of the quotations as the basis of a journal reflection.
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