Chapter 12
Morality Self-Control SELF-CONTROL IS THE BASIS OF ALL VIRTUES. Unruly thoughts, attractions of the senses, lustful desires, anger, covetousness, and avarice constantly arise in the mind of the person who has no mental discipline; and these impel him to do evil deeds. If a person cannot even direct his own thoughts, desires, and actions, how can he possibly have integrity in his relations with others? How can he keep his life on the path of truth? The philosopher John Locke said, “The discipline of desire is the background of character.” The passages in this section feature two nearly universal metaphors employed to describe self-control: military conquest and the horse and rider. The conquest of self is the most difficult of all conquests, yet the most important. Father Moon teaches that regardless of one’s high-minded motives to change the world, all efforts are futile without the foundation of having mastered oneself. The task of gaining self-control is also likened to a rider on a wild horse. The higher mind or conscience, like an experienced rider, must gain control over the beast within. He may have to employ the bit and bridle of self-denial and asceticism, yet at all costs he must tame and subdue the lower self with its wanton desires.
1. Victory over the Self Though one should conquer a million men on the battlefield, yet he, indeed, is the noblest victor who has conquered himself.
He who conquers others has physical strength; He who conquers himself is strong. Tao Te Ching 33 (Taoism)
Dhammapada 103 (Buddhism)
He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
The Prophet declared, “We have returned from the lesser holy war (al jihad al-asghar) to the greater holy war (al jihad al-akbar).” They asked, “O Prophet of God, which is the greater war?” He replied, “Struggle against the lower self.”2
Proverbs 16.32
Hadith (Islam)
I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies; for the hardest victory is the victory over self.
Though a man should conquer thousands and thousands of valiant foes, greater will be his victory if he conquers nobody but himself.
Aristotle1 (Hellenism)
Who is strong? He who controls his passions. Mishnah, Avot 4.1 (Judaism)
Fight with yourself; why fight with external foes? He who conquers himself through himself will obtain happiness….
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Difficult to conquer is oneself; but when that is conquered, everything is conquered.
Superior nature can be taught and inferior nature can be controlled.
Uttaradhyayana Sutra 9.34-36 (Jainism)
Han Yu (Confucianism)
In the human soul there is a better and also a worse principle; and when the better has the worse under control, then a man is said to be master of himself; and this is a term of praise: but when, owing to evil education or association, the better principle, which is also the smaller, is overwhelmed by the greater mass of the worse—in this case he is blamed and is called the slave of self and unprincipled.
Man should discover his own reality and not thwart himself. For he has the self as his only friend, or as his only enemy. A person has the self as a friend when he has conquered himself, But if he rejects his own reality, the self will war against him. Bhagavad-Gita 6.5-6 (Hinduism)
Plato, The Republic 9 (Hellenism)
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon “Before you desire to have dominion over the universe, you must first have dominion over yourself”: That is my motto. God’s love, life and truth can be developed on the basis of self-mastery. (Way of God’s Will 2.2) Who is your enemy? The devil out there is not your enemy; you are your own enemy. Are your mind and body united as one in serving God? How difficult is it? Which is easier, to unite the world or to unite your own self? If you are united as an individual, then by extending that unity you can certainly unify the world. Then who is your enemy? Your own eyes are your enemy. Your own ears are your enemy. Your own nose is your enemy. Your own mouth is your enemy. Your own thoughts are your enemy. (91:285-86, February 27, 1977) Because we are fallen, we have some elements to overcome. Therefore, I put forward the motto, “Before you desire to have dominion over the universe, you must first have dominion over yourself.” The issue is not gaining worldly dominion. To have dominion over the self—this is the absolute goal of training. It is the purpose that religious people have pursued throughout history, and the important responsibility assigned to each of us today. Yet, we neglect this task. (82:281, February 1, 1976) Stopping the mind and the body from fighting is more difficult than signing a truce to end a world war. (320:249, April 16, 2000)
❖ 2. Self-Discipline: Training the Unruly Beast Within Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, else it will not keep with you.
Man makes a harness for his beast; all the more should he make one for the beast within himself, his evil desire. Jerusalem Talmud, Sanhedrin 10.1 (Judaism)
Psalm 32.9
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Excellent are trained mules, so are thoroughbred horses of Sindh and noble tusked elephants; but far better is he who has trained himself. Formerly this mind went wandering where it liked, as it wished and as it listed. Today with attentiveness I shall completely hold it in check, as a mahout controls an elephant in must. Dhammapada 322, 326 (Buddhism)
Know that the Self is the rider, and the body the chariot; that the intellect is the charioteer, and the mind the reins. The senses, say the wise, are the horses; the roads they travel are the mazes of desire‌ When a man lacks discrimination and his mind is uncontrolled, his senses are unmanageable, like the restive horses of a charioteer. But when a man has discrimination and his mind is controlled, his senses, like the well-broken horses of a charioteer, lightly obey the rein. Katha Upanishad 1.3.3-6 (Hinduism)
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It is true that the mind is restless and difficult to control. But it can be conquered, Arjuna, through regular practice and detachment. Those who lack self-control will find it difficult to progress in meditation; but those who are self-controlled, striving earnestly through the right means, will attain the goal. Bhagavad-Gita 6.35-36 (Hinduism)
What is meant by saying that cultivation of the personal life depends on the rectification of the mind is that when one is affected by wrath to any extent, his mind will not be correct. When one is affected by fear to any extent, his mind will not be correct. When he is affected by fondness to any extent, his mind will not be correct. When he is affected by worries and anxieties, his mind will not be correct. When the mind is not present, we look but do not see, listen but do not hear, and eat but do not know the taste of food. This is what is meant by saying that the cultivation of the personal life depends on the rectification of the mind. Great Learning 7 (Confucianism)
The man of understanding‌ will regulate his bodily habit and training. Not yielding to brutal and irrational pleasures, he will regard even health as quite a secondary matter. His first aim will be not to be fair or strong or well, unless he is likely to gain temperance thereby, but to temper the body so as to preserve the harmony of the soul.
That man is disciplined and happy who can prevail over the turmoil That springs from desire and anger, here on earth, before he leaves his body. Bhagavad-Gita 5.23 (Hinduism)
Plato, The Republic (Hellenism)
Irrigators lead the waters. Fletchers bend the shafts. Carpenters bend wood. The virtuous control themselves.3 Dhammapada 80 (Buddhism)
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon The human conscience is the faculty of mind that represents God. It does not exist for your sake, but for the righteousness of Heaven. The conscience always strives for goodness. The body rebels against it. The body desires to be comfortable; it is selfish and insatiable to satisfy its instinctive needs. The conscience reproaches such a body and tries to bring it into submission. This is the reason why conflict and struggle arise continually within the self.
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Therefore, religions throughout history have taught people methods to strike the body. Religions are training grounds to enable us to control our bodily desires and have the body to surrender to the mind. They train and guide fallen people to become the men and women God intended at the creation. (219:118, August 28, 1991) “Before you desire to have dominion over the universe, you must first have dominion over yourself”: I regard this as the most important matter. The three requisites for achieving this are to overcome the three enemies: food, sleep and sex. (366:287, January 17, 2002) Despite every effort at self-cultivation, people are often caught by love. When they respond to the temptation of a handsome man or beautiful woman, they are caught. Human beings cannot claim to have attained self-mastery in matters of love. It is possible for people to control their sexual desire when they become one with God, but as long as they are self-centered they cannot overcome it. Even in movies, when a woman is being raped at first she fights, “No, no!” but once her passion is aroused she embraces the man. The power of love makes people give in to their enemies. (306:196, September 23, 1998) Due to the Human Fall, love today is basically self-centered. That self‑centered love does not originate from the mind, but rather is centered upon the body. The body is where Satan conducts his activities. The body is Satan’s dance hall; it is Satan’s mooring post. The mind represents God’s dwelling place—the subject position. But the body, which should assume the object position, tries to make itself another subject. It continually asserts itself, alluring or deceiving the mind. In human life, it is crucial to correct this relationship. Therefore, God established religion to restore fallen humans. Through religion God is teaching people how to strengthen their God‑centered mind and reverse the body’s dominion over their life and character. That is why religion requires fasting, sacrificial service, and a meek and humble attitude. These are methods to reduce the power of the body and make the body submit to the mind. Normally in religious life it takes about three to five years to overcome the habit of a body‑centered life and create a new, spirit‑centered way of life. (201:209, April 9, 1990) When I put myself at the zero point and completely deny myself, at that point my mind and body can achieve perfect unity. (October 21, 2001) Your goal is for the mind to be in control 100 percent. It is not enough for the mind and body to be 50-50. [After death] such a person will end up in the mid-level spirit world, in a buffer zone. If a person follows the body 60 percent of the time, he will undoubtedly go to hell… Always keep in mind that “I” am the womb that brings forth both good and evil. (37:122, December 23, 1970) Are God’s mind and body fighting?4 No, they do not fight. How about you? If your mind and body do not become one, you can never enter the Kingdom of Heaven. (305:111, April 19, 1999)
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Restraint THE PATH TO SELF-CONTROL BEGINS WITH RESTRAINT. Restraint has several aspects. First, we should avoid situations that would tempt us to sin. This requires self-knowledge; since by knowing our weaknesses we can avoid compromising situations. Second, we should restrain ourselves from acting on the promptings of anger, arrogance and other momentary impulses. Thus Father Moon, knowing that he has a temper, says that he must make continual effort to restrain himself from exploding in anger because he recognizes the harm it would cause others. Third, religious teachings of non-violence and meekness, of preferring to be beaten than to harm others, train us in the discipline of restraint. Fourth, Father Moon teaches of God’s restraint and forbearance in the face of constant insults and aggravations over thousands of years as an inspiring example for us as we strive to be people who restrain ourselves.
Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity for the devil.5 Ephesians 4.26-27
Verily God forgives my people the evil promptings which arise within their hearts as long as they do not speak about them and did not act upon them. Hadith of Muslim (Islam)
If an evil man, on hearing of what is good, comes and creates a disturbance, you should hold your peace. You must not angrily upbraid him; then he who has come to curse you will merely harm himself. Sutra of Forty-two Sections 7 (Buddhism)
A single bangle does not make a sound.6 Igala Proverb (African Traditional Religions)
The anger of man does not work the righteousness of God. James 1.20
Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “The strong man is not the good wrestler; the strong man is only he who controls himself when he is angry.” Hadith of Bukhari and Muslim (Islam)
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You have heard that it was said to the men of old, “You shall not kill; and whoever kills shall be liable to judgment.” But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother shall be liable to the council, and whoever says “You fool!” shall be liable to the hell of fire. Matthew 5.21-22
The very first principle of religion laid down by Lord Mahavira is Ahimsa—Non-injury to living beings—which must be observed very scrupulously and thoroughly, and behaving towards all living beings with proper restraint and control. Dashavaikalika Sutra 6.9 (Jainism)
“Your cheeks are like halves of a pomegranate behind your veil” (Song 4.3): The emptiest of you are as well packed with religious observances as a pomegranate with seeds. For everyone who has the opportunity of committing a sin and escapes it and refrains from doing it performs a highly religious act. How much more, then, is this true of those “behind your veil,” the modest and self-restrained among you! Canticles Rabbah 4.4.3 (Judaism)
Whenever there is attachment in my mind And whenever there is the desire to be angry, I should not do anything nor say anything, But remain like a piece of wood….
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Whenever I am eager for praise Or have the desire to blame others; Whenever I have the wish to speak harshly and cause dispute; At such times I should remain like a piece of wood. Whenever I desire material gain, honor or fame; Whenever I seek attendants or a circle of friends, And when in my mind I wish to be served; At these times I should remain like a piece of wood.
Whenever I have the wish to decrease or to stop working for others And the desire to pursue my own welfare alone, If [motivated by such thoughts] a wish to say something occurs, At these times I should remain like a piece of wood. Shantideva, Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life 5.48-52 (Buddhism)
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon Whenever you feel troubled, you should just let that feeling go. It is wrong to stand up in public and speak about this and that while you are still affected by bad feelings. (45:269, July 4, 1971) When a person is powerful and capable, if he restrains himself, he gains the people’s respect. But when people who do not have any power or authority show restraint, they are regarded as weak. I have a fiery temper, yet I restrain myself and endure. That is why people think I am a great man. (October 7, 1979) Don’t get angry. You who walk the path of believers in God will lose everything if you get angry centered on your own desire. (32:34, June 14, 1970) I, Reverend Moon, am not originally a good-natured person. That is why I train myself, biting my tongue, controlling myself and saying to myself, “I must go this way!” (320:251, April 16, 2000) If I were to lose my temper at someone, thinking, “That good-for nothing!” or if I were to nurse feelings of ill-will, “Just wait a few months and we’ll see what happens to you…” in the end that person would be broken in pieces. That is why I bite my tongue and control myself. As the True Parent, I cannot use my mouth to curse others. Even as I hold back my words, Heaven releases me completely from my bitter feelings. When you see this, don’t you think God loves me? (162:205, April 12, 1987) In history those who strike first always lose. Look at the First and the Second World Wars: the side that struck first lost. In the Third World War also, the side striking first will lose.7 This is why even in our individual lives we should persevere and restrain ourselves, for those who persevere will be blessed. Take the beating and persevere. Endure, and someday you will rise up. (7:222, November 13, 1959) God is worthy of respect, for He has been restraining Himself in silence and with patience while enduring thousands of years of insults and suffering. When you truly realize what God has endured for your sake, you will feel deep in your heart, “Lord, you are truly my Father.” As God’s sons and
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daughters, should you not resolve to endure for His sake? It will take much endurance to become the core ancestors who embody the Father’s tradition and bequeath it for thousands of generations to come. (363:254, December 25, 2001) If we cannot forbear, then we cannot pay back the debt we owe to God and cannot resolve the grievances within His bosom. Because the fortune of heaven and earth moves along with God’s providence, when we remain with God, sharing His bitterness, indignation and sorrow, then judgment can fall on the satanic world. This is the reason Heaven teaches us to restrain our anger, be gentle and modest, and persevere in our life of faith. Satan will invade if we fall out of step with God and create a gap between God’s providence and ourselves. Therefore, we who have the faith must unconditionally sacrifice and obey, following only the internal aspects of love. (1:113, June 10, 1956)
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Integrity INTEGRITY REFERS TO AN UNCHANGING CHARACTER. Regardless of the circumstances, a person of integrity maintains his purpose, keeps his promises, and does his duty. More than that, a person of integrity becomes the moral and spiritual center of his or her family and community. Others depend on him, trust him and rely on him. As Father Moon teaches, just as diamonds and gold are valued for their unchanging brilliance, a person of diamond-like value has an unchanging character. One great test of integrity is duty; another is adversity. They place principle above expediency, as did Rama, the hero of the Hindu Ramayana who refused a kingdom rather than disobey his father’s wishes. It is tempting to regard fulfilling a duty as an opportunity for wealth or personal advancement. It is a challenge to maintain a friendly disposition in adverse circumstances. It is even more difficult to fulfill one’s obligations when to do so puts one at risk of life. However, a person of integrity disregards the circumstances and fulfills a duty for its own sake. Having taken on a task, he or she pursues it to the end with an unchanging mind.
