Unity in Humanity

“So powerful is the light of unity that it

can illuminate the whole earth”

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Hinduism c. 3000 BC
Meet together, speak together, let your minds be of one
accord, as the Gods of old, being of one mind, accepted
their share of the sacrifice. May your counsel be common,
your assembly common, common the mind, and the
thoughts of these united. A common purpose do I lay
before you, and worship with your common oblation. Let
your aims be common, and your hearts of one accord, and
all of you be of one mind, so you may live well together.
– Rig Veda 10.191.2-4
He who experiences the unity of life, sees his own self in
all beings, and all beings in his own self, and looks on
everything with an impartial eye.
– Bhagavad Gita 6.29
Be united, speak in harmony,
Let your minds apprehend alike.
Common be your prayer
Common be the end of your assembly,
Common be your resolution;
Common be your deliberations.
Alike be your feelings, united be your hearts.
Common be your intentions, perfect be your unity.
– Rig Verda
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The Bahá'í Faith 1844 AD
God maketh no distinction between the white and the
black. If the hearts are pure both are acceptable unto
Him. God is no respecter of persons on account of either
color or race. All colors are acceptable unto Him, be they
white, black, or yellow. Inasmuch as all were created in
the image of God, we must bring ourselves to realize that
all embody divine possibilities. In the estimation of God all
men are equal. There is no distinction or preference for
any soul, in the realm of His justice and equity. God did
not make these divisions, these divisions have had their
origin in man himself. Color is not important; the heart is
all-important.
Verily, the words which have descended from the heaven
of the Will of God are the source of unity and harmony for
the world. Close your eyes to racial differences, and
welcome all with the light of oneness. We desire but the
good of the world and the happiness of the nations, …that
all nations should become one in faith and all men as
brothers; that the bonds of affection and unity between
the sons of men should be strengthened; that diversity of
religion should cease, and differences of race be annulled.
That the various races of humankind lend a composite
harmony and beauty of color to the whole.
Let all associate, therefore, in this great human garden
even as flowers grow and blend together side by side
without discord or disagreement between them.
– Shoghi Effendi
quoting Bahá'u'lláh in The Advent of Divine Justice
Page 11
The Bahá'í Faith 1844 AD Judaism c. 1500 BCE

The Purpose of the one true God, exalted be His glory, in
revealing Himself unto men is to lay bare those gems that
lie hidden within the mine of their true and inmost selves.
That the divers communions of the earth, and the
manifold systems of religious belief, should never be
allowed to foster the feelings of animosity among men, is,
in this Day, of the essence of the Faith of God and His
Religion. These principles and laws, these firmly-
established and mighty systems, have proceeded from
one Source, and are the rays of one Light. That they differ
one from another is to be attributed to the varying
requirements of the ages in which they were
promulgated…..
The utterance of God is a lamp, whose light is these
words: Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of
one branch. Deal ye one with another with the utmost
love and harmony, with friendliness and fellowship. He
Who is the Day Star of Truth beareth Me witness!
Whoever is able to protest against the transgressions of
his own family and does not do so is punished for the
transgressions of his family. Whoever is able to protest
against the transgressions of his community and does not
do so is punished for the transgressions of his community.
Whoever is able to protest against the transgressions of
the entire world and does not do so is punished for the
transgressions of the entire world.
– Babylonian Talmud Shabbat 54b
Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell
in unity!
– Psalms 133: 1

