Good Governance

Good Governance Insights from World Scripture: An Anthology of Sacred Texts

Commentary
Among the requisite qualities of a leader is righteousness. Righteousness is defined as dedication to the public welfare regardless of the cost to one’s self.
A righteous leader has integrity. He does not seek to profit from his office, and he never uses public resources for his own benefit.
- Andrew Wilson, Editor, World Scripture

Confucianism
The art of government simply consists in making things right, or p
utting things in their right places.
When the ruler himself is ‘right,’ then the people naturally follow him in his right course.
Book of Ritual 27

Confucianism
Anyone who is to be prime minister must prepare his one heart and two eyes. When the eyes are clear then one can know the honest and the dishonest. When the heart is impartial then one can advance the honest and retire the dishonest.
Chun Hsi

Hinduism
Whatever the best man does, others do that also. The world follows the standard he sets for himself.
Bhagavad Gita 3.20-21
Step beyond what is human, elect for the Divine Word, and establish your leadership.
Atharva Veda 7.105

Buddhism
If he who is reckoned best lives righteously, the others do so too.
The whole land dwells in happiness if the ruler lives aright.
Anguttara Nikaya ii.75

Judaism
When one rules justly over men, ruling in the fear of God,
He dawns on them like the morning light, like the sun shining forth upon a cloudless morning, like rain that makes grass to sprout from the earth.
2 Samuel 23:3-4

Christianity
Now a bishop must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, dignified, hospitable, an apt teacher, no drunkard, nor violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, and no lover of money. He must manage his own household well, keeping his children submissive and respectful in every way; for if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care for God’s church?
I Timothy 3:2-5

Islam
O David! We indeed set you as a vicegerent on earth;
Therefore judge aright between men.
Do not follow the lusts of your heart,
for they will mislead you from the path of God.
Qur’an 38.26

African Traditional Religions
Guardianship is not to give an order but to give one’s self.
Nyika Proverb (Kenya and Tanzania)

Native American wisdom
Treat all men alike.
Give them all the same law.
Give them all an even chance to live and grow.
All men were made by the same Great Spirit Chief.
Heinmot Toyalaket (Chief Joseph),
Nez Perce Leader

Commentary
God is sovereign over all human institutions. Hence, the first principle of leadership is that governments should operate in conformity with heavenly law.
Leadership is not only a public trust but a sacred trust. Leaders should be imbued with spiritual values, fear God, and govern their people in a way that is acceptable to him.
Andrew Wilson, Editor, World Scripture

Judaism
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord, Let my people go, that they may serve me.’”
Exodus 8:1

Christianity
For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
1 Peter 2:21

Islam
As you are, so will you have rulers put over you .
Hadith of Baihaqi
The Caliph is a shepherd over the people and shall be questioned about his subjects.
Hadith of Bukhari and Muslim

Hinduism
Step beyond what is human,
Elect for the Divine Word,
And establish your leadership.
Atharva Veda 7.105
1999

Buddhism
You, leaning on the Dhamma, honoring, respecting, and revering it, doing homage to it, hallowing it, being yourself a banner of the Dhamma, a signal of the Dhamma, having the Dhamma as your master, should provide the right watch, war, and protection for your own people, for the army, for the nobles, for vassals, for brahmins, and householders, for town and country dwellers, for the religious world, and for beasts and birds.
Digha Nikaya 3.60-61,
Chakkavatti-sihanada Suttanta

Native American wisdom
When one sits in the Hoop of the People, one must be responsible because all of Creation is related. And the hurt of one is the hurt of all. And the honor of one is the honor of all. And whatever we do effects everything in the universe.
Lakota instructions for living
Passed down from the White Buffalo Calf Woman

For further reflection
World Scripture: A Comparative Anthology of Sacred Texts
http://origin.org/ucs/ws/ws.cfm
Universal Peace Federation
http://www.upf.org/education/interreligious-understanding

Good Governance

by Universal Peace Federation International on Jan 21, 2010

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Good Governance — Presentation Transcript