1. A Life Based upon Principle He who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out. Proverbs 10.9
When one follows unswervingly the path of virtue it is not to win advancement. When one invariably keeps one’s word it is not to establish the rectitude of one’s actions. A gentleman merely follows the norm and awaits his destiny. Mencius VII.B.33 (Confucianism)
Virtue is the root; wealth is the result. If he makes the root his secondary object, and the result his primary, he will only wrangle with his people, and teach them rapine. Great Learning 10.7-8 (Confucianism)
Not to be cheered by praise, Not to be grieved by blame, But to know thoroughly one’s own virtues and powers Are characteristics of an excellent man. Precious Treasury of Elegant Sayings 29 (Buddhism)
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If one’s mind is sorrowless, stainless and secure, and is not disturbed when affected by worldly vicissitudes, this is the highest blessing.
he that is merely wise pursues goodness in the belief that it pays to do so. Analects 4.2 (Confucianism)
Sutta Nipata 268 (Buddhism)
To gain a good reputation, be the kind of person that you want people to think you are. Socrates (Hellenism)
Without goodness a man “cannot for long endure adversity; cannot for long endure prosperity.” The good man rests content with goodness;
Make [virtue] your first object. Give up money, give up fame, give up science, give up the earth itself and all it contains, rather than do an immoral act. And never suppose that in any possible situation, or under any circumstances, it is best for you to do a dishonorable thing. Whenever you are to do a thing, though it can never be known but to yourself, ask yourself how you would act were all the world looking at you, and act accordingly. Thomas Jefferson
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon When we call someone a person of character, we are not referring to appearance, education,8 career or position. We look not at class or outward glory, but to what extent he or she is leading a principled life. A person with an unchanging mind to serve Heaven, who lives according to God’s will with such a mind—that is a person of character. (19:285, March 10, 1968) Does human character have bones? Have you ever seen the bone of character? Personality is what appears outwardly. That is the visible aspect; however, there is a hidden, bone-like foundation of character that is responsible for the visible aspect. It is the invisible cause of the visible personality. (177:315, May 22, 1988) We should have this attitude: “I am inheriting God’s undiluted tradition; therefore, I must always go the straight path. I have to win over all unrighteousness. Although it takes thousands of times more effort to subjugate force with something other than force, I will solve every problem and overcome any circumstance.” In this way, we should establish our integrity as people loyal to Heaven. We should start with a pure mind and continue without faltering until we achieve the goal. (21:83, October 27, 1968) We can never establish one unified world if we have a changing standard of goodness. A center must never move. The deeper it is, the calmer it should be. Look at the ocean: waves may rage on the surface because of a storm, but deep below the ocean is still. Let us learn from this. (Way of God’s Will 2.2) I want you to know that precious things, like diamonds, carry their own power and value. Others see that value and respect it and are moved by it. Who is the more precious person, one who is influenced by others or one who can influence others? What kind of person are you? Among those who influence others, the person having the best influence is the most precious person. (118:95, May 9, 1982)
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The saints and sages who appeared in history are the best historical examples of true people. Why do we call them “true”? Something true is not only true in the present. It must be true in the past, true in the present and true in the future. Its truth transcends all circumstances. Therefore, a true person stands at the center of the past, the center of the present, and the center of the future. Among the people in the world, who is nearest to being “true”? Is it a parent or a teacher you once had? Countless people have lived and died, but the person who should establish the basis of truth is none other than you yourself. Where, then, is your closest link to the truth? It is your conscience. We often say of a person, “He is conscientious. He has an upright mind.” What does it mean for one’s mind to be upright? It is upright in the past, it is upright in the present, and it will be upright in the future. (28:159, January 11, 1970) March forward, trusting yourself. You should have the integrity to go forth absolutely alone. (Way of God’s Will 1.4)
❖ 2. People of Integrity Fulfill Their Duty Those who believe, and keep their duty, theirs are good tidings in the life of the world and in the Hereafter. Qur’an 10.63-64
All a gentleman can do in starting an enterprise is to leave behind a tradition which can be carried on. Heaven alone can grant success. Mencius I.B.14 (Confucianism)
puts in order his own personal conduct and seeks nothing from others; hence he has no complaint to make. He complains not against God, nor rails against men. Thus it is that the moral man lives out the even tenor of his life, calmly waiting for the appointment of God, whereas the vulgar person takes to dangerous courses, expecting the uncertain chances of luck. Doctrine of the Mean 14 (Confucianism)
The moral man conforms himself to his life circumstances; he does not desire anything outside his position. Finding himself in a position of wealth and honor, he lives as becomes one living in a position of wealth and honor. Finding himself in a position of poverty and humble circumstances, he lives as becomes one living in a position of poverty and humble circumstances. Finding himself in uncivilized countries, he lives as becomes one living in uncivilized countries. Finding himself in circumstances of danger and difficulty, he acts according to what is required of a man under such circumstances. In one word, the moral man can find himself in no situation in life in which he is not master of himself. In high position he does not domineer over his subordinates. In a subordinate position he does not court the favors of his superiors. He
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He who does not fulfill his duty is not respected by honest men. It is how he acts that reveals the nobility or baseness of a man and distinguishes the honest or the dishonest person; otherwise the ignoble would resemble the noble, and he who is devoid of honor would resemble a man of integrity; he who is unworthy would be deemed worthy and he who is depraved would be considered to be a man of virtue. If, under the pretext of duty, I adopt this unrighteous course, calculated to produce the confusion of social roles, and do acts not recognized by the scriptures, I should, renouncing good, have to reap evil only!9 What sensible man, able to discern what is just and unjust, would respect me in this world, if I behaved viciously and dishonorably?… Why should I, Rama, not fulfill the command of my
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father, who was a devotee of truth? Neither ambition, forgetfulness, nor pride would cause me to destroy the bridge of morality! Ramayana, Ayodhya Kanda 109 (Hinduism)
Tzu-kao, Duke of She, who was being sent on a mission to Ch’i, consulted Confucius. “The king is sending me on a very important mission. Ch’i will probably treat me with great honor but will be in no hurry to do anything more. Even a commoner cannot be forced to act, much less one of the feudal lords. I am very worried about it…” Confucius said, “In the world, there are two great decrees: one is fate and the other is duty. That a son should love his parent is fate—you cannot erase this from his heart. That a subject should serve his ruler is duty—there is no place he can go and be without his ruler, no place he can escape to between heaven and earth. These are called the great decrees. Therefore,
to serve your parents and be content to follow them anywhere—this is the perfection of filial piety. To serve your ruler and be content to do anything for him—this is the peak of loyalty. And to serve your own mind so that sadness or joy do not sway or move it; to understand what you can do nothing about and be content with it as with fate—this is the perfection of virtue. As a subject and a son, you are bound to find things you cannot avoid. If you act in accordance with the state of affairs and forget about yourself, then what leisure will you have to love life and hate death?… “Just go along with things and let your mind move freely. Resign yourself to what cannot be avoided and nourish what is within you—this is best. What more do you have to do to fulfill your mission? Nothing is as good as following orders—that is how difficult it is!” Chuang Tzu 4 (Taoism)
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon A loyal subject and a treacherous subject originally belong to the same class of people. The only difference is that the former is obedient to the will of the king while the latter makes much of himself before everything else. A loyal subject always walks a straight line; the beginning and end of his works are the same. (Way of God’s Will 2.2) Because most people do not have an absolute center, they change their minds day and night. We cannot call them people of character. People of character keep their promises and have a high standard of righteousness. Once things are decided, they do not make any excuses. You should become people like that. Even if the laws of the universe were to change, you should never deviate from fulfilling what you have promised. (23:100, May 14, 1969) By faithfully living according to Heaven’s principles, we should find and establish our value. That value represents our original relationship with Heaven, our original relationship with people, and our original relationship with the universe. Once you restore your eternally unchanging integrity before God’s Will, you will be able to praise your own value. You can be proud of yourself as someone who eternally lives for the sake of others. This means that your day-to-day relationships with other people and all things will completely display the beauty of God’s creation. Thus, the ultimate purpose of God’s providence is to help human beings find the ultimate value of their life. (2:336-37, August 4, 1957) Why does God need Reverend Moon? Because I am a handsome? No. For my worldly knowledge? No. Because I have power and wealth? No, I do not have any of those things. I am nothing. Yet God
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holds onto me because I know God’s Will and devote all my life, day and night, to its fulfillment. That is the only reason God needs me. Likewise, do I need you because I want to use you to make money? Do I want to use you to gain power? No. The reason why I need you more than any power or authority in America is because I sense your zeal for the Will of God. This connects us like a string, but it is stronger than anything else. (77:16, March 23, 1975)
❖ 3. People of Integrity Do Not Change according to the Circumstances Once there lived a housewife named Vedehika who had a reputation for gentleness, modesty, and courtesy. She had a housemaid named Kali who was efficient and industrious and who managed her work well. Then it occurred to Kali the housemaid, “My mistress has a very good reputation; I wonder whether she is good by nature, or is good because my work, being well-managed, makes her surroundings pleasant. What if I were to test my mistress?” The following morning Kali got up late. Then Vedehika shouted at her maid, “Hey, Kali!” “Yes, madam?” “Hey, what makes you get up late?” “Nothing in particular, madam.” “Nothing in particular, eh, naughty maid, and you get up late?” And being angry and offended, she frowned. Then it occurred to Kali, “Apparently, my mistress does have a temper inwardly, though she does not show it because my work is wellmanaged. What if I were to test her further?” Then she got up later. Thereupon Vedehika shouted at her maid, “Hey, Kali, why do you get up late?” “No particular reason, madam.” “No particular reason, eh, and you are up late?” she angrily hurled at her words of indignation. Then it occurred to Kali, “Apparently, my mistress does have a temper inwardly, though she does not show it because my work is well-managed. What if I were to test her still further?” She got up still later. Thereupon Vedehika shouted at her, “Hey, Kali, why do you get up late?” and she angrily took up the bolt of the door-bar and hit her on the head, cutting it. Thereupon Kali, with cut head and blood trickling down, denounced her mistress before the neighbors, saying, “Madam,
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look at the work of the gentle lady, madam, look at the action of the modest lady, madam, look at the action of the quiet lady. Why must she get angry and offended because I got up late and hit me, her only maid, cutting me on the head?” Thus the housewife lost her good reputation. Analogously, brethren, a person here happens to be very gentle, very humble, and very quiet as long as unpleasant things do not touch him. It is only when unpleasant things happen to a person that it is known whether he is truly gentle, humble, and quiet. Majjhima Nikaya 1.123-24 (Buddhism)
The well-taught noble disciple, when touched by a painful feeling, weeps not, wails not, knocks not on the breast, falls not into utter bewilderment. He feels the bodily feeling, but not the mental… Moreover, he has no repugnance for painful feeling. As he has no repugnance for it, the lurking tendency to repugnance for painful feeling fastens not on him. He, when touched by painful feeling, delights not in sensual pleasure. Why so? Because, brethren, the well-taught noble disciple knows of a refuge from painful feeling apart from sensual ease. As he delights not in sensual ease, the lurking tendency to sensual ease fastens not on him… If he feels a feeling that is pleasant, he feels it as one freed from bondage. If he feels a feeling that is painful, he feels it as one freed from bondage. If he feels a neutral feeling, he feels it as one freed from bondage. Samyutta Nikaya 36.1.1.6 (Buddhism)
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Teachings of Sun Myung Moon Gold is valuable because its essence never changes, even in the fire. If your will changes whenever you are confronted with difficulties, what value do you have? You can never be called a person of character. (Way of God’s Will 2.2) Because your mind varies, your direction also varies, and because your direction varies, your purpose changes. You cannot fulfill one purpose when your mind is constantly changing. It is difficult enough to fulfill a goal with one mind; how much more difficult it is to fulfill it with two! Therefore, in everything we do, we should have one mind. We must have the same mind in the morning, during the daytime and in the evening; the same mind in youth, middle age and old age. A person who starts a task with one mind, proceeds with one mind, and attains the result with one mind—his purpose will enlarge as he is able to maintain that one mind over longer periods. We should have one mind. When we pursue a certain purpose, we need one mind. If we do not have one mind, we cannot fulfill the goal. From this, we deduce that God created this world with one mind, not with two minds. We have to begin with one mind and proceed in one direction in order to fulfill one goal. However, today, people are not able to keep one mind. (28:155, January 11, 1970) Ever since the Human Fall, the form of our minds has been changing continually. If our minds were unchanging as they were supposed to be, we would all be holy people. Something can be holy if it is unique and unchanging. Thus, since white people always retain their white color, their white color is holy. Black people likewise keep their unique and unchanging black color; therefore it too is holy. But a worldly white person, whose mind and behavior constantly changes according to the circumstances, is on Satan’s side. Regardless of his lofty social status, there is nothing holy about him… The shape of a person’s hands and face does not change. What changes is the mind. When a person’s mind is changeable, it becomes Satan’s dance floor. Is there any woman here who wants a changeable husband? Certainly not. Although she may not be perfect, she still prefers an unchanging man… A holy couple, united in true love, does not change for eternity. The years follow that couple, not the other way around. Such a couple is the center of eternal life. (217:303-04, June 12, 1991)
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Righteousness RIGHTEOUSNESS MEANS A LIFE UPHOLDING HIGH PRINCIPLES and dedicated to public service. Righteous people are the spiritual and moral pillars of a society, bestowing its vision and setting its values. By their courage, moral rectitude, and devotion to public service they demonstrate the exemplary qualities of a good citizen. Righteousness is often demonstrated by concern for the greater good: for the community, the nation, even for the world. Father Moon calls this being a public person, living a public life. He teaches that we should strictly live with a mind to serve the greater good and never fall back into acting with selfish, greedy motives. It is not easy to be a righteous person. Righteous people invariably place public duties ahead of personal gain. They are serious about the propriety of every action they take. When society is corrupt and decadent, such righteousness is not always welcomed, and righteous people face persecution. Yet the value of righteousness is so great that in the Old Testament story of Sodom and Gomorrah, God was willing to spare those sinful cities for the sake of 10 righteous men. Every community needs such people.
