Something I find myself ruminating about from time to time is the question whether there are universal precepts, a moral code applicable to all human beings at all times. (What can I say? Some people are interested in Baseball statistics, others follow train schedules. Me, I’m into spiritual questions…)
Over my years of thinking about this, I’ve found two codes that I think come very close to being universal.
I’ve long been fascinated by the Noahide code, a “universalist” list of precepts derived from the Hebrew Scriptures. It suggests the answer to my question is yes, and there are seven such precepts: 1) Belief in God, 2) Respect and Praising the Divine, 3) Respecting human life, 4) Respecting one’s family, 5) Respecting the rights of others, 6) Work for justice, and 7) Respect for animals. These precepts are also formulated as 1) Do not worship idols, 2) Do not blaspheme, 3) Do not commit murder, 4) Do not be sexually immoral, 5) Do not steal, 6) Pursue Justice and 7) Do not be cruel to animals.
The Lubavitcheer Hasids are particularly into advertising the Noahide Code.
I find these interesting, and in part compelling, but not completely so…
I’m much more taken with the Five Precepts of Buddhism, the precepts attributed to the Buddha and taken by lay people.
1) Do not kill, 2) Do not lie, 3) Do not steal, 4) Do not misuse sex and 5) Do not become intoxicated. These can also be formulated as 2) Foster life, 2) Speak truthfully, 3) Respect boundaries and others, 4) Respect your body and other’s bodies and 5) Remain clear and open.
I find it intriguing where these precepts overlap and where they do not.
Both have prohibitions about killing (although for one it appears to be more narrowly a prohibition of unlawful killing of human beings and for the other it is rather more double-bind absolute no killing), about stealing and about sex. The Noahide code upholds relationship with a creator (devoting two precepts to this) and calls for justice and kindness to animals. The Buddhist code upholds clarity of mind.
I’m inclined to a naturalistic view of the human mind. I suspect we’re hard wired, to use a metaphor, to find order. It is our great strength and it is a looming shadow. This ability to discern order gives us a significant advantage in survival. But we also appear to so need order that if we don’t find it we will manufacture it.
While I believe there are behaviors that command universal adherence, they’re going to be very general and any articulation is going to be limited by the shadows of our culture and prejudices. And that various situations will arise in which we may have to violate one precept to uphold another, but only rarely are we going to have a clear idea which is the more important at that moment…
Well, for this blog, just holding something up, I’ve visited in the past, and no doubt will visit again.
Grist for the spiritual mill…
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