The Bible, to many, including myself, is a major source of truth.  The Old Testament is revered by three major religions.  I believe that its truth is no less valid today than it was thousands of years ago.

While some people feel that there is no such thing as Absolute Truth, that truth moves on, is created and changed, the original beliefs of Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and Judeo-Christianity (the faiths that Buddha,  Jesus, and Gandhi lived) disagree with these ideas and deal in Absolute Truth.1

Much of reality seems relative, but there is also absoluteness.  Not only do I believe that absolute truth exists, but I believe that it is tesitified to by all the major religions, and is One and the same.  Each religion has its uniquenesses.  For instance, it is true that only Christianity focuses on Jesus the person.   But I believe the original focus of all was the same as His.  Would He then deny the true believers of other faiths?  I think not ... no more than Buddha nor Gandhi would deny the true Christian.

Many people focus on the persons ... on the individual bodies of their holy people, but there is something greater than personalities here and so Jesus said, "Where the body is, there the vultures will gather"2.  People tend to jump on bandwagons, to wave flags, fight, hurt and sometimes even kill each other for the sake of that which they claim is dear.  If only they knew the essence of that which they claim, I don't think they would do these things.

What is this Truth?  I think it's right in front of  us, if we would but look.  And as we look, it's amazing  how many come to the same conclusion. We quote the Golden Rule ....................... and we're right!!!   So that's it!  That's all you have to know!  If it were only that simple.  To know the words, and to live the Reality are far from the same.  But wanting to know more ... and wanting to be more a part of the Reality ... and admitting we're Not already there ... that there is more to learn, more to Be is a start ... a very good start.  Actually experimenting with Truth ... trying out what we believe ...  is the rest of it.  And I think it's an eternal process.  Many of us believe that much of the joy of Heaven lies in the travelling towards it.  In the work, in the sacrifice  and in the spiritual dwelling.

There are three people in history, possibly more, who have given us supreme examples of those who know the way.   They had three different lives but the same Life.  As this Life becomes dear to us, we must put it into practice, or it will remain but a good dream.  Slowly, what we practice becomes a part of us.   I believe Buddha was one of these people. And though he never spoke of God as such, I think he found the Essence.  Mahatma Gandhi is often considered the best Christian of the twentieth century, even though he never became a member of a Christian church, nor even focused on "Christianity".  And  if you reject either or both of these two, just remember that Jesus, himself, was rejected by the authorities of both church and state, for living this same Life, showing us this Way.   Study their lives and beliefs and see if you dont see a sameness.  The kingdom of Heaven is very close to every one of us. The trick is to enter it with our whole being.

1) "Turning stones into bread"
We need to be careful not to be trapped into thinking that material needs are supreme
Our spiritual needs are the most important ones.
We need to put first things first.

2) Zeal toward sacrifice
(the opposite temptation),
We need to be just as careful to avoid the other extreme
of denying the material world (and especially our bodies) completely.
The material world plays a subordinate role but a very real one.
We need to remain in contact with it, discipline it, care for it, and help it towards God.
Our physical bodies are a part of us ... a valuable part.
Once we realize they are a subordinate part, 
we find things which are more important 
than our physical care and security and at those times
we willingly sacrifice them for the long term greater good.
But meanwhile it is good to look after and care for our physical bodies
The goal is to find Life with our Whole being.

3) Seeking more power (even to do good)
through evil means
(bowing to Satan) 
we must not serve anything but Truth
no one but God,
regardless of threat or bribe


So ...  Are ye able? 
How much do you/we want to Live? 
Life is precious ... and costly, 
and worth it.

^{© 2000}  This writting is copyrighted so that the material may not be changed or sold.
                                        Please feel free to use it otherwise.

 Footnotes:
(note: unless otherwise stated  all quotes are from the Revised English Bible [REB]

1 The Buddha and His Teachings, by Narada Maha
     Thera, Buddhist Publication Society,
     Kandy, 1980, p319.
   --The Koran, N.J. Dawood (publ),1990, p425.
   --The Bible, Matthew 7:12.
   --Bhagavad-Gita, 3.28.
2 Matthew 24:28.
3 Matt.4:1-11

minor edit 10 December 2005