 to the index SACRED
READINGS ARCHIVE
Toward the One,... (after lighting taper) To the glory of the Omnipresent God, we
kindle the light
symbolically representing the...Hindu Religion, Buddhist Religion,
Zoroastrian
Religion, Native American Religion, Divine Feminine, Jewish Religion,
Christian
Religion, Religion of Islam (lighting each candle with the word kindle.) To the glory of the Omnipresent God, we
kindle the light
symbolically representing all those who whether known or unknown to the
world,
have held aloft the light of Truth through
the darkness of human ignorance. (lighting the
Spirit of
Guidance candle) Let us pray. Saum
Praise be to
thee...(while facing the God candle) We will read from the World Scriptures We read in the Hindu Scriptures He is the one God, hidden in all beings,
all-pervading, the
Self within all beings, watching over all works, dwelling in all
beings, the
witness, the perceiver, the only one, free from qualities. Svetasvatara
Upanishad
6.11 We offer to the Omniscient God, our
reverence, our homage,
and our gratitude for the Light of the Divine Wisdom. We will read in the Buddhist
Scriptures When appearances and names are put away and
all
discrimination ceases, that which remains is the true and essential
nature of
things and, as nothing can be predicated as to the nature of essence,
is called
the "Suchness" of Reality. This universal, undifferentiated,
inscrutable Suchness is the only Reality, but it is variously
characterized as
Truth, Mind-essence, Transcendental Intelligence, Perfection of Wisdom,
etc.
This Dharma of the imagelessness of the Essence-nature of Ultimate
Reality is
the Dharma which has been proclaimed by all the Buddhas, and when all
things
are understood in full agreement with it, one is in possession of
Perfect
Knowledge. Lankavatara Sutra We offer to the Omniscient God, our
reverence, our homage,
and our gratitude for the Light of the Divine Compassion We will read in the Zoroastrian Scriptures Who is the first begetter, father of the Cosmic Law? Who assigned orbit to the sun and the stars? Who causes the moon to wax and again to wane? Who other than Thee? This and else I wish to know! Who is the upholder of the earth and of the sky? Who prevents them from falling down? Who maintains the waters and also the plants? Who yoked speed to winds and clouds? Who is the creator of the creatures? Who is the architect of light and darkness? Who created sleep and wakefulness? By whom exists dawn, mid-day and night, Which monitor the duties of men? Avesta, Yasna 44.3-5 We will read in the Native American Scriptures Grandfather, look at our brokenness. We know that in all creation only the human family Has strayed from the We know that we are the ones who are divided, And we are the ones who must come back together To walk in the Grandfather, Sacred One, teach us to love, compassion, and honor That we may heal the earth and heal each other. O We offer to the Omniscient God, our reverence, our homage, and our gratitude for the Light of the Divine Nature We will read in the Divine Feminine Scriptures Earth Mother teach me of my kin, Of Hawk, and Dove, and flower, Of blinding sunlight, shady knoll, Desert wind and morning showers. Teach me every language of The creatures that sing to me, That I may count the cadence of Infinite lessons in harmony. Teach me how to honor The Sacred Spaces of all, Gently melding with the whole, Answering the whippoorwill's call. Steamy tropics to glacial ice, To thundering ocean tides, In every grain of desert sands, Your beauty forever abides. Oh, Mother of every kingdom, Let me claim my family's love, From the whales of the deepest oceans, To the Winged-ones, high above. Expand my limited vision Until I can truly know The missions of my Relations And the blessings they bestow. Jamie Sams We offer to the Omniscient God, our reverence, our homage, and our gratitude for the Light of the Divine Love We will read in the Jewish Scriptures Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. Deuteronomy 6.4 I am the Lord, and there is no other, besides me there is no God. Isaiah 45.5 We offer to the Omniscient God, our reverence, our homage, and our gratitude for the Light of the Divine Law We will read in the Christian Scriptures Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of working, but it is the same God who inspires them all in every one. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 1 Corinthians 12.4-7 We know that an idol has no real existence, and that there is no God but one. For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth--as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords"--yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. 1 Corinthians 8.4-6 We offer to the Omniscient God, our reverence, our homage, and our gratitude for the Light of the Divine Self-Sacrifice We will read in the Scriptures of Islam " Say, He is God, the One! God, the eternally Besought of all! He neither begets nor was begotten. And there is none comparable unto Him. Qur'an 112 To Him belong all creatures in the heavens and on the earth: even those who are in His very Presence are not too proud to serve Him, nor are they ever weary. They celebrate His praises night and day, nor do they ever flag or intermit. Or have they taken gods from the earth who can raise the dead? If there were, in the heavens or in the earth, other gods besides God, there would have been confusion in both! But glory to God, the Lord of the Throne; high is He above what they attribute to Him! Qur'an 21.19-22 We will now have a few minutes of silence (three minutes) Let us pray Salat Most gracious Lord, Master Messiah,...(facing the God candle) I searched, but I could not find Thee; I called Thee aloud, standing on the minaret; I rang the temple bell with the rising and setting of the sun; I bathed in the I came back from Ka'ba disappointed; I looked for Thee on earth; I searched for Thee in the heaven, my Beloved, But at last I have found Thee hidden as a pearl In the shell of my heart. Hazart Inayat Khan, The Gayan We offer to the Omniscient God, our reverence, our homage, and our gratitude for the Light of the Divine Truth Sermon Address to Cherags. Hazart Inayat Khan Summer School, Let us pray Khatum O Thou, Who art the Perfection of Love, Harmony and Beauty... (facing the God candle) Benediction (facing the congregation) May the Blessing of God rest upon you; may God's Peace abide with you; may God's presence illuminate your hearts now and for evermore. Amen |