Reading Assignment:
- SB Part Three: Chapter XI – The Law of Justice, Love and Charity
- SB Part Three: Chapter XII – Moral Perfection
Discussion Questions:
1. Jesus said, “Do unto others whatsoever you would have them do unto you.” Many religions have expressed the same thought. Discuss this universality in the light of Spiritism.
| Christianity | All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye so to them; for this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:1 |
| Confucianism | Do not do to others what you would not like yourself. Then there will be no resentment against you, either in the family or in the state. Analects 12:2 |
| Buddhism | Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful. Udana-Varga 5,1 |
| Hinduism | This is the sum of duty; do naught onto others what you would not have them do unto you. Mahabharata 5,1517 |
| Islam | No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself. Sunnah |
| Judaism | What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellowman. This is the entire Law; all the rest is commentary. Talmud, Shabbat 3id |
| Taoism | Regard your neighbor’s gain as your gain, and your neighbor’s loss as your own loss. Tai Shang Kan Yin P’ien |
| Zoroastrianism | That nature alone is good which refrains from doing another whatsoever is not good for itself. Dadisten-I-dinik, 94,5 |
2. Do you think privatizing social security (everyone has an IRA) is in accord with the teachings of Spiritism?
3. What is the charitable attitude towards the imperfections of others?
4. Do you see in any of the answers to Kardec’s questions a watering down of Jesus’ teaching? What do you think of this dialog between a very agitated man and the Hindu teacher Muktananda?
Q: What if I were to shoot you?
A: As your bullet was coming to me, my love would be going out to you.”
5. According to The Spirits’ Book, upon what does the improvement of our world most depend?
6. Jesus said, “Greater love has no man than to lay down his life for his fellows.” Did you find an echo of this statement in The Spirits’ Book?
7. Discuss the following: Capitalism is based on the principle of self-interest. Is it in accord with the teachings of Spiritism?
8. Of what value is the rigorous study required for the pursuit of science?
9. Is it right to be skeptical of the motives of a wealthy person who says he is acquiring wealth for the purpose of doing good?
10. Thinking about your own life and some craving of which you are not proud, what would be the most effective step you could take to overcome this craving?
11. What moral imperfection is the most difficult to uproot?
12. Does the message from St. Augustine at the end of Chapter XII offer some specific guidance you could follow daily on your own journey towards moral perfection?