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1. A Righteous Person Stands against Evil at the Cost to Himself The Master said, “A gentleman in his dealings with the world has neither enmities nor affections; but wherever he sees Right he ranges himself behind it.
things away; you shall not make my Father’s house a house of trade.”
Analects 4.10 (Confucianism)
They that are desirous of victory do not conquer by might and energy so much as by truth, compassion, righteousness, and spiritual discipline. Discriminating then between righteousness and unrighteousness, and understanding what is meant by covetousness, when there is recourse to exertion fight without arrogance, for victory is there where righteousness is. Under these conditions know, O king, that to us victory is certain in this battle. Indeed, where Krishna is, there is victory.
And if God had not repelled some men by others, the earth would have been corrupted. Qur’an 2.251
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5.10
John 2.13-16
Mahabharata, Bhishma Parva 21 (Hinduism)
Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the moneychangers at their business. And making a whip of cords, he drove them all, with the sheep and oxen, out of the temple; and he poured out the coins of the moneychangers and overturned their tables. And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these
Neither let us be slandered from our duty by false accusations against us, nor frightened from it by menaces of destruction to the Government nor of dungeons to ourselves. Let us have faith that right makes might; and in that faith let us, to the end, dare to do our duty as we understand it. Abraham Lincoln10
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon The Chinese character for “righteousness,” 義 (eui) is a combination of two characters: 羊 (yang) “sheep” and 我 (ah) “self.”11 In other words, when you put yourself in the position of a sacrificial lamb, you will create the condition for righteousness. (92:309, April 24, 1977) Go and do something adventurous for the sake of the nation and God’s righteousness. God will encourage you, “Go ahead and do it.” Then you will meet with abuse. There will be a confrontation, but if you subjugate the evil on your own, then God will be pleased. It is the outcome God hopes for. Will God help you if you cower in fear, too afraid even to fight? Therefore, raise well-intentioned problems. (104:107, April 15, 1979) You must be able to distinguish between good and evil, but how do you distinguish them? In the world good and evil are intermingled; however, the point where good and evil becomes distinguished is in yourself. The world is evil; therefore, if you live without colliding with the world, you are an evil person. You live in a fallen realm; therefore, if you are living your life like a fish caught in a net, you are an evil person. If you just continue with your life instead of confronting the world’s evils, you are an evil person. Since you know that the present-day world is an evil world, you must fight against it.
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Why? It is because humans fell. Having fallen from our original position, you must climb back up, and in order to climb back up, you must struggle through it. It will not do to stay still. Otherwise, you will never be able to greet the new world that humankind desires. You will not leave a mark of goodness in history, and history will not be able to progress. That is why, as people who would advance the cause of goodness, you must fight. (33:42, August 1, 1970) It is a principle that the side of justice grows stronger with persecution and difficulty. Therefore, when we are hit we will develop even more. (93:134, May 21, 1977) When good people pursue a certain goal, they are often uncertain about their objective, and on the path they find little support to stimulate and strengthen their aspiration for goodness. On the other hand, evil people find help every step of the way and relationships to encourage them from the beginning to the end. Therefore, a person who is seeking truth inevitably finds him or herself in situations of loneliness and sorrow. The path of the person who upholds goodness will not be a smooth one. Not many people welcome an individual who strives to cultivate a character of exceptional goodness, especially as he tries to assemble an environment that meets his standard. There will be opposition when that person tries to build a family of goodness, and even stronger evil forces will surround and oppose any attempt to build a tribe of goodness. (36:52, November 15, 1970) Father! I am going forward as a strong man, bold and magnanimous; I will not be put to shame. Please, watch over me on my path; I will make Thee proud of me. (134:142-43, February 25, 1985)
❖ 2. A Righteous Person Leads a Public Life and Identifies His Welfare with the Public Good Do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek all these things; and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well. Matthew 6.31-33
It is not righteousness that you turn your faces [in prayer] to the East and to the West. Righteousness is this: to believe in God, and the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the Prophets,
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to give of one’s substance, however cherished, to kinsmen, and orphans, the needy, the traveler, beggars, and to free the slave, to perform the prayer and to pay the alms. And they who fulfill their covenant, when they have engaged in a covenant, and endure with fortitude misfortune, hardship, and peril, these are they who are true in their faith, these are the truly God-fearing. Qur’an 2.177
I delivered the poor who cried, and the fatherless who had none to help him.
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The blessing of him who was about to perish came upon me, and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy. I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; my justice was like a robe and a turban. I was eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame. I was a father to the poor, and I searched out the cause of him whom I did not know. I broke the fangs of the unrighteous, and made him drop his prey from his teeth. Job 29.12-17
He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not fail or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law.
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Kung-sun Ch’ou asked Mencius, “May I ask what your strong points are?” “I have an insight into words. I am good at cultivating my ‘flood-like ch’i.’” “May I ask what this ‘flood-like ch’i’ is?” “It is difficult to explain. This is a ch’i (breath) which is, in the highest degree, vast and unyielding. Nourish it with integrity and place no obstacle in its path and it will fill the space between heaven and earth. It is a ch’i which unites righteousness and the Way. Deprive it of these and it will collapse. It is born of accumulated rightness and cannot be appropriated by anyone through a sporadic show of rightness. Whenever one acts in a way that falls below the standard set in one’s heart, it will collapse… You must work at it and never let it out of your mind. At the same time, while you must never let it out of your mind, you must not forcibly help it grow either.” Mencius II.A.2 (Confucianism)
Isaiah 42.2-4
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon Do you want to be blessed? Do you want to live eternally? Then, you should become a public person. (31:168, May 24, 1970) When you make it your business to serve others and to touch others’ hearts, you are going beyond the life of a private individual. (241:118, December 20, 1992) A human being is not meant to live for his or her individual self. Yet, these days many worldly people say, “I work for myself.” In other words, they live for the sake of themselves. How pitiful are these people? They are like orphans without parents or siblings. You should be able to say, “I live for the sake of all the people of the world.” (24:21, June 22, 1969) You should be able to declare, “I have tackled the most difficult problem in the nation.” It is not enough to deal with problems within the church. Furthermore, you should be able to declare, “I have tackled the most difficult problem in the world.” Unless you do it willingly, you will remain on a servant level and cannot reach the level of an adopted son.12 You have to be willing to digest all the difficulties in the world—all the things that servants can do—with joy. (113:111, May 1, 1981) There is no need to worry whether something will be done or not. The question is whether you did it or not. (308:209, January 5, 1999)
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The public-minded person speaks from public-mindedness; he sees, hears, feels, thinks, eats and sleeps and does everything from the public-minded standpoint. When you look at the world with a public-minded eye, you come to love everything. (111:244, February 22, 1981) Whether your work is small or big, regardless of the task, you should not relate to it personally. In other words, your mind should be intense. Your state of mind should be like a ball that is completely round after the air has been pumped in, with pressure. Your mind should keep that pressure like a completely round ball, and never go flat. If instead your mind is uneasy or self-centered, dominated by personal greed, it is like a sharp edge forming in that round, ball-like mind. (40:278-89, February 7, 1971)
❖ 3. Righteous People are the Guardians of a Nation Then Abraham drew near, and said, “Wilt thou indeed destroy the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city; wilt thou then destroy the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are in it? Far be it from thee to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from thee! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?”
Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, look and take note! Search her squares to see if you can find a man, one who does justice and seeks truth; that I may pardon her… O Lord, do not thy eyes look for truth?
Genesis 18.23-25
Jeremiah 5.1-3
I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.13
There are [always] thirty righteous men among the nations, by whose virtue the nations of the world continue to exist.14
1 Kings 19.18
Talmud, Hullin 92a (Judaism)
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon Since I came to America I have been working as hard as I can, and also I am pushing Americans to go through many hardships. Nevertheless, if we can prosper, it can be a blessing to America, and an indemnity condition that can cover the failure of America to fulfill its God-given mission. Then, I can pray to God, “Heavenly Father, please have regard for these Thy children and forgive America for their sakes. Although America deserves to perish, because these children are devoted to Thee, please save this nation.” It is similar to Abraham’s prayer when he pleaded with God to spare Sodom and Gomorrah if ten righteous people could be found. (103:200, February 25, 1979) Many people are patriots, but saints are rare. A saint is someone who sacrifices for the world. Do you think that I want you, the people whom I love, to be merely filial children, or patriots, or saints? I am pushing you to become saints. (111:141, February 8, 1981)
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Sincerity and Authenticity A PERSON’S INNER INTENTION GOES FAR TOWARDS DETERMINING the extent to which a particular action is good or evil, effective or ineffective. As Buddha so forcefully stated in the Dhammapada, action begins with the mind; it is created by the mind; it goes forth according to the inner state of the mind. In some of the passages gathered here, sincerity means the natural and spontaneous flow of the mind, devoid of all pretense and egoistic grasping. Other passages call for self-examination and self-cultivation in order to manifest true sincerity. Father Moon views the cultivation of sincerity, what he calls jeongseong, as fundamental to the spiritual life. This section treats sincerity as a virtue in daily life. On the topic of sincerity in approaching God, see Chapter 16: Devotion and Purity of Intention.
1. Sincerity Flows Spontaneously out of the Heart’s Affections Mind is the forerunner of all evil states. Mind is chief; mind-made are they. If one speaks or acts with wicked mind, because of that suffering follows one, even as the wheel [of the cart] follows the hoof of the draught ox. Mind is the forerunner of all good states. Mind is chief; mind-made are they. If one speaks or acts with pure mind, because of that happiness follows one, even as one’s shadow that never leaves.
If you do not perceive the sincerity within yourself and yet try to move forth, each movement will miss the mark.
Dhammapada 1-2 (Buddhism)
Romans 12.9-10
The heart is like a king with his troops. If the king is a good one, then his troops will be good too, and if the king is wicked, his troops follow suit…
Sincerity [Absolute Truth] is the Way of Heaven; the attainment of Sincerity is the Way of man. He who possesses Sincerity achieves what is right without effort, understands without thinking, and naturally and easily is centered on the Way. He is a sage.
If a person’s heart is healthy, his body will be at ease, and if a person’s heart is malicious, the body will be malevolent. Hadith (Islam)
Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “God does not look at your forms and your possessions, but He looks at your hearts and your deeds.” Hadith of Muslim (Islam)
To the pure all things are pure, but to the corrupt and unbelieving nothing is pure; their very minds and consciences are corrupted. Titus 1.15
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Chuang Tzu 23 (Taoism)
Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Never flag in zeal, be aglow with the Spirit, serve the Lord.
Doctrine of the Mean 20.18 (Confucianism)
While there are no stirrings of pleasure, anger, sorrow, or joy, the mind may be said to be in a state of equilibrium (chung). When those feelings have been stirred, and they act in their due degree, there ensues what may be called the state of harmony (ho). This equilibrium is the great root from which grow all the human actings in the world, and this harmony is the universal path which they all should pursue. Let the states of equilibrium and harmony exist
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angry, though he may sound fierce, will arouse no awe. And he who forces himself to be affectionate, though he may smile, will create no air of harmony. True sadness need make no sound to awaken grief; true anger need not show itself to arouse awe; true affection need not smile to create harmony. When a man has the Truth within himself, his spirit may move among external things. That is why the Truth is to be prized!