So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the

whole earth.
– Bahá'u'lláh
Gleanings, p. 287-288

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Buddhism c. 400 BCE
Our good or evil deeds follow us continually like shadows.
That which is most needed is a loving heart! Regard thy
people as men do an only son. Do not oppress them, do
not destroy them; keep in due check every member of thy
body, forsake unrighteous doctrine and walk in the
straight path. Exalt not thyself by trampling down others,
but comfort and befriend the suffering. Walk, monks, on
tour for the benefit of the people, for the happiness of the
people out of compassion for the world, for the welfare,
the blessing, the happiness of devas and men.
– Vinaya Pitika, Mahavagga: 28
In safety and in bliss, may creatures all be of a peaceful
heart. Whatever living things there are; whether weak or
strong with none excepted. Great or small, seen or
unseen, dwelling far or near, born or awaiting birth – may
all be blessed with peace. Let no one work another one’s
undoing, or show contempt in any place. Let no one wish
another harm, through provocation or resentful thought.
Just as a mother with her life protects her child, her only
child, let all-embracing thoughts for all that lives be yours.
An all-embracing love for all the universe, in all its height
and depth and breadth, unstinted love, unmarred by hate
within, not rousing enmity.
– The Sutta Nipata
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The Bahá'í Faith 1844 AD
It is incumbent upon every man, in this Day, to hold fast
unto whatsoever will promote the interests, and exalt the
station, of all nations and just governments. Through each
and every one of the verses which the Pen of the Most
High hath revealed, the doors of love and unity have been
unlocked and flung open to the face of men. We have
erewhile declared – and Our Word is the truth:
"Consort with the followers of all religions in a spirit of
friendliness and fellowship."
Whatsoever hath led the children of men to shun one
another, and hath caused dissensions and divisions
amongst them, hath, through the revelation of these
words, been nullified and abolished. From the heaven of
God's Will, and for the purpose of ennobling the world of
being and of elevating the minds and souls of men, hath
been sent down that which is the most effective
instrument for the education of the whole human race.
Of old it hath been revealed: "Love of one's country is an
element of the Faith of God." The Tongue of Grandeur
hath, however, in the day of His manifestation
proclaimed:
“It is not his to boast who loveth his country, but it is his
who loveth the world."
– Bahá'u'lláh
Gleanings, p. 94-95
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The Bahá'í Faith 1844 AD
The day is approaching when all the peoples of the world
will have adopted one universal language and one
common script. When this is achieved, to whatsoever city
a man may journey, it shall be as if he were entering his
own home. These things are obligatory and absolutely
essential. It is incumbent upon every man of insight and
understanding to strive to translate that which hath been
written into reality and action…. That one indeed is a man
who, today, dedicateth himself to the service of the entire
human race. The Great Being saith: Blessed and happy is
he that ariseth to promote the best interests of the
peoples and kindreds of the earth. In another passage He
hath proclaimed:
It is not for him to pride himself who loveth his own
country, but rather for him who loveth the whole world.
The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens.
– Bahá'u'lláh
Gleanings, p. 250
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Christianity 1 AD
Your love must be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil;
cling to what is good. Be devoted to each other with
mutual affection. Excel at showing respect for each other.
Never be lazy in showing such devotion. Be on fire with
the Spirit. Serve the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in
trouble, and persistent in prayer. Supply the needs of the
saints. Extend hospitality to strangers. Bless those who
persecute you. Keep on blessing them, and never curse
them. Rejoice with those who are rejoicing. Cry with those
who are crying. Live in harmony [and unity] with each
other. Do not be arrogant, but associate with humble
people. Do not think that you are wiser than you really
are. Do not pay anyone back evil for evil, but focus your
thoughts on what is right in the sight of all people. If
possible, so far as it depends on you, live in peace [and
unity] with all people.
– Romans 12 9-19
Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no
city or house divided against itself will stand.
– Mathew 12.25
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Islam c. 613 AD
Hold fast, all together, to God's rope, and be not divided
among yourselves. Remember with gratitude God's favor
on you, for you were enemies and He joined your hearts
in love, so that by His Grace you became brethren. You
were on the brink of the fiery Pit, and He saved you from
it. Thus does God make His Signs clear to you, that you
may be guided. Let there arise out of you one community,
inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right, and
forbidding what is wrong: those will be prosperous. Be not
like those who are divided amongst themselves and fall
into disputations after receiving Clear Signs.
– Qur'an 3.103-5
O mankind! We created you from a single pair of a male
and a female and made you into nations and tribes, that
you might know each other. Verily the most honoured
among you in the sight of God is he the most righteous.
– Qur’an 49.13
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The Bahá'í Faith 1844 AD
The time must come when the imperative necessity for
the holding of a vast, an all-embracing assemblage of men
will be universally realized. The rulers and kings of the
earth must needs attend it, and, participating in its
deliberations, must consider such ways and means as will
lay the foundations of the world’s Great Peace amongst
men. Such a peace demandeth that the Great Powers
should resolve, for the sake of the tranquillity of the
peoples of the earth, to be fully reconciled among
themselves. Should any king take up arms against
another, all should unitedly arise and prevent him. If this
be done, the nations of the world will no longer require
any armaments, except for the purpose of preserving the
security of their realms and of maintaining internal order
within their territories. This will ensure the peace and
composure of every people, government and nation. We
fain would hope that the kings and rulers of the earth, the
mirrors of the gracious and almighty name of God, may
attain unto this station, and shield mankind from the
onslaught of tyranny.
– Bahá'u'lláh
Gleanings, p. 250
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