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4:7 You have put gladness in my heart more than when their grain and wine abound.
4:8 I will both lie down and sleep in peace; for you alone, O LORD, make me lie down in safety.
The Buddha’s Loving-Kindness sutra is a great example of presenting gladness and safety as near neighbors, especially in the last couplet of this excerpt.
Karaniya Metta Sutta: The Buddha’s Words on Loving-Kindness
(Translated from Pali by the Amaravati Sangha and found on Access to Insight)
This is what should be done
By one who is skilled in goodness,
And who knows the path of peace:
Let them be able and upright,
Straightforward and gentle in speech,
Humble and not conceited,
Contented and easily satisfied,
Unburdened with duties and frugal in their ways.
Peaceful and calm and wise and skillful,
Not proud or demanding in nature.
Let them not do the slightest thing
That the wise would later reprove.
Wishing: In gladness and in safety,
May all beings be at ease.
[Note: The Loving-Kindness sutra is one of the most well-known and popular of the Buddha’s teachings. The full sutra can be found here. An alternative translation can be found here.]
Last week’s Multifaith Mashup post offered a passage from the Qur’an about Allah leading people out of darkness to the light. But, it also talks about peace and safety. Here it is again.
Surah 5 (The Repast), Verse 16 (Yusuf Ali translation, ASIR MEDIA, 2002)
Wherewith Allah guides all who seek His good pleasure to ways of peace and safety, and leads them out of darkness, by His Will, to the light — guides them to a Path that is Straight.
[Note: Allah is simply the Arabic word for God.]
Finally, we’ll share a very quick poem from Daniel Landinsky’s translation of Hafez. (Taken from The Gift: Poems by Hafiz the Great Sufi Master, Penguin Compass, 1999)
Until
I think we are frightened every
Moment of our lives
Until we
Know
Him.
Multifaith Mashup provides passages from the writings/sacred texts of other faith traditions that match an excerpt from the Biblical lections offered in the Revised Common Lectionary. Multifaith Mashup is published on Tuesdays and focuses on the lectionary readings for the upcoming Sunday. Questions? Contact us at vicki@worldreligions4kids.com.