in perfection, and a happy order will prevail throughout heaven and earth, and all things will be nourished and flourish. Doctrine of the Mean 1.4-5 (Confucianism)
By the Truth I mean purity and sincerity in their highest degree. He who lacks purity and sincerity cannot move others. Therefore he who forces himself to lament, though he may sound sad, will awaken no grief. He who forces himself to be
Chuang Tzu 31 (Taoism)
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon You should speak with your mind—your inmost self. If it resonates with God, you can become one with God and automatically know the truth of the universe. (102:34, November 19, 1978) A good person can always embrace everything with his heart: whatever he sees, whomever he meets and wherever he goes. (Way of God’s Will 2.3) You cannot serve God with all your sincerity if you are simply following someone else’s instructions, or because someone obliges you to. The heart of sincerity is something that automatically springs forth from within you. In that state, you do not need any education about loyalty, filial piety and fidelity. (Way of God’s Will 2.3) When I put my hands to do something, I think, “I was born for this task.” You too should be able to say, “I was born for this; I was made for this.” Then work on it with enjoyment. Doing things because we like it is love. The relationship of love enables us to cross over the hill of joy. Until we find a way to like a task, we should not put our hands to it. God blesses the world when we enjoy what we do. (308:214, January 5, 1999) Blessed are those who have an unchanging internal standard of heart to worship Heaven, be harmonious with others, and love the earth. (Way of God’s Will 2.3) In order to attain the object of your sincerity, your mind must be unified. You must possess a single mind; you cannot have two minds. You must offer your sincerity with a single mind from the beginning to the end. Sincerity is not something you can lend to someone and then take back. Therefore, if your initial sincerity is not matched by equal sincerity in the middle and at the end, it cannot be called sincerity. (17:227-28, January 29, 1967) We cannot overcome with tricks or by talent, but only with sincerity. (42:228, March 14, 1971)
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2. Cultivate Sincerity before Taking Action Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Proverbs 4.23
The truly upright is that which flows out of your genuine innermost self as a result of the sincerity shown by the kami; on all occasions, you must exert this sincerity to the utmost, even in the most minor of your activities. Courtesy and ritual without this sincerity and honesty is mistaken and insufficient. It is like drawing a bow and merely releasing the string blindly without firming your hand, or like trying to move in a boat without an oar. Moshimasa Hikita, Records of the Divine Wind (Shinto)
Thoughts alone cause the round of births (samsara); let a man strive to purify his thoughts. What a man thinks, that he is: this is an old secret. By the serenity of his thoughts a man blots out all actions, whether good or bad. Dwelling within his Self with serene thoughts, he obtains imperishable happiness. If the thoughts of a man were so fixed on Brahman as they are on the things of this world, who would not then be freed from bondage? The mind, it is said, is of two kinds, pure and impure: impure from the contact with lust, pure when free from lust. When a man, having freed his mind from sloth, distraction, and vacillation, becomes as it were delivered from his mind, that is the highest point. Maitri Upanishad 6.34.3-7 (Hinduism)
What is meant by “making the will sincere” is allowing no self-deception, as when we hate a bad smell or love a beautiful color. This is called satisfying oneself. Therefore the superior man will always be watchful over himself when alone. When the inferior man is alone and leisurely, there is no limit to which he does not go in his
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evil deeds. Only when he sees a superior man does he then try to disguise himself, concealing his evil and showing off the good in him. But what is the use? For other people see him as if they see his very heart. This is what is meant by the saying that what is true in a man’s heart will be shown in his outward appearance. Therefore the superior man will always be watchful over himself when alone. Tseng Tzu said, “What ten eyes are beholding and what ten hands are pointing to— isn’t it frightening?” Wealth makes a house shining and virtue makes a person shining. When one’s mind is broad and his heart generous, his body becomes big and is at ease. Therefore the superior man always makes his will sincere.15 Great Learning 6.1-4 (Confucianism)
We should examine ourselves and learn what is the affection and purpose of the heart, for in this way only can we learn what we honestly are. Science and Health, p. 8 (Christian Science)
If, brethren, a woman or man or a young lad fond of self-adornment, on examining the reflection of his own face in a bright clean mirror or bowl of clear water, should see therein a stain or speck, he will strive to remove that stain or speck; and when he no longer sees it there he is pleased and satisfied, thinking, “A gain it is to me that I am clean.” Likewise a monk’s introspection is most fruitful in good conditions, thus: “Do I or do I not generally live covetous? Do I or do I not generally live malevolent in heart? Do I or do I not generally live possessed by sloth and torpor? Do I or do I not generally live excited in mind? Do I generally live in doubt and wavering, or have I crossed beyond it? Do I generally live wrathful or not? Do I generally live with soiled thoughts or clean thoughts? Do I generally live with body passionate or not? Do I generally live sluggish or full of energy? Do I generally live uncontrolled or well controlled?”
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If on self-examination a monk finds thus: “I generally live covetous, malevolent in heart, possessed by sloth and torpor, excited in mind, doubtful and wavering, wrathful, with body passionate, sluggish, uncontrolled”—then that
monk must put forth extra desire, effort, endeavor, exertion, impulse, mindfulness, and attention for the abandoning of those wicked, unprofitable states. Anguttara Nikaya 5.66 (Buddhism)
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon The saying, “Sincerity moves Heaven,” like “Faith will move mountains,” is a proverb in Korea, but truly it is also the natural order of things. The proverb, “Act with utmost sincerity,” means act with all your efforts, inside and outside, heart and soul. The proverb, “Practice everything with sincerity in your words and deeds,” means to completely unite your body and soul in a conscientious life. This means a life of dedication. We call it “utmost sincerity” or jeongseong. The Korean word jeong deals with the spirit, and song means the fulfillment of the Word. Thus jeongseong means fulfilling everything inwardly and outwardly and offering it .16 If you do everything with jeongseong you can “move Heaven.” (78:31, May 1, 1975) Usually, what percentage of your feelings turns out to be true? You should analyze the process of your life and gauge the results. You cannot assess whether God or the Devil is with you unless you can connect with your internal environment and analyze what percentage of your feelings are right and what percentage are wrong. Develop this mindfulness in your life of faith. If you develop such mindfulness, your feelings will accurately disclose what is coming your way. When you go out for a certain purpose, without even praying you will sense at your first step whether your journey will lead to something good or something bad. You will sense immediately whether it will make God happy or sad. You will be able to sense, “This pleases God” or “This pains God.” Develop your faith through experiencing the feelings of God in your inner self. (40:288, February 7, 1971) Do not bear a grudge, thinking, “This work is tiring, yet Reverend Moon never acknowledges me.” Were I always to praise your efforts, it would block the flow of your love and sincerity. By staying quiet, your sincerity and love can flow. Like water and air, love flows when there is a hole to flow into. (308:205, January 5, 1999) In your life of faith, do you have an explosive and stimulating power in the center of your heart which is moving unceasingly towards the world of God’s Will? When you have that heart, it is evident that God is with you. On the other hand, if you don’t have that power, it is evident that God is distant from you. When your heart is pouring out love for humankind, and you have the mind to share your life with others limitlessly, it is clear that you belong to Heaven. But if after awhile you become proud of your great love, then your self-centered love and proud self-centered values are evidence that God has begun to leave you. Be careful! People like that are not headed for heaven. Their self-centeredness will take them so far, and they will reach their limit. The world of self-centered limitations is different from the world God desires. (32:21-22, June 14, 1970) Therefore, you have to be able to empathize with Heaven and move God’s heart. Whenever you are in a quandary, it is a time to offer more sincerity, live more for the sake of others, and love more. (308:203, January 5, 1999)
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Human beings still affiliated with the fallen realm… must complete a revolution of conscience. This means that they must maintain a tradition of true love, true life, and true lineage in accordance with the predisposition of the original mind endowed in us by God. They must do this without even the smallest deviation, regardless of whatever worldly sovereignty or ideology they may encounter. They must live a life of “high noon settlement,” where they do not leave any shadow or even a speck of shame in the presence of God or the creation. The revolution of conscience is completed when our lives reach a state of one mind, one body, and one thought, and so establish an eternal and unchanging tradition as the ground of our pure love and pure lineage. The age of unity and harmony will blossom from that point. (January 27, 2004)
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Honesty HONESTY INCLUDES TELLING THE TRUTH, speaking truthfully what is on our mind and heart, keeping promises, and acting in accordance to our words. Honesty before God requires confessing our sins and confronting our particular propensity to do evil, along with repentance and the pledge to reform. Thus, Father Moon teaches that our prayers should be honest reports to God about our thoughts, words and deeds, plus setting goals and making determination about how we shall think, speak and act in the future.
1. Speaking Truthfully to Others and to God Let your conduct be marked by truthfulness in word, deed, and thought. Taittiriya Upanishad 1.11.1 (Hinduism)
Straightforwardness and honesty in the activities of one’s body, speech, and mind lead to an auspicious path. Tattvarthasutra 6.23 (Jainism)
Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord. Proverbs 12.22
Do not assert with your mouth what your heart denies. Tract of the Quiet Way (Taoism)
No man should talk one way with his lips and think another way in his heart.
Lying does not mean that one could not be rich; Treachery does not mean you may not live to old age; But it is the day of death [judgment] about which one should be baffled. If a lie runs for twenty years, it takes truth one day to catch up with it.
Talmud, Baba Metzia 49 (Judaism)
The truth got to market, but it was unsold; lying costs very little to buy.
Putting away falsehood, let everyone speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.
Yoruba Proverbs (African Traditional Religions)
Ephesians 4.25
One should speak the truth and speak it pleasingly; should not speak the truth in an unpleasant manner nor should one speak untruth because it is pleasing; this is the eternal law. Laws of Manu 4.138 (Hinduism)
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A gentleman is ashamed to let his words outrun his deeds. Analects 14.29 (Confucianism)
O you who believe, wherefore do you say what you do not? Very hateful is it to God, that you say what you do not. Qur’an 61.2-3
A speaker of falsehood reaches purgatory; and again so does one who, having done a misdeed, says, “I did not.” Both of them, men of base deeds, become equal in the other world. Dhammapada 306 (Buddhism)
If you plot and connive to deceive men, you may fool them for a while, and profit thereby,
but you will without fail be visited by divine punishment. To be utterly honest may have the appearance of inflexibility and self-righteousness, but in the end, such a person will receive the blessings of sun and moon. Follow honesty without fail. Oracle of Amaterasu at the Kotai Shrine (Shinto)
The Duke of She addressed Confucius saying, “In my country there was a man called Upright Kung. His father appropriated a sheep, and Kung bore witness against him.” Confucius said, “In my country the upright men are of quite another sort. A father will screen his son, and a son his father—which incidentally does involve a sort of uprightness.” Analects 13.18 (Confucianism)
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon Being truthful is an attribute of righteousness, and being dishonest is an attribute of unrighteousness. (364:226, January 3, 2000) When walking a path toward enlightenment, there should be no tricks or devices between the teacher and the student. You should be honest with each other. It means you should face each other with utmost sincerity. (33:125, August 11, 1970) Instead of clever patchwork to smooth over a situation in the moment, you should have a pure heart and patiently wait for God’s blessings. (127:89, May 5, 1983) Just as God is a unified being, your mind and the body should be one centering on Heaven. Your thoughts should flow from that unified point… In other words, your words and your deeds, your mind and your efforts, should be one. Only then are you protected. Only then will people testify to you and declare you a public person. (381:65, June 12, 2002) People should be honest. Honesty enables us to pass through anything. If you admit honestly when you make a mistake, you will develop. Goodness cannot grow without going through this process. Can people always do well? People make mistakes, but they must be honest about them if they are to develop. By honestly confessing and repenting for your mistakes you can make a new determination. Making a mistake is not bad; it can stimulate you to leap forward. A mistake can be a good thing if it motivates you to leap to the good side. For example, if you failed a test because you did not study, the shock and shame of failure can motivate you to become an honor student. The failing grade becomes an opportunity to change your direction towards the good.
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Therefore, you should be honest. People who try to hide their mistakes cannot develop. On the other hand, honest people develop because the universe pushes them and supports them wherever they go. Whether in the East or the West, in the past, present or future, an honest person is everyone’s friend. (100:87-88, October 8, 1978) Be an honest believer. You should be able to report honestly about yourself to God and say, “Father, I will be honest with you, so treat me honestly. You were honest with me when I appeared before you in righteousness. Now that I stand before you carrying the burden of an unrighteous heart, will you treat me the same way? Regardless, I will face you with the reality of what is in my heart. Deal with me according to your righteous judgment.” (45:242-43, July 4, 1971) I teach honesty, purity, and sacrifice from the standpoint of the Principle. First, a person must be honest in the presence of God. The Unification Principle teaches that falsehood separates us from God. I emphasize to our members that they are God’s emissaries and must identify themselves as my followers, even if it means they will be severely persecuted… Whoever does not have the courage to do so, we have no need of them. People who do not identify themselves out of fear of harassment will miss out on all the blessings that come as a result of persecution… I can understand that people who face constant harassment do such things, but I do not praise such behavior. (91:128, February 3, 1977)
❖ 2. Keeping Promises When a man vows a vow to the Lord, or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds from his mouth. Numbers 30.2
Fulfill the covenant of God once you have pledged it, and do not break any oaths once they have been sworn to. You have set up God as a Guarantee for yourselves; God knows everything you are doing. Do not be like a woman who unravels her yarn after its strands are firmly spun. Nor take your oaths in order to snatch at advantages over one another, to make one party more numerous than the other. For God will test you by this. Qur’an 16.91-92
When man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not, “Have you believed in God,” or “Have you prayed and performed ritual acts,” but “Have you dealt honorably, faithfully in all your dealings with your fellowman?” Talmud, Shabbat 31a (Judaism)
Tzu-chang asked about getting on with people. The Master said, “Be loyal and true to your every word, serious and careful in all you do, and you will get on well enough even though you find yourself among barbarians. But if you are disloyal and untrustworthy in your speech, frivolous and careless in your acts, even though you are among your own neighbors, how can you hope to get on well?” Analects 15.5 (Confucianism)
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon Once you have promised to give something to a friend, you should fulfill it without fail. Breaking a promise will stain your character. (Way of God’s Will 2.2)
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Making excuses [for not fulfilling one’s word] is not the way to have many virtuous friends, to be positively recognized by one’s superiors, or to be trusted by one’s subordinates. People who make excuses are generally losers. You should not make excuses whenever something unexpected happens. I never make excuses, even in the face of death. If confronted with the facts of the matter, I might wince with the answers, but I will never make excuses… Only honest people will survive and prevail over circumstances. We need to become honest believers more than anything else. (45:269, July 4, 1971) A person of character fulfills his promises. If you say, “You forced me to make that promise, and therefore I do not have to keep it,” then you are not a person of character. In the law, a contract is a promise made and agreed to in public. All the parties to the contract must keep their promises. After signing a contract, a person who does not fulfill his promise is punished by public regulations; hence keeping it is the responsibility of any law-abiding person. (31:13, April 8, 1970) You should become a person who can be entrusted with a precious treasure. (Way of God’s Will 2.2)
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Caution and Vigilance A PERSON WALKING THE ROAD OF LIFE MUST BE VIGILANT. It will not do to lead a carefree and casual existence. Moment by moment we face occasions to either do good or evil, either to remain faithful to principles or to violate them. There are snares and pitfalls along the way, and to fall into one could spell disaster. Hence we need caution, vigilance and mindfulness to survive and progress on the spiritual path. Hence, the world’s scripture call for vigilance, to be alert against any sin or diversion from a life lived in accordance with God’s Will. The Christian Bible warns that the Lord comes “like a thief in the night” and encourages constant wakefulness through such passages as the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Maidens. Islam calls us to constantly remember (zakara) God, His commandments, and His mercies, and reminds us through the duty of daily prayer. The Jewish sages recommended interpreting commandments strictly to place “a fence around the law,” so that there can be no possibility of transgression. The religions of the East promote meditative disciplines that train the aspirant to watch over his or her thoughts at all times. Father Moon affirms the need for vigilance at all times, and reminds us of the biblical figures of old who made serious mistakes due to momentary lapses in vigilance.
