A close look at the world’s sacred traditions reveals a common thread of unity running throughout their core. This common thread is most evident in the Golden Rule, a universal expression at the heart of all spiritual truth, the most basic human value, and a basis for the principle of interconnectedness. It is known, understood, and accepted worldwide as an essential ethical and moral injunction.
But only as we look at its various expressions chronologically does it become evident that it is even about justice. Among the first expressions were: from the Hindu Tradition, “This is the sum of duty: do naught unto others which would cause you pain if done to you;” and, from the Jewish Faith, “What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor: that is the whole of the Torah; all the rest of it is commentary.”
Later expressions were, from the Buddhist tradition, “Hurt not others in ways you yourself would find hurtful;” from the Christian faith, “In everything do to others as you would have them do to you;” and, from the faith of Islam, “Not one of you is a believer until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.”
These are all core spiritual, ethical, and moral injunctions, but not until the most recent Revelation, from the Baha’i faith, is it clear what the real context of the Golden Rule is: “If thine eyes be turned towards justice, choose thou for thy neighbor that which thou choosest for thyself.”
The Golden Rule is a universally shared spiritual principle that expresses the deepest aspirations of humanity. The Hindu sage Vyasa saw it as “the sum of all true righteousness,” Rabbi Hillel saw it as “the whole of the Torah,” Buddha also saw it as “the sum total of all righteousness,” Confucius identified it as “the one principle upon which one’s whole life may proceed.”
Jesus saw the Golden Rule as “the law,” and Mohammed described it as “the noblest expression of religion.”
But it is not specifically identified as the foundation for a principle of justice until Baha’u’llah’s Revelation, in the mid-nineteenth century.
The Golden Rule finds its extension in, and fulfillment through, the love ethic, or the standard of unconditional love.
From the Judeo-Christian tradition we have, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself,” and from the Hindu tradition, “Vanquish an angry man by gentleness; and overcome the evil man by goodness.”
From the Buddhist tradition there is, “Full of love for all things in the world, practicing virtue in order to benefit others, this man alone is happy,” and from the faith of Islam, “Determine that if people do you good, you will do good to them; and if they oppress you, you will not oppress them.”
The Baha’i writings are very clear on the primacy of justice: “O Son of Spirit! The best beloved of all things in My sight is justice; turn not away therefrom if thou desirest Me, and neglect it not that I may confide in thee. By its aid thou shalt see with thine own eyes and not through the eyes of others… Verily justice is My gift to thee and the sign of My loving-kindness. Set it then before thine eyes.”
Justice is the foundation of the Golden Rule, as well as of a unified reality. Our understanding of justice as a universal spiritual principle evolves as social interactions become more and more complex, and with the progressive release of spiritual energies in each age. What was once essential on the personal level is now essential on the global level.
Global justice – a universal standard of equity and fairness implying no preferential treatment and ultimate regard for the welfare of humanity as a single community – is a prerequisite for the realization of the promise of world peace.
Justice is the cornerstone of an ever-advancing civilization; it is the one means capable of creating global harmony. As understood by the world’s sacred traditions, justice is the embodiment of divine order on earth.
Since antiquity, justice has balanced the scales of truth and fairness. Now, the fate of humanity in the 21st century depends upon the twin forces of love and justice bringing about equitable and just relationships on all levels. A gift from the Creator, justice is the primary tool with which we can work to fulfill our purpose on Earth. The practice of justice is the sign of compassion in action.
We live in an age of social justice on the largest scale imaginable. Justice is a powerful force for social equality, meant to bring about harmony and unity. Yet global justice is unattainable without the recognition of the oneness of humanity.
Ultimately, the full benefits of social justice will not be realized until justice is seen as a human capacity housed within the human soul, a divine gift meant to be passed on to others. Justice and equity are the twin pillars that protect the well being of the peoples of the world. Social justice, fair-mindedness, compassion, generosity, consideration for others, and loving-kindness are divine attributes and qualities, part of our common spiritual heritage.
Justice opens hearts, reveals secrets of the soul, prepares the way for unity, and leads to the well being of humanity. Justice is the equalizer in all human affairs; it can moderate the extremes of wealth and poverty, create equality between women and men, and remove the hurdles of national rivalries, racial prejudice, religious strife, and class distinctions.
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