208 lines
7.4 KiB
Plaintext
208 lines
7.4 KiB
Plaintext
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THE SEARCH FOR KNOWLEDGE
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The search for knowledge is incumbent upon every human being.
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Education and diligent study for elevates and ennobles the human person.
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The most important knowledge is spiritual wisdom--the Way or the
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Dhamma--which not only enlightens the intellect but also elevates the
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spirit and fosters a good will. When a person finds a deep truth, it
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awakens an emotion of inner joy, because that truth corresponds with what
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is already within his or her original mind.
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The search for knowledge is an obligation laid on every Muslim.
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Islam. Hadith of Ibn Majah and Baihaqi
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A good, all-round education, appreciation of the arts, a highly trained
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discipline and pleasant speech; this is the highest blessing.
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Buddhism. Sutta Nipata 261
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Confucius said, "Broaden your knowledge of the Classics, restrain it with
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ritual, and you are unlikely to deviate from the Way."
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Confucianism. Analects 12.15
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There is no greater wealth than wisdom; no greater poverty than ignorance;
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no greater heritage than culture.
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Islam (Shiite). Nahjul Balagha, Saying 52
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When Confucius was going to Wei, Jan Ch'iu drove him. The Master said,
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"What a dense population!" Jan Ch'iu said, "When the people have
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multiplied, what next should be done for them?" The Master said, "Enrich
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them." Jan Ch'iu said, "When one has enriched them, what next should be
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done for them?" The Master said, "Instruct them."
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Confucianism. Analects 13.9
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Nahjul Balagha, Saying 52: Cf. Lamentations Rabbah, Proem 2, p. 1035.
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A disciple in training will comprehend this earth, the realm of death and
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the realm of the gods. A disciple in training will investigate the
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well-taught Path of Virtue, even as an expert garland-maker picks flowers.
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Buddhism. Dhammapada 45
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The Master said, "A gentleman can see a question from all sides without
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bias. The small man is biased and can see a question only from one side."
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Confucianism. Analects 2.14
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There are three things that occasion sorrow to a superior man [who is
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devoted to learning]: If there be any subject of which he has not heard,
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and he cannot get to hear of it; if he hear of it, and cannot get to learn
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it; if he have learned it, and cannot get to carry it out in practice.
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Confucianism. Book of Ritual 18.2.2.20
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The parents of a child are but his enemies when they fail to educate him
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properly in his boyhood. An illiterate boy, like a heron amidst swans,
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cannot shine in the assembly of the learned. Learning imparts a
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heightened charm to a homely face. Knowledge is the best treasure that a
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man can secretly hoard up in life. Learning is the revered of the
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revered. Knowledge makes a man honest, virtuous, and endearing to
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society. It is learning alone that enables a man to better the condition
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of his friends and relations. Knowledge is the holiest of holies, the god
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of the gods, and commands respect of crowned heads; shorn of it a man is
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but an animal. The fixtures and furniture of one's house may be stolen by
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thieves; but knowledge, the highest treasure, is above all stealing.
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Hinduism. Garuda Purana
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Does not wisdom call,
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does not understanding raise her voice?
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On the heights beside the way,
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in the paths she takes her stand;
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beside the gates of the town,
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at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud;
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"To you, O men, I call,
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and my cry is to the sons of men.
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O simple ones, learn prudence;
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O foolish men, pay attention.
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Hear, for I will speak noble things,
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and from my lips will come what is right;
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for my mouth will utter truth;
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wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
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All the words of my mouth are righteous;
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there is nothing twisted or crooked in them.
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Dhammapada 45: Cf. Verses on the Perfection of Wisdom which is the
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Storehouse of Precious Virtues 14.7-8, p. 735.
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They are all straight to him who understands
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and right to those who find knowledge.
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Take my instruction instead of silver,
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and knowledge rather than choice gold;
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for wisdom is better than jewels,
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and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.
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Judaism and Christianity. Proverbs 8.1-11
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If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men
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generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him.
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Christianity. James 1.5
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[God] gives wisdom to whom He will, and he to whom wisdom is given has
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truly received abundant good. But none remember except men of
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understanding.
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Islam. Qur'an 2.269
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What thing I am I do not know.
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I wander secluded, burdened by my mind.
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When the Firstborn of Truth has come to me
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I receive a share of that selfsame Word.
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Hinduism. Rig Veda 1.164.37
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Mencius said, "A gentleman steeps himself in the Way because he wishes to
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find it in himself."
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Confucianism. Mencius IV.B.14
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He who imbibes the Dhamma abides in happiness with mind pacified; the wise
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man ever delights in the Dhamma revealed by the Noble Ones.
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Buddhism. Dhammapada 79
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When they listen to that which has been revealed unto the Messenger, you
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see their eyes overflow with tears because of their recognition of the
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Truth. They say, "Our Lord, we believe. Inscribe us as among the
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witnesses."
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Islam. Qur'an 5.83
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Proverbs 8.1-11: Wisdom is personified here, and in Proverbs 8.22-23, p.
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151; Perfection of Wisdom in Eight Thousand Lines 7.1, p. 152; and Sirach
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24.26-27, p. 806. Cf. 1 Corinthians 2.6-10, p. 538. James 1.5: God is
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the ultimate source of wisdom, and he who doubts is invited to bring the
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matter before God in prayer. Cf. Pearl of Great Price, Joseph Smith 2,
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pp. 598. Qur'an 2.269: Cf. Proverbs 9.11, p. 796. Rig Veda 1.164.37:
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This is the cosmic law as imparted by a teacher.
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As the heat of a fire reduces wood to ashes, the fire of knowledge burns
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to ashes all karma. Nothing in this world purifies like spiritual wisdom.
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It is the perfection achieved in time through the path of yoga, the path
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which leads to the Self within.
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Hinduism. Bhagavad Gita 4.37-38
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Those who see Truth and speak Truth,
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Their bodies and minds become truthful.
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Truth is their evidence, Truth is their instruction,
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True is the praise of the truthful.
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Those who have forgotten Truth cry in agony and weep while departing.
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Sikhism. Adi Granth, Sri Raga, M.3, p. 69
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The end and aim of wisdom is repentance and good deeds.
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Judaism. Talmud, Berakot 17
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True learning induces in the mind service of mankind.
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Sikhism. Adi Granth, Asa, M.1, p. 356
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Bhagavad Gita 4.37-38: Cf. Laws of Manu 5.109, p. 728; Narada Dharma Sutra
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1.210, p. 159; Sifre Deuteronomy, pp. 494-95. Berakot 17 and Asa, M.1:
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Cf. James 3.13-18, p. 798; Book of Certitude, 69, p. 798; Precepts of
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Divine Learning, p. 798.
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