In fear and trembling, With caution and care, As though on the brink of a chasm, As though treading thin ice. Analects 8.3 (Confucianism)
Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Philippians 2.12
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A monk should step carefully in his walk, supposing everything to be a snare for him. Uttaradhyayana Sutra 4.7 (Jainism)
Even those who have much learning, Faith, and willing perseverance Will become defiled by a [moral] fall Due to the mistake of lacking alertness. Shantideva, Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life 5.26 (Buddhism)
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The Master said, “Danger arises when a man feels secure in his position. Destruction threatens when a man seeks to preserve his worldly estate. Confusion develops when a man has put everything in order. Therefore the superior man does not forget danger in his security, nor ruin when he is well established, nor confusion when his affairs are in order. In this way he gains personal safety and is able to protect the empire. In the I Ching it is said: ‘What if it should fail? What if it should fail?’ In this way he ties it to a cluster of mulberry shoots [makes success certain].” I Ching, Great Commentary 2.5.9 (Confucianism)
Misfortune is the root of good fortune; Good fortune gives birth to misfortune. Who knows where is the turning point?
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I seek union with the Good Mind, And I forbid all traffic with the wicked. Avesta, Yasna 49.3 (Zoroastrianism)
Only when a man will not do some things is he capable of doing great things. Mencius IV.B.8 (Confucianism)
Forsake the outward sin, and the inward; surely the earners of sin shall be recompensed for what they have earned. Qur’an 6.120
Do only such actions as are blameless… If at any time there is doubt with regard to right conduct, follow the practice of great souls, who are guileless, of good judgment, and devoted to truth. Taittiriya Upanishad 1.11.2, 4 (Hinduism)
Tao Te Ching 58 (Taoism)
What is lawful is obvious, and what is unlawful is obvious; and between them are matters which are ambiguous and of which many people are ignorant. Hence, he who is careful in regard to the ambiguous has justified himself in regard to his religion and his honor; but he who stumbles in the ambiguous has stumbled in the forbidden, as the shepherd pasturing around a sanctuary is on the verge of pasturing in it. Is it not true that every king has a sanctuary, and is not the sanctuary of God that which He has forbidden? Forty Hadith of an-Nawawi 6 (Islam)
Rabbi Akiba said, “Laughter and levity accustom a man to immorality. Tradition is a fence for Torah. Tithes are a fence for riches. Vows are a fence for saintliness. A fence for wisdom is silence.” Mishnah, Avot 3.17 (Judaism)
Just as a wealthy merchant with only a small escort avoids a perilous route; just as one desiring to live avoids poison; even so should one shun evil things. Dhammapada 123 (Buddhism)
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Men of understanding [are] such as remember God, standing, sitting, and reclining. Qur’an 3.190-91
Be mindful when you are alone, in the shadow of your coverlet. Tract of the Quiet Way (Taoism)
If while going, standing, sitting or reclining when awake, a thought of sensuality, hatred or aggressiveness arises in a monk, and he tolerates it, does not reject, discard, and eliminate it, does not bring it to an end, that monk, who in such a manner is ever and again lacking in earnest endeavor and moral shame, is called indolent and void of energy. If while going, standing, sitting, or reclining when awake, a thought of sensuality, hatred, or aggressiveness arises in a monk, and he does not tolerate it, but rejects, discards, and eliminates it, brings it to an end, that monk, who in such a manner ever and again shows earnest endeavor and moral shame, is called energetic and resolute. Itivuttaka 110 (Buddhism)
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The kingdom of Heaven shall be compared to ten maidens who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, “Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.” Then all those maidens rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, “Give us some
of your oil, for our lamps are going out.” But the wise replied, “Perhaps there will not be enough for us and for you; go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.” And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast; and the door was shut. Afterward the other maidens came also, saying, “Lord, lord, open to us.” But he replied, “Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.” Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. Matthew 25.1-13
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon You, the young ones, are standing at the crossroads of good and evil. If you take one wrong step, you might fall into a steep and deep pit of death. Although it is difficult, take the step that will let you stand tall. Then you can be victorious princes and princesses who look out at the hope for a shining tomorrow that lies on the broad plane. Therefore, you need to watch each step. Be careful as you walk on the snow-covered road. (59:214, July 16, 1972) The greater you become, the more you have to watch under your feet. The smaller you become, the more you have to look up to Heaven. (Way of God’s Will) Be careful about the words you speak, be careful about what your eyes see, and be careful about the words you hear. Do not listen to self-centered remarks; do not look at selfish deeds; do not even talk to the person who lives selfishly; and do not make excuses for yourself. (93:319, June 12, 1977) To be public means to live for the whole, and to be private means to live for the self. When you calmly evaluate yourself, you may find yourself in a quandary over what is public and what is private. Therefore, religion teaches fasting, suffering, modesty and humility, in order to restrain the body, which is inclined to be self-centered. (149:271, November 27, 1986) Think once, twice and three times before you act. (93:320, June 12, 1977) An unwarranted or improper statement can ruin your entire life. Hearing one unrighteous word can ruin your entire life. One wrong action can also ruin your life. Making a wrong friend can also lead you to ruin your life. Hence, many saints and sages have taught that we should be cautious about what we hear, say, and do, and about whom we take for friends. East or West, past or present, this philosophy is true. On the other hand, one righteous, good statement at the opportune time can bring total, dramatic success to a life. Hearing the right things at the right moment can lead to a decision that will make an entire life successful. One right action at the right time can bring great success. It is the same with making a friend; for example, a sister here could go out to the street, meet a good man and have one conversation. That could be enough to initiate a friendship that leads to him becoming her husband. (91:29-30, January 2, 1977)
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The road to misfortune does not ordinarily start from a major crisis. More often it is a trivial matter that opens the door to great unhappiness. It is hard to overcome even a small difficulty as long as your thinking is self-centered. Therefore, you should think twice about what you are doing. In analyzing great mistakes or serious crimes we invariably find that if the person had thought of the impact his actions would have on the well-being of others, he probably would not have committed such a blunder… Particularly when we are faced with making an important decision, you are liable to choose the path to misfortune unless you stop to think twice before you act, to check whether your thinking is public or self-centered. Those who reason from selfishness are truly their own worst enemy. (93:298, June 12, 1977) The fall of Adam and Eve was not the result of a planned failure that took one year or ten years. Their failure was brought forth in one moment, and that failure of a moment became the base for the corruption of the Kingdom that had been in preparation for millions of years. When we think about this, we realize how fearful one moment is. Due to the failure of a single moment, people walking the religious path in every age have had to pay a price of great suffering. Numerous secular people too have been ruined by a single misstep of a moment. All their subsequent suffering became part of a tremendous sacrificial offering, for indemnity. When we understand this, every hour that we ordinarily live so casually becomes fearful, even a single second within that hour, and we want to exert ourselves to make it a success. Every hour in your daily life is fearful, even each minute of every hour. Know how to struggle for every moment. For apart from one moment, Heaven cannot exist. (37:219, December 27, 1970) If only Noah had been more prudent in the days after the flood, he would not have become drunk and lain naked. Would he have done such a thing if he had thought it over a bit more? With just a little more prudence and patience, he would not have allowed himself to get drunk. We can definitely say his mission would have succeeded if he had continued to be prudent. Likewise, when Abraham was making his offering, why did he only divide two of the three offerings and neglect to cut the birds? He would not have made the mistake if he had thought more carefully as he was arranging the offering. (99:39, August 27, 1978) When Jacob was receiving his trial from Heaven, he never relaxed his mental vigilance for a moment. (3:337, February 9, 1958)
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Prudent Speech A LOOSE OR MALICIOUS TONGUE can cause much suffering. Evil speech can destroy friendships, ruin reputations and generate needless prejudice. It can be argued that if Jesus hadn’t been surrounded by rumors and gossip, he could have won far more acceptance by the people of his day. Since talk can cause damage to others and to oneself, one’s words should be weighed carefully.
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Therefore, before we speak, we should carefully consider whether our words will be edifying or damaging to others. Before we repeat a tale we have heard, we should first ascertain whether it is true. Before we talk about doing something, we should carefully consider if we are ready to do it ourselves. Therefore, a wise person is one of few words. Good parents train their children to be well mannered and not speak overly much at meals.
You shall not go up and down as a talebearer among your people. Leviticus 19.16
Speak not harshly to anyone. Those thus addressed will retort. Painful, indeed, is vindictive speech. Blows in exchange may bruise you. Dhammapada 133 (Buddhism)
If the ear does not hear malicious gossip, the heart is not grieved. Yoruba Proverb (African Traditional Religions)
False words are not only evil in themselves, but they infect the soul with evil. Plato, Phaedo (Hellenism)
Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment men will render account for every careless word they utter; for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. Matthew 12.35-37
The tongue is an unrighteous world among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the cycle of nature, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by humankind, but no human being can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the likeness of God. James 3.6-9
The origin of all trouble within this world is a single word spoken in haste. Moritake Arakida, One Hundred Poems about the World (Shinto)
Let him who believes in Allah and the last day either speak good or be silent. Forty Hadith of an-Nawawi 15 (Islam)
A noisy bird builds a bad nest.
When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is prudent. Proverbs 10.19
The Messenger of God… took hold of his tongue and said, “Restrain this.” I said, “O Prophet of God, will what we say be held against us?” He said, “May your mother be bereaved of you, Mu‘adah! Is there anything that topples people on their faces into hell-fire other than the harvests of their tongues?” Forty Hadith of an-Nawawi 29 (Islam)
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Kanufi Proverb (African Traditional Religions)
To be always talking is against nature. For the same reason a hurricane never lasts a whole morning, nor a rainstorm all day. Who is it that makes the wind and rain? It is Heaven and earth. And if even Heaven and earth cannot blow or pour for long, how much less in his utterances should man? Tao Te Ching 23 (Taoism)
The Master said, “Where disorder develops, words are the first steps. If the prince is not discreet, he loses his servant. If the servant is not
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discreet, he loses his life. If germinating things are not handled with discretion, the perfecting of them is impeded.”
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A person is born with an axe in his mouth. He whose speech is unwholesome cuts himself with his axe. When a person praises someone who should be blamed, or attacks someone worthy of praise, then this man is accumulating evil with his mouth and this evil will not lead to happiness. It is little harm if one loses money in gambling with dice, even losing everything, including oneself; but if one bears ill-will towards well-conducted ones it is greater harm indeed. Insulting men of real worth, bearing ill-will in thought and speech, leads to eons upon eons in the states of misery.
You who believe, if some perverse man should come up to you with some piece of news, clear up the facts lest you afflict some folk out of ignorance and some morning feel regretful for what you may have done… You who believe, do not let one folk ridicule another folk. Perhaps they are better than they are. Nor let women mistreat other women; perhaps they are better than themselves. Nor should you find fault with one another nor shout at one another using nicknames; it is bad to use a dirty name instead of one you can believe in. Those who do not turn away from it are wrongdoers. You who believe, refrain from being overly suspicious: some suspicion is a crime. Do not spy on one another, nor yet any of you slander others. Would one of you like to eat his dead brother’s flesh? You would loathe it! Heed God, for God is Relenting, Merciful.
Sutta Nipata 657-60 (Buddhism)
Qur’an 49.6-12
I Ching, Great Commentary 1.8.10 (Confucianism)
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon You must not bring harm to others by your words. (Way of God’s Will 2.1) If you mistakenly utter just one wrong word among your colleagues, that one wrong word can break the bond between you. With one wrong word, both you and the person who hears that word will suffer. (89:116, November 1, 1976) Words are so powerful. One wrong word can damage many people and even destroy the world. A loving word only flourishes and develops. It may include some rough language, but as long as it is spoken out of love the whole universe rejoices. A word can be a fearful thing. If I speak a word of truth, you might be caught in its judgment. Maybe you were laughing a second before, but immediately you become very serious. Then if I say, “I will forget and forgive everything you have done,” you will feel a great weight off your shoulders by that one simple phrase. (91:91, January 30, 1977) I had to pray for three weeks as a result of uttering one careless word. (Way of God’s Will 2.2) Satan’s weapon is to create division by criticizing. Satan whispers, “That person has this and that bad point. Stay away from him.” He creates divisions by continually whispering in your ears something bad about another person. Should you ignore these criticisms or gossip about them to others? If you gossip, you are on the side of Satan. (215:240, February 20, 1991) When you are investing your effort, don’t nag or complain. Close your mouth, be quiet, and just give. Your silence signifies that you are the owner. You will become the pole that can welcome the
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dawn’s twilight and the morning sunshine.17 Is not the dawn a time of tranquil silence? (325:117, June 30, 2000) In the past, noble families trained their children not to speak carelessly, especially in the morning. They taught them to speak only when spoken to. Such manners are also required in our life of faith. (40:73-74, January 24, 1971) If you work much and speak little, you will be a winner. But if you do little and speak much, you will be a loser. (Way of God’s Will 2.2)
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Moderation Moderation is universally regarded as a virtue. Excessive behavior of any kind—stinginess or profligacy, mortification of the flesh or licentiousness, self-righteousness or abject submissiveness—should be eschewed in favor of the Golden Mean or Middle Path. However, each tradition has its distinctive emphasis. Aristotle’s classic statement of the Golden Mean emphasizes the work of reason in finding the middle and keeping to it. The role of wisdom to know the mean is reflected in the popular Christian prayer, “God, grant me the serenity to accept what cannot be changed, the courage to change what should be changed, and the wisdom to know the difference.” The Buddha’s Middle Path defines the religious life as threading a line between grasping at being and taking refuge in nothingness. Throughout the history of Buddhism, philosophers and practitioners have sought to define this middle way between withdrawal from the world and social engagement, between effort at spiritual growth and attacking the pride that can arise with its attainment, and so on—an enduring dialectic. The Confucian mean is about personal balance, which is manifest in one’s actions and in the harmony of one’s relationships. These traditional expressions of the mean are about individual behavior. Father Moon’s description of the mean, on the other hand, has a global outlook. The mean is achieved when a person’s individual balance is substantiated in harmonious relationships with others and then pursues actions in society to bring together high and low, rich and poor, black and white to form a level “horizon” of life.
