Atonement

for Virtual Universal Worship (October 23, 2005)

Hinduism: Khândogya Upanishad: 3 Khanda

“Let a man meditate on the udgîtha (Om) as he who sends warmth (the sun in the sky). When the sun rises it sings as Udgâtri for the sake of all creatures. When it rises it destroys the fear of darkness. He who knows this, is able to destroy the fear of darkness (ignorance).”

Buddhism: Shantideva: The Bodhicaryavatara (Bodhsattva’s Vow)

“For the sake of accomplishing the welfare of all sentient beings, I freely give up my body, enjoyments, and all my virtues of the three times.

Surrendering everything is Nirvana, and my mind seeks Nirvana. If I must surrender everything, it is better that I give it to sentient beings.

For the sake of all beings I have made this body pleasure less. Let them continually beat it, revile it, and cover it with filth.

Let them play with my body. Let them laugh at it and ridicule it. What does it matter to me? I have given my body to them.

Let them have me perform deeds that are conductive to their happiness. Whoever resorts to me, may it never be in vain.

For those who have resorted to me and have an angry or unkind thought, may even that always become the cause for their accomplishing every goal.”

Zoroastrianism: Zend Avesta: Yasna 19

“And the more bountiful of the two Spirits (Ahura) declared to me (Zarathushtra) the entire 
creation of the pure, that which exists at present, that which is in the course of emerging into 
existence, and that which shall be, with reference to the performance and realization 'of the 
actions of a life devoted to Mazda.' 
 
And this word is the most emphatic of the words which have ever been pronounced, or which are now spoken, or which shall be spoken in future; for (the eminence of) this utterance is a thing of such a nature, that if all the corporeal and living world should learn it, and learning should hold fast by it, they would be redeemed from their mortality!”

Judaism: Torah-Leviticus 5: 17-18

“ And if any one sin, and do any of the things which the Lord hath commanded not to be done, though he know it not, yet is he guilty, and shall bear his iniquity.

And he shall bring a ram without blemish out of the flock, according to thy valuation, for a guilt-offering, unto the priest; and the priest shall make atonement for him concerning the error which he committed, though he knew it not, and he shall be forgiven.”

Christianity: Gospel of John 21: 14-15

“This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead. So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.”

Islam: Qur’an-Sura 5: 49-50

“And this (He commands): Judge thou between them by what God hath revealed, and follow not their vain desires, but beware of them lest they beguile thee from any of that (teaching) which God hath sent down to thee.

And if they turn away, be assured that for some of their crime it is God's purpose to punish them. And truly most men are rebellious. Do they then seek after a judgment of (the days of) ignorance?

But who, for a people whose faith is assured, can give better judgment than God?”