Last month I read the Upanishads, a collection of ancient Hindu sacred writings whose title, according to the introduction, means “an instruction, the sitting at the feet of a master,” with the Sermon on the Mount then given as an example.
I enjoy reading things like this on occasion, for the beauty of the work and the insight into foreign cultures, and also because I like seeing similarities between these writings and those of my own faith. Some notes I made are below:
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UPANISHADS |
LDS CONNECTIONS |
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Katha Upanishad 2-3 There is the path of joy, and there is the path of pleasure. Both attract the soul. Who follows the first comes to good; who follows pleasure reaches not the End. The two paths lie in front of man. Pondering on them, the wise man chooses the path of joy; the fool takes the path of pleasure.
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2 Nephi 2:27 Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.
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| Svetasvatara Upanishad Part II, 10
Find a quiet retreat for the practice of Yoga, sheltered from the wind, level and clean, free from rubbish, smouldering fires, and ugliness, and where the sound of waters and the beauty of the place help thought and contemplation.
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Sounds like a temple to me! =) |
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Svetasvatara Upanishad Part III, 15, 17, 20 God is in truth the whole universe: what was, what is, and what beyond shall ever be. He is the god of life immortal, and of all life that lives by food. The Light of consciousness comes to him through infinite powers of perception, and yet he is above these powers. He is God, the ruler of all, the infinite refuge of all. When by the grace of God man sees the glory of God, he sees him beyond the world of desire and then sorrows are left behind. Chandogya Upanishad 3.13.7 There is a Light which shines beyond all things on earth, beyond us all, beyond the heavens, beyond the highest, the very highest heavens. This is the Light that shines in our heart.
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Doctrine and Covenants 88: 6-7, 11-13, 50 He that ascended up on high, as also he descended below all things, in that he comprehended all things, that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth; Which truth shineth. This is the light of Christ. As also he is in the sun, and the light of the sun, and the power thereof by which it was made. And the light which shineth, which giveth you light, is through him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth your understandings; Which light proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space— The light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed, even the power of God who sitteth upon his throne, who is in the bosom of eternity, who is in the midst of all things. Then shall ye know that ye have seen me, that I am, and that I am the true light that is in you, and that you are in me; otherwise ye could not abound.
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From Maitri Upanishad 6.24 And when a mind which longs for truth finds the peace of its own source, then those false inclinations cease which were the result of former actions done in the delusion of the senses.
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Mosiah 5:2
And they all cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually. |
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From Maitri Upanishad 6.24 Words cannot describe the joy of the soul whose impurities are cleansed in deep contemplation—who is one with his Atman, his own Spirit. Only those who feel this joy know what it is.
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Alma 36:19-20
And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more. And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain!
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From Kaushitaki Upanishad 3.1 Bit Indra left not the path of truth, for God is truth. He then said to Pratardana: “Know me, for this is the best for man: to know God.”
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John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. |
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Taittiriya Upanishad 1.1 I will speak words of truth and the words of the divine law shall be on my lips.
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Joshua 1:8
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
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From Brihad-Arantaka Upanishad 4.3-4 The lovers of Brahman seek him through the sacred Vedas, through holy sacrifices, charity, penance and abstinence. He who knows him becomes a Muni, a sage. Pilgrims follow their life of wandering in their longing for his kingdom.
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Joseph Smith, History of the Church 5:134-135 Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God Articles of Faith 1:13 We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
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