Moral virtue is a mean… between two vices, the one involving excess, the other deficiency, and its character is to aim at what is intermediate in passions and in actions… Hence also it is no easy task to be good. For in everything it is no easy task to find the middle. Just as to find the middle of a circle is not for everyone but for him who knows; so, too, anyone can get angry—that is easy—or to give or spend money; but to do this to the right person, to the right extent, at the right time, with the right aim, and in the right way, that is not for every one, nor is it easy. Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics II.9 (Hellenism)
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The servants of the Most Gracious are… those who, when they spend, are not extravagant and not niggardly, but hold a just balance between those extremes. Qur’an 25.67
Be not righteous overmuch, and do not make yourself overwise; why should you destroy yourself? Be not wicked overmuch, neither be a fool; why should you die before your time? Ecclesiastes 7.16-17
In practicing the ordinary virtues and in the exercise of care in ordinary conversation, when
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there is deficiency, the superior man never fails to make further effort, and where there is excess, never dares to go to the limit. Doctrine of the Mean 13.4 (Confucianism)
With regard to honor and dishonor the mean is proper pride, the excess is known as a sort of empty vanity, and the deficiency undue humility. Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics II.7 (Hellenism)
The master said, “‘The Ospreys!’ Pleasure not carried to the point of debauch; grief not carried to the point of self-injury.”18 Analects 3.20 (Confucianism)
Be generous but not extravagant; be frugal but not miserly. Nahjul Balagha, Saying 32 (Shiite Islam)
Remember, no human condition is ever permanent. Then you will not be overjoyed in good fortune nor too scornful in misfortune. Socrates (Hellenism)
That things have being, O Kaccana, constitutes one extreme of doctrine; that things have no being is the other extreme. These extremes have been avoided by the Tathagata, and it is a middle doctrine he teaches.19 Samyutta Nikaya 22.90 (Buddhism)
However hungry you are, you do not eat with both hands.20 Akan Proverb (African Traditional Religions)
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Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, “Who is the Lord?” or lest I be poor, and steal, and profane the name of my God. Proverbs 30.8-9
Your fame or your person, which is dearer? Your person or your goods, which is worth more? Gain or loss, which is the greater bane? That is why excessive meanness is sure to lead to great expense; Too much store is sure to end in immense loss. Know contentment, and you will suffer no disgrace; Know when to stop, and you will meet with no danger. You can then endure. Tao Te Ching 44 (Taoism)
While there are no stirrings of pleasure, anger, sorrow, or joy, the mind may be said to be in a state of equilibrium (chung). When those feelings have been stirred, and they act in their due degree, there ensues what may be called the state of harmony (ho). This equilibrium is the great root from which grow all the human actions in the world, and this harmony is the universal path which they all should pursue. Let the states of equilibrium and harmony exist in perfection, and a happy order will prevail throughout heaven and earth, and all things will be nourished and flourish. Doctrine of the Mean 1.4-5 (Confucianism)
Eat and drink, but waste not by excess: for God loves not the wasters. Qur’an 7.31
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon What does it mean to live by the norm? A person takes the middle path, seeking harmony by adopting the mean in all aspects of life. The middle path does not lean to one side in its affections. You can attain it when you do not have a preference for high or low, but proceed in harmony with all. Be a person who lives by the norm, by taking the middle path. (120:224, October 17, 1982)
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Sin, destruction and evil arise from taking a personal standpoint. If a person’s personal property exceeds a certain limit, it becomes evil. There is a limit to how much of a person’s life should be devoted to personal affairs, and once a person transgresses that limit, his life becomes evil. Then he is bound to decline, sinning more and more. (31:165, May 24, 1970) God gives each person a certain quota of material substance to consume here on earth. Suppose you were allocated a large amount, but you say, “No, I don’t need that much. I will use as little of it as possible.” In that case, all the rest of the material wealth that God allocated to you would be transferred to your children and your posterity. Any people or nation with this kind of attitude will prosper. (161:126, January 11, 1987) A well-rounded person is one who fits the four directions. (Way of God’s Will 2.2) Let’s say that the white race represents the day and black race represents the night. Then if white people don’t like black people, it is like the day not liking the night. Can this situation continue? The cycle of day and night is balanced, half and half. Any people that goes against nature will perish. Does one of your eyes look up and the other look down? No, they are at the same level. When you breathe through your nose, can one nostril point up and the other down? No. Everything on your face is in harmony and balance. Likewise, people who disregard the balance of the universe will disappear. Therefore, those WASPs who insist on white supremacy are scoffed at by young people throughout the world; they are in decline. Likewise, American young people are dying and American families are breaking down because there is a fundamental imbalance between the individual and the family. (339:139-40, December 10, 2000) Something new and great emerges from the union of the East and the West. For this reason, many of the children born from international couples are geniuses. (376:277, April 19, 2002) Without a horizon, the equilibrium that is conducive to unity cannot last. Hence, we must preserve the horizon and keep it level. To establish a level horizon, we begin by finding balance in a subjectobject relationship. Subject and object partners exist to make absolute balance. Next, the balanced subject and object partners make their surrounding horizon level. We cannot make it level all at once. It requires balancing the high and the low, and making adjustments along the way. After making our surroundings level, we attain the standard for eternal settlement. Unity emerges at this point, unity around the [subject and object partners] at the center. Hence, you should understand that balance, the horizon, and unity form a trinity. Among these three where does God abide? He dwells in the unity. Yet unity requires a level horizon, and a level horizon requires balance. The world of balance, horizon and unity breaks apart if even one of them is lacking. (298:168-69, January 1, 1999)
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Modesty SCRIPTURE’S CONCERNS ABOUT MODEST DRESS and minimal use of makeup are for promoting a chaste inner life. One’s outward appearance reflects one’s mind. A painted face and immodest dress are advertisements for a wanton mind, while simple apparel and a natural, unadorned face are characteristic of a gentle and pure spirit. Beauty can be divine or a cause of temptation—it depends upon the motivation. In this regard, Father Moon asks some revealing questions: “For whom do you put on makeup, for your husbands or for other men?” and “Do you adorn yourself to attract others to love you or to spread your love to others?”
1. Modesty in Dress Women should adorn themselves modestly and sensibly in seemly apparel, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly attire but by good deeds, as befits women who profess religion. 1 Timothy 2.9-11
Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and be modest. That is purer for them. Lo! God is Aware of what they do. And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and be modest, and to display of their adornment only that which is apparent, and to draw their veils over their bosoms, and not to reveal their adornment save to their own husbands or fathers… or children who know naught of women’s nakedness. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And turn unto God together, O believers, in order that ye may succeed.21 Qur’an 24.30-32
Let not yours be the outward adorning with braiding of hair, decoration of gold, and wearing of fine clothing, but let it be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable jewel of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. So once the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves and were submissive to their husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. 1 Peter 3.3-5
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Woman, before decking yourself, make yourself acceptable to your Lord, Lest He should visit not your couch, and your makeup be gone to waste. In the woman finding acceptance with her Lord, lies beauty of her makeup. Should her makeup be acceptable, shall she have love of her Lord. Let her deck herself in fear of the Lord, joy in God her perfume, Love her sustenance. Dedicating body and mind to her Lord, let her in love to Him be united. Adi Granth, Var Suhi, M.3, p. 788 (Sikhism)
In The Book of Songs it is said, Over her brocaded robe She wore a plain and simple dress, In that way showing her dislike of the loudness of its color and magnificence. Thus the ways of the moral man are unobtrusive and yet they grow more and more in power and evidence; whereas the ways of the vulgar person are ostentatious, but lose more and more in influence until they perish and disappear. The life of the moral man is plain, and yet not unattractive; it is simple, and yet full of grace; it is easy, and yet methodical. He knows that accomplishment of great things consists in doing little things well. He knows
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that great effects are produced by small causes. He knows the evidence and reality of what cannot be perceived by the senses. Thus he is enabled to enter into the world of ideas and morals.
The body is impure, bad-smelling, and replete with various kinds of stench which trickle here and there. If one, possessed of such a body, thinks highly of him or herself and despises others, that is due to nothing other than lack of insight.22
Doctrine of the Mean 33 (Confucianism)
Sutta Nipata 205-06 (Buddhism)
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon One woman uses makeup to enhance her beauty; another is beautiful without makeup. Between the two, whose face is more in harmony when she smiles? Little children are beautiful. How would it be if you put makeup on their faces, lipstick and eye shadow? Think how ugly and unnatural they would look. From God’s point of view, from the vantage point of His great age, you are younger than a new baby. When God sees us humans wearing makeup and enjoying it, I think He might feel far more displeased than we would on seeing a made-up baby lying in a crib. (97:49-50, February 26, 1978) In the sight of God, fallen human beings are so ugly and dirty and distorted that He does not want to look at them. He does not want to smell them or get anywhere near them. Nevertheless, women believe that God would prefer to see them in church wearing makeup, jewelry and their best clothing. It is ridiculous and pathetic! (94:42, June 26, 1977) Do you women put on makeup for your husbands, or to look attractive to other men? Generally, a husband does not like his wife’s makeup. He might say that her manicured fingernails look like fox claws. Actually, they can be dangerous. Does a loving husband want to touch those claws? If he liked his wife’s nail polish, he would ask her to put it on everyday. Have you ever heard of a husband who gives his wife manicures? I don’t know of any. Women who put on makeup are not responding to their husbands; they responding to Satan’s electrical waves. (201:104-05, March 11, 1990) Women should always look beautiful, even if it requires using makeup and perfume. A wife should not be indebted to her husband in emotional life. She should always concern herself with her husband’s body and clothes. If he comes home tired, she should prepare water for him to wash his face… A woman’s smile is the flower of the family. To establish a harmonious family, a wife needs to be a first-class actress in both comedy and tragedy. Whether her husband is joyful or sad, she should have the ability to completely melt him all the time. (27:88, November 26, 1969) Do you women put on makeup in front of the mirror, thinking, “I am going to attract the attention of a lot of men by looking beautiful”? Or do you think, “I want to look pretty in order to spread joy to others”? Which is it? You are thinking to look beautiful so others may think well of you and be attracted to you. That way of thinking is Satan’s way. Why are butterflies colorful and flowers beautiful? Their beauty spreads joy to the whole creation. It would be okay to wear makeup if you were thinking, “I am putting on makeup to make the world more beautiful, like a flower or a butterfly.” It is not the makeup a woman wears but her motivation for wearing it that determines whether she is on the side of heaven or hell. (129:316-17, December 1, 1983)
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2. Modesty in Manners and Deportment Turn not your cheek in scorn toward folk, nor walk with pertness in the land. Lo! God loves not each braggart boaster. Be modest in your bearing and subdue your voice. Lo! the harshest of all voices is the voice of the ass. Qur’an 31.18-19
Because the daughters of Zion are haughty and walk with outstretched necks, glancing wantonly with their eyes, mincing along as they go, tinkling with their feet; the Lord will smite with a scab the heads of the daughters of Zion, and the Lord will lay bare their secret parts.
He who beholds a beautiful woman should say, “Blessed be He who hath created such in His universe.” But is even mere looking permitted? The following can surely be raised as an objection: “Thou shalt keep from every evil thing” [Deut. 23.10] implies that one should not look intently at a beautiful woman, even if she be unmarried, nor at a married woman, even if she be ugly, nor at a woman’s gaudy garments, nor at male and female asses or at a pig and a sow or at fowls when they are mating. Talmud, Avoda Zara 20ab (Judaism)
Isaiah 3.16-17
Easy is the life of a shameless one who is as impudent as a crow, back-biting, presumptuous, arrogant and corrupt.
If you are handsome, do not go astray after lewdness, but honor your Creator, and fear Him, and praise Him with the beauty which He has given you.
Hard is the life of a modest one who seeks purity, is detached, humble, clean living and reflective.
Pesikta Rabbati 127a (Judaism)
Dhammapada 244-45 (Buddhism)
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon We must uphold etiquette proper to the law of love. When your parents-in-law come to see you, can you tell them, “Father, mother, please wait until we finish kissing”? We must have modesty and observe proper etiquette. A man must keep the etiquette proper to a husband, and a wife the courtesy proper to a wife. (112:65, March 29, 1981) Children in reputable families are raised to be prudent in all things. Every step taken, every word uttered, every action contemplated must be prudent. Manners are complex, and it’s not easy to master them. What child likes to mind his manners? In this age of permissiveness no one cares much about manners, yet they are critical. If we don’t teach young people manners, it’s our own ruination: our family has no future. Families with noble traditions contain many useful educational resources for teaching their children how to relate well with adults, with siblings, and with parents. (42:17, February 19, 1971) Women chased Elvis Presley wherever he performed. They tried to touch him and grab him and even jump on him. If he had announced, “Any woman who likes me can come to see me tonight,” undoubtedly there would be a long line of women at his door, many leaving their husbands behind.
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Do singers like Elvis Presley and sports champions fulfill a good purpose or an evil purpose? Generally these superstars influence the world in a satanic way. Men and women who carefully groom their appearance and dress in the most elegant fashions generally have a satanic effect on the world. (122:263, November 21, 1982)
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Chastity CHASTITY IS TO CONTROL ONE’S SEXUAL DESIRE: to refrain from premarital sex and to have sexual relations only with one’s spouse. Chastity requires the institution of marriage for its most joyful fulfillment. The extreme asceticism of a celibate monk or nun is a vocation only for the few, those who are willing to sacrifice continually the God-given desire to love and be loved. God created us to love, form families and raise children to propagate the human race. In this regard, sexuality within marriage is a wonderful gift, a joyful experience and a blessing of God. However, as fallen human beings we do not naturally discipline our sexual desires to be employed in a faithful marriage bond. That requires training, and religions have traditionally served this purpose. Religions teach that adultery is among the most serious sins. They train the mind to subdue the desires of the flesh, and set boundaries on behavior to avoid temptation to sin. They lift up marriage as a holy institution. However, in today’s secular society, people have forgotten the discipline of desire. Promiscuity and “free sex” are everywhere, promising instant happiness but yielding disappointment, heartbreak, and broken homes. Marriage is under attack, and many young people are cohabiting rather than marrying, largely because they no longer believe that they can make a lasting marriage. As the original standard of faithful marriage is forgotten, homosexuality and lesbianism are gaining acceptance as alternative lifestyles. Father Moon speaks passionately and directly about this topic. Based upon his teaching that the Human Fall was an act of illicit love, he sees the misuse of love as the root of all sins, crimes, unhappiness and suffering in human life. (See Chapter 6) The Fall caused people to devalue love and use it wrongly. Therefore, he calls us to elevate love to its original, heavenly purpose as the linking point between human beings and God. Sex in marriage should be a holy act, what he calls ‘absolute sex.’ Love between husband and wife should have the same absoluteness as God’s love for us. Anything less creates separation from God.
1. Refrain from Adultery, the Most Serious Sin Neither fornicate, for whosoever does that shall meet the price of sin— doubled shall be the chastisement for him on the Resurrection Day.
Whoever has illicit affairs with the wives of his relatives or friends, either by force or by mutual consent, he is to be known as an outcaste. Sutta Nipata 123 (Buddhism)
Qur’an 25.68-69
Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled; for God will judge the immoral and the adulterous. Hebrews 13.4
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But fornication and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as if fitting among saints. Let there be no filthiness, nor silly talk, nor levity,23 which are not fitting; but instead let there be thanksgiving. Be sure of this, that no fornicator or impure
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man… has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for it is because of these things that the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Ephesians 5.3-6
Approach not adultery: for it is a shameful deed and an evil, opening the road to other evils. Qur’an 17.32
He who commits adultery is punished both here and hereafter; for his days in this world are cut short, and when dead he falls into hell. Vishnu Purana 3.11 (Hinduism)
Now Joseph was handsome and good-looking. And after a time his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph, and said, “Lie with me.” But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Lo, having me my master has no concern about anything in the house, and he has put everything that he has in my hand; he is not greater in this house than I am; nor has he kept back anything from me except yourself, because you are his wife; how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” Genesis 39.6-9
Four misfortunes befall a careless man who commits adultery: acquisition of demerit, disturbed sleep, third, blame; and fourth, a state of woe. There is acquisition of demerit as well as evil destiny. Brief is the joy of the frightened man and woman. The king imposes a heavy punishment. Hence no man should frequent another man’s wife. Dhammapada 309-10 (Buddhism)
Drink water from your own cistern, flowing water from your own well. Should your springs be scattered abroad, streams of water in the streets?
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Let them be for yourself alone, and not for strangers with you. Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, a lovely hind, a graceful doe. Let her affection fill you at all times with delight, be infatuated always by her love. Why should you be infatuated, my son, with a loose woman and embrace the bosom of an adventuress? For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the Lord, and he watches all his paths. The iniquities of the wicked ensnare him, and he is caught in the toils of his sin. He dies for lack of discipline, and because of his great folly he is lost. Proverbs 5.15-23
For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from unchastity; that each one of you know how to take a wife for himself in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like heathen who do not know God. 1 Thessalonians 4.3-5
The body is not meant for immorality, but for the Lord… Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I therefore take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who joins himself a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two shall become one flesh.” But he who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Shun immorality. Every other sin which a man commits is outside the body; but the immoral man sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. 1 Corinthians 6.13-20
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Teachings of Sun Myung Moon Violating and misusing love is the gravest of all sins. Men and women who have been victimized by love often want to commit suicide and throw away their lives. Hence, we should know that committing a sin against love is worse than murder. (92:79, March 20, 1977) The critical point in life where Adam and Eve and innumerable heroes and spiritual masters throughout history have failed is the matter of the purity of their sexual love. It is a problem that no one today can solve, not the family, nor the school, the church or the government. I teach the best plan to keep purity: ‘absolute sex.’ What is absolute sex? Once joined in marriage, your relationship to your spouse is eternal. You form an absolute love relationship that will never change under any circumstances. How can that be? It is because as husband and wife you love each other within God’s eternal and absolute love. Absolute sex is not an obligation only for women; it also applies to men. It is Heaven’s principle that all men and women must keep. On the other hand, free sex is a wicked trend that should be completely eradicated from the planet earth. The things associated with free sex—drugs, violence, homosexuality, and HIV/AIDS—only drive humanity down the path to destruction. (288:283-84, November 30, 1997) Free sex is like a poisonous snake. Its head is like a man’s sexual organ and its open mouth is like a woman’s sexual organ. One bite from this poisonous snake can spread HIV/AIDS. One bite forever cuts down the ideal world… How can people conquer this snake, employing only their conscience? Coming to their aid, the religions of the world have always taught how to subdue the flesh. They have always commanded, “Do not drink, smoke or engage in free sex!” Only love that is absolute, unique, unchanging and eternal can eradicate free sex. The feeling you get from drugs or alcohol or free sex cannot compare to the absolute joy and stimulation of absolute sex. In absolute sex all the cells in the body and mind activate and connect to the one center. It is supreme ecstasy, far beyond the intoxication of alcohol or drugs. Within its essence lie absolute freedom, absolute happiness, absolute hope, and the absolute fulfillment of all one’s dreams. This is true love… Where is the place where all the cells want to unite? It is [the partner’s] sexual organ. All creatures desire to arrive at their partner’s sexual organ as their final destination. The sexual organs are the connecting point for love, life, lineage and conscience. [Depending on how they are used,] they are the beginning point of heaven or hell. (279:174-75, August 4, 1996) Why do we say that one man must love only one woman? What’s wrong with the American lifestyle of one-night stands? Why should we have only one love? Why should there be only one man for one woman? What’s wrong with a man loving several different women and a woman loving several different men? It is wrong because it lacks true love. What is true love? A man’s true love and a woman’s true love is the same. True love does not belong to the man or the woman, but it is the one love that unites both. That is why every man asks his sweetheart, “Do you love me?” and every woman asks her man the same question. Everyone asks their partner, “How much do you love me?” and they answer each other, “I love you more than the universe.” (118:291, June 20, 1982) Some married men, when they see a pretty woman, think how nice it would be if she were their wife. Such a person has two minds. We call him a man with the mind of a thief. Satan started from
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two minds; thus it is right to call such a man with two minds “Satan.” He is no different from Satan. (Blessing and Ideal Family 1.2.6) The sexual organ is the most fearful of the senses, because love was the cause of the Human Fall. That is why religions treat adultery as the most serious sin. The free sex that we see in the modern world today is an extension of hell. It is hell on earth and hell in the spirit world. It will entirely perish. (261:303-04, July 24, 1994) Love, life, and lineage want to attach themselves to the sexual organs of men and women. They are the place to connect with God. They are the place where the Original Parent of all human beings comes and visits us. The sexual organs are the palace of love, palace of life, palace of lineage, and the palace of conscience. They are the starting point. Without them, we cannot find love; without them, we cannot find life. Without them, there would be no way for the life in a man and the life in a woman to meet as one. They are where a man and a woman meet and where a lineage comes into being. Your conscience, too, must be in accord with your sexual organ or it cannot manifest correctly. Each of us has love; each of us has life, and each of us has a lineage. Inquiring where they come from, we learn that they are linked to our parents’ sexual organs. They are linked to the love that is in our parents’ sexual organs. That is how precious these organs are. The core of all the ideal traditions of the universe flows through their gates. The living water of eternal life flows from them. To become eternal living water, there must be love. So love is the most important. That is how precious these organs are. In nature, precious things, treasures, do not lie in plain view. Instead, they are hidden. Is this not true of gold? It is hidden, distributed in layers of feldspar or other rocks. However, as the result of the human fall, all this was turned upside down. Each woman now thinks that her sexual organ is her own, but it is not hers. A man can never perfect his love without his wife’s sexual organ. Likewise, a woman cannot maintain her love forever unless she has her husband’s sexual organ to bring love to her. As long as men and women regard their sexual organs as their own, they cannot realize eternal love. Rather, they must exchange their sexual organs. The owner of a man’s organ is his wife, and the owner of a woman’s organ is her husband… Will a new key fit two different locks? These days some knuckleheaded professors talk about free sex, and say this represents the liberation of love, or the emancipation of sex. They are thieves, and this world has become hell on earth because of such thinking. (300:320-21, April 15, 1999)
❖ 2. Young People Should Be Abstinent before Marriage How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to thy word. Psalm 119.9
So shun youthful passions and aim at righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call upon the Lord from a pure heart.
Those who abstain from sex, Except with those joined to them in the marriage bond… These will be the heirs who will inherit Paradise. Qur’an 23.5-11
2 Timothy 2.22
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Let those who cannot find the wherewithal for marriage keep themselves chaste, until God gives them means out of His grace… Do not force your slave-girls into prostitution when they desire chastity, for your profit in worldly goods. Qur’an 24.33
If any man takes a wife, and goes in to her, and then spurns her, and charges her with shameful conduct, and brings an evil name upon her, saying, “I took this woman, and when I came near her, I did not find in her the tokens of virginity,” then the father of the young woman and her mother shall take and bring out the tokens of her virginity to the elders of the city in the
gate… But if the thing is true, that the tokens of virginity were not found in the young woman, then they shall bring out the young woman to the door of her father’s house, and the men of her city shall stone her to death with stones, because she has wrought folly in Israel by playing the harlot in her father’s house; so you shall purge the evil from the midst of you. Deuteronomy 22.13-21
The Buddha said, “Of all longings and desires, there is none stronger than sex. Sex as a desire has no equal. Rely on the Oneness. No one under heaven is able to become a follower of the Way if he accepts dualism.”24 Sutra of Forty-two Sections 25 (Buddhism)
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon When a girl grows up and becomes a young woman, she looks for a young man. But will she really find true love in him? Can a young man be confident that he can trust his girlfriend? Without true love, men and woman cannot trust each other. Why? They do not understand that a man and a woman exist for the sake of each other. Instead, they are accustomed to using their partners to serve themselves. People use the opposite sex as servants or slaves because they do not know the value of true love. One’s first love should last eternally. (297:145, November 19, 1998) When you are a young person nearing twenty, where do you take your clean and unstained purity, all wrapped up? You take it to the altar where God will be most happy to receive it. Then you join with your spouse, who has also guarded his or her purity. Then when God binds you together at the holy place [your sexual organs], you become a holy husband and wife. Your purity should be your pride. Nevertheless, if you think that you can use your sexual organ freely in the manner of dogs or pigs, it would be better to cut it off or dig it out. (64:85, October 24, 1972) You should not sully your innocence during adolescence. It is the precious period when you can overcome and indemnify the sorrow of Adam and Eve, who lost their innocence during their youth. You should preserve your innocence, precious and clean. You should have the integrity and resolution to say, “Even if I have to live alone for a thousand years, I will not allow anyone to violate my love.” My tradition and teaching is that you cannot hold your partner of love unless you have loved your people and your nation. You cannot hold you partner of love unless you have loved the world. You cannot hold your partner of love unless you have loved God. Once you have loved God, loved the world and loved the nation, then you can love your spouse. This is a fundamental rule. (37:108, December 22, 1970) The time has come when men as well as women should keep their chastity. If a man takes a wrong step and loses his chastity, it is as if his entire clan committed a serious offense against God’s Will.
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The time has come when it is no longer acceptable for an elderly man to have a secret affair. A man’s philandering will ruin his entire clan. Once you understand the Unification teaching, you cannot do that. (Blessing and Ideal Family 1.2.6) I am thinking that your children should be married at an early age, because I want them to be certain of marrying their first love. If each of you had met your spouse during adolescence with your first love intact, you would be so happy. First love is so pure! You would approach your spouse like a pure child loving its mother and father. Such a loving man and woman create an ideal couple and give birth to wonderful children. (118:310, June 20, 1982)
❖ 3. Is Touching or Even Looking Permitted? You shall not eat of the fruit… neither shall you touch it, lest you die. Genesis 3.3
Offering presents to a woman, romping with her, touching her ornaments and dress, sitting with her on a bed, all these are considered adulterous acts. Laws of Manu 8.357 (Hinduism)
You have heard that it was said, “You shall not commit adultery.” But I say to you that every one who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew 5.27-28
The adultery of the eye is the lustful look, and the adultery of the tongue is the licentious speech, and the heart desires and yearns, which the parts may or may not put into effect. Hadith of Muslim (Islam)
It is true that you commit no actual crimes; but when you meet a beautiful woman in another’s home and cannot banish her from your
thoughts, you have committed adultery with her in your heart. Consider a moment! Would you have sufficient control over yourself to imitate the sage Lu Nan-tze if you were placed in a similar position? When he once found himself obliged to pass the night in a house whose only other occupant was a woman, he lighted a lamp and read aloud until morning to avoid exposing her to unjust suspicions. Treatise on Response and Retribution, Appended Tales (Taoism)
The Buddha said, “Be careful not to look at women and do not talk with them. If you must speak with them, be properly mindful and think, ‘I am a shramana living in a turbid world.25 I should be like the lotus flower and not be defiled by the mud.’ Regard old women the way you regard your mother. Regard those who are older than you the way you regard your elder sisters; regard those who are younger than you as your younger sisters, and regard children as your own. Bring forth thoughts to rescue them, and put an end to bad thoughts.” Sutra of Forty-two Sections 29 (Buddhism)
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon In the Western world, men and women shake hands, hold hands and hug each other so casually that they do not feel any special sensation. In the East, however, men and women rarely have physical contact with each other. So if they happen to merely brush against each other, they feel an electric spark.
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Which is better, for men and women to have frequent physical contact or to refrain from touching until they are fully mature? When the electricity sparks, would you rather it be 50 volts or 100 volts? Therefore, you should wait. What do you think? Should young men and women go on dates, hold hands and kiss each other before marriage? You should wait and refrain from touching until you are fully ripe, like an apple that has turned totally red. Then even at the touch of your partner’s hand you will feel an exciting electrical spark. Yet most American women never experience the full sensation of first love, because having dissipated their electricity, the remaining charge is only at 50 volts or even 30 volts. Now what do you think of American style love? Satan uses this and many other methods to invade the realm of high-intensity love. To a pure teenage boy, a girl is like a palace of mysteries. Likewise, to a pure teenage girl, a boy is like a palace of mysteries. But these days, where is the mystery? Boys and girls behave like animals. They love each other like cats and dogs, without any vertical love. (125:103, March 13, 1983) The religious life is one in which your conscience tortures your body until it surrenders. Once the flesh is completely dead, your conscience should occupy it so it can never come back to life again. Thus, the mind must dominate the flesh. Therefore, you should turn your habitual way of seeing inside out and see straight. Your eyes, which have been looking at things 180 degrees opposite the way they ought to, should now turn 180 degrees opposite their former way of seeing. Whereas, before, when you were on the satanic side you looked through the left eye, now you should look through the right eye. In other words, your eyes, which could not see properly because they were 180 degrees off, should be united with your conscience and return to their original place, coming back to the right side after having rotated 360 degrees. From that time on, your eyes are welcome to view anything because you see with the eyes of the original mind. (261:303-04, July 24, 1994)
❖ 4. Homosexuality—the Extreme of Free Sex You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.
committed before you. Do you indeed come in unto males?”27
Leviticus 18.22
Qur’an 29.28-29
The bodhisattva does not approach the five kinds of unmanly men in order to be friendly with or close to them.26
God gave them up to dishonorable passions. Their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural, and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in their own persons the due penalty for their error.
Lotus Sutra 14 (Buddhism)
And Lot said to his people, “You commit lewdness, such as no people in creation ever
Romans 1.26-27
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon Free sex, homosexuality, the lesbian movement and the like destroy human rights and dignity. (Way of Unification 5.2.4.2)
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Free sex is what Satan likes most. God is the opposite. God wants ‘absolute sex.’ Archangels do not have partners—that is why homosexuality and lesbianism has emerged. With God, on the other hand, there is absolute partnership. Now is the Last Days, when we are harvesting the seeds of free sex that Adam and Eve sowed in the Garden of Eden. That is why free sex is rampant throughout the whole world, especially in America. That is why families are breaking down. These are the satanic fruits of the Last Days. In this world full of free sex, people say, “It’s okay for men to marry each other” because they do not have an absolute partner of love. (282:27, February 16, 1997) Satan has worked to break down the basis for lasting love; hence free sex, homosexuality and lesbianism are rampant. Homosexuality and lesbianism grew from the seeds of the archangel; that is why they do not have eternal love partners. Satan is making people around the world expose their bodies more and pulling them in the direction of death. Humanity is experiencing its ultimate fate as descendants of the archangel, who instigates death to all. (279:121, August 1, 1996) Could homosexuality exist in a world that abides by Heaven’s principles? Lesbianism, alcoholism and such exist because people suffer from emotional misalignment. They suffer in this world, which is hell on earth. We, on the other hand, strive to live in God’s Kingdom, so our way of life is 180 degrees different from them. (243:191, January 10, 1993) If you practiced homosexuality before joining the Unification Church and you have still not ended such relationships, you will go straight to hell. Once you are deeply moved by the truth, everything of that old lifestyle should flee away. You have been born again. Now, no matter how much you formerly enjoyed it, your heart says no. Therefore, you have nothing to do with it. If you cannot subjugate those feelings, you should repent and pray and wail with tears. (219:233, September 8, 1991)28
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Sobriety and Temperance LIQUOR, DRUGS AND GAMBLING MAY SEEM like pleasant diversions, yet they are the cause of countless people’s downfall. They render a man’s spirit blind to the light of truth and deaf to the promptings of conscience. They lead to addictions that destroy the body, anti-social behavior that breaks up families and damages careers, and even criminal acts. It is well known that many people use alcohol and drugs for their effect of reducing inhibitions as a prelude to casual sex. Even cigarettes can have this effect, as well as influence young people to try harder drugs. Despite some contemporary medical models of addiction that regard it as a disease, the world’s religions affirm that people are responsible to live soberly and steer clear of alcohol, drugs and gambling. Father Moon recognizes that people often turn to cigarettes, drugs and alcohol because they are dissatisfied with life and cannot find the love they crave. Yet they are poor substitutes. The solution to drinking and drugs is true love. Temporary drug-induced intoxication pales in comparison to the deep emotional satisfaction of true, godly love.
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You who believe! Intoxicants and gambling… are an abomination—of Satan’s handiwork: eschew such that you may prosper. Satan’s plan is to stir up enmity and hatred among you by means of liquor and gambling, and to hinder you from the remembrance of God and from prayer. Will you not then abstain? Qur’an 5.90-91
Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit. Ephesians 5.18
To the addict, nothing is like his dope; to the fish, nothing is like water: But those immersed in the love of God feel love for all things. Adi Granth, Wadhans, M.1, p. 557 (Sikhism)
Let the time that is past suffice for doing what the Gentiles like to do, living in licentiousness, passions, drunkenness, revels, carousing, and lawless idolatry. They are surprised that you do not now join them in the same wild profligacy, and they abuse you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 1 Peter 4.3-5
Men who are grave and wise, Though they drink, are mild and masters of themselves; But those who are benighted and ignorant Are devoted to drink, and more so daily. Be careful, each of you, of your deportment— What heaven confers, when once lost, is not regained. Book of Songs, Ode 196 (Confucianism)
Woe to those who rise early in the morning, that they may run after strong drink, who tarry late into the evening till wine inflames them! They have lyre and harp, timbrel and flute and wine at their feasts,
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but they do not regard the deeds of the Lord, or see the work of his hands. Isaiah 5.11-12
What are the six channels for dissipating wealth? Taking intoxicants; loitering in the streets at unseemly hours; constantly visiting shows and fairs; addiction to gambling; association with evil companions; the habit of idleness… Gambling and women, drink and dance and song, Sleeping by day and prowling around by night, Friendship with wicked men, hardness of heart, These six causes bring ruin to a man. Gambling and drinking, chasing after those Women as dear as life to other men, Following the fools, not the enlightened ones, He wanes as the darker half of the moon. The drunkard always poor and destitute; Even while drinking, thirsty; haunting bars; Sinks into debt as into water stone, Soon robs his family of their good name. One who habitually sleeps by day And looks upon the night as time to rise Licentious and a drunkard all the time, He does not merit the rank of householder. Digha Nikaya 3.182-85, Sigalovada Sutta (Buddhism)
Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who tarry long after wine, those who go to try mixed wine. Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. At the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like an adder. Your eyes will see strange things, and your mind utter perverse things.
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You will be one who lies down in the midst of the [rolling] sea, like one who totters to and fro like the top of a mast. “They struck me,” you will say, “but I was not hurt; they beat me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake? I will seek another drink.” Proverbs 23.29-35
Rabbi Isaac said, quoting Proverbs 23.31, “Wine makes the faces of the wicked red in this world, but pale in the world to come.” Rabbi Me’ir said, “The tree of which Adam ate was a vine, for it is wine that brings lamentation to man.” Talmud, Sanhedrin 70ab (Judaism)
The Gambler: These nuts that once tossed on tall trees in the wind but now smartly roll over the board, how I love them! As alluring as a draught of Soma on the mountain, the lively dice have captured my heart. My faithful wife never quarreled with me or got angry; to me and my companions she was always kind, yet I’ve driven her away for the sake of the ill-fated throw of a die. Chorus: His wife’s mother loathes him, his wife rejects him; he implores people’s aid but nowhere finds pity. A luckless gambler is no more good than an aged hack to be sold on the market.
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Other men make free with the wife of a man whose money and goods the eager dice have stolen. His father and mother and brothers all say, “He is nothing to us. Bind him, put him in jail!” The Gambler: I make a resolve that I will not go gaming. So my friends depart and leave me behind. But as soon as the brown nuts are rattled and thrown, to meet them I run, like an amorous girl. Chorus: To the meeting place the gambler hastens. “Shall I win?” he asks himself, hoping and trembling. But the throws of the dice ruin his hopes, giving the highest scores to his opponent. Dice, believe me, are barbed: they prick and they trip, they hurt and torment and cause grievous harm. To the gambler they are like children’s gifts, sweet as honey, but they turn on the winner in rage and destroy him… Abandoned, the wife of the gambler grieves. Grieved too, is his mother as he wanders to nowhere. Afraid and in debt, ever greedy for money, he steals in the night to the home of another. He is seized by remorse when he sees his wife’s lot, beside that of another with well-ordered home. In the morning, however, he yokes the brown steeds and at the evening falls stupid before the cold embers. Rig Veda 10.34 (Hinduism)
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon You know in your conscience that drinking, dissipation and gambling are wrong. That is also why society restricts these activities. They are what ruin the basis of life. Transgressions of love ruin the family, and gambling ruins the society. (320:135, April 1, 2000)
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Satan deploys his weapons. First, he deploys his air weapon—tobacco. Next he deploys his liquid weapon—alcohol, and finally his solid weapon—drugs. With these weapons he rots people’s spirits, rots their bodies, and through the nostrils he rots the lungs. Therefore, we do not drink alcohol. We do not smoke. We do not take drugs. These three are Satan’s weapons to destroy humanity. They are fearsome weapons because they block the spirit from communicating with the divine Being. (126:71, April 10, 1983) Tobacco is a weapon of temptation. When a woman asks a man for a cigarette, casual sex is the usual outcome. In the Orient the men smoke, but it is regarded as disreputable for a woman to smoke. A woman asking a man for a cigarette is inviting him, “Let’s have sex!” The cigarette is the bait. A man inviting a woman to share a drink together is another way of asking for sex. It is the same with sharing drugs. Once they are intoxicated, the man does as he pleases with her, and she does whatever she wants with him. What do they do? They engage in free sex. (287:118-19, September 19, 1997) A man may be a husband and a father with many responsibilities at home, yet he continually neglects his wife and children and goes off to the local bar, seeking only his own pleasure. Is that person more susceptible to Satan or to God? While he is drinking, he may be very happy. He might even jump up on top of the bar and dance to express his joy. However, such joy can never last. It has no element of the future, of eternity. His happy moment of drunkenness passes, and before long his family and his world lie in ruins. (124:244, February 20, 1983) In the Orient we have a saying, Ju-saek-jab-ki: “Liquor, women and gambling lead to mischief.” Liquor, women and gambling are the causes of all the world’s crimes. Is there a major criminal case where alcohol, drugs, women or gambling are not involved? Drugs are simply a stronger form of liquor. In a drug-induced intoxication you have no control over anything, including your behavior with women. Drinking and drugs destroy any wholesome relationships between men and women. And at the gambling casino thousands of years of achievement can wash away overnight. (230:115-16, April 26, 1992) When Chinese people gamble, they sometimes bet everything. If a man runs out of money, he may bet his house and even his wife. He may lose his wife! If a master gambles with his servant and loses to him, the master has no choice but to pay off the money he bet—even all his property. What does he do next? He quietly drinks poison and dies. Then his servant can claim his house, his wife, and all that he had. Gambling is that formidable. (124:157-58, February 6, 1983) Do you have true love in your home? I do not sense much confidence in your answer. You say yes, but you have yellow tobacco stains on your fingers and the smell of alcohol on your breath. If you had true love, your body would be fragrant. (215:244, February 20, 1991) In today’s families, husbands and wives are quarreling, parents are quarreling, children are quarreling—all are at odds with each other. This inevitably leads to a world where people find joy only in free sex; all their higher emotions are impoverished. To rekindle their emotions, people resort to hallucinogens and heroin. First they stimulate themselves with marijuana, and to continue the stimulation they graduate to opium and narcotics. (243:251, January 17, 1993)
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Love’s intense power activates all the cells, stimulating them all with one vibration. At the moment when mind and body, man and woman, are completely engaged in giving and receiving… the power of love explodes one hundred percent. Love’s intense electricity is so intoxicating; that is why love is good. It is far more stimulating than the artificial intoxication that comes from drinking alcohol or taking opium. (117:76, February 1, 1982) Whether in America, England, Japan, Germany, or anywhere in developed world, people lack any direction in life; they don’t know which way to go. Having lost vertical true love, people desperately seek love on this horizontal plane. Unable to find it, they end up resorting to free sex. Every human being has an antenna that picks up love’s emotion. It could link them with the high-dimensional universe of true love, but that world has vanished. Therefore, to supplement the paltry stimulation of fallen love, people take drugs and engage in free sex. However, drugs and free sex are no substitute for true love. The more people pursue them, the farther away they are from love. Accordingly, they find that having free sex is not satisfying. Then they turn to drugs, yearning to feel that moment of love’s rapture. Through drug-induced hallucinations they can feel imaginary love, but the feeling lasts only until the drug wears off. The stimulating effect of the strongest drug cannot be compared to true love. Even drugs lean on true love, we can see that. Love creates an electrical vibration between heaven and earth. The touch of love’s vibration rings out through the universe as if through the speaker of a giant radio. [Connecting to the drug world is like turning on a broken radio and hearing a faint noise, but with true love we tune in to the clear signal.] When the true love loudspeaker booms, “Wah-ah,” the whole world gets excited. Everybody in the universe stands up and dances to its music. You may think the Twist is an exciting dance, but in the true love dance you even fly! (247:126-27, May 1, 1993)
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