Cheon Seong Gyeong 698
The principle of heaven and earth is very simple – I realized this after researching and checking all positions, going around even the back alleys of the spirit world. The truth is simple. Two things unite through an absolute force, creating a vacuum for God to enter that place and become the core, like the marrow of a bone. The two pieces of masculine and feminine love are stuck together. This is the core of the universe. The ideal substance of love unites them to become the axis of love. (170-170, 1987.11.15)
Cheon Seong Gyeong 1699
When seeking the fundamentals of the universe, we arrive at the concept of subject and object. Even the smallest woman sitting here has power within her, does she not? Would the power in this small woman desire to be the weak power of a small man, or the strong power of a big man? This is the case for the man too; if he were a small man, he would yearn for the power of a big woman. Why is this so? It is to attain a balance. Balance is the issue; you need to be perfectly perpendicular on a horizontal base. That is why the term ideal of reciprocity arises; it is from there that the ideal of reciprocity is derived. (216-9, 1991.3.3)
The Search for Knowledge
Investigate All Sides of a Subject
A gentleman can see a question from all sides without bias. The small man is biased and can see a question only from one side.
Analects 2.14 (Confucianism)
I am not biased in favor of Mahavira, nor averse to Kapila or other teachers. I am committed to the preaching that is truly rational.
Haribhadra, Loktattvanirnaya 38 (Jainism)
There are three things that occasion sorrow to a superior man [who is devoted to learning]: If there be any subject of which he has not heard, and he cannot get to hear of it; if he hear of it, and cannot get to learn it; if he have learned it, and cannot get to carry it out in practice.
Book of Ritual 18.2.2.20 (Confucianism)
Ben Zoma said, Who is wise? He who learns from every person, as it is taught, “From all my teachers I have acquired wisdom.” [Psalm 119.99]
Mishnah, Avot 4.1 (Judaism)
The Buddha says, “To be attached to a certain view and to look down upon others’ views as inferior—this the wise men call a fetter.”
Sutta Nipata 798 (Buddhism)
Comprehend one philosophical view through comprehensive study of another one. Acarangasutra 5.113 (Jainism)
I intend to make a careful study of my own religion and, as far as I can, of other religions as well.
Mohandas K. Gandhi (Hinduism)
Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.
Albert Einstein, The World as I See It
Teachings of Rev. Sun Myung Moon
In order to become a great scholar, you should absorb the great teachings of the many great men and women of the past. As you go through kindergarten, elementary, middle and high school, college and graduate school, you should be absorbing all the knowledge of the world’s prominent thinkers. You need to digest them and synthesize their thoughts into your own understanding. You can appear as a new, extraordinary thinker as you add your originality to the elements they provide. That is the way to become a world-class scholar.
The same applies on the path to fulfilling the Will of goodness. (35:327, November 1, 1970)
It is sad to see that, although knowledge in various fields of study does interrelate, all too often scholars prefer to concentrate only on their own field of study. Extreme specialization provides knowledge that may mean little to anyone other than the individual who pursues it. The joy of discovery should inspire a scholar to communicate his findings to others in terms they can understand. We should all be willing to listen, lest our knowledge be superficial and imprecise.
Religious people have felt threatened by the development of science—especially since the time of the Renaissance. Yet how can a religious person be concerned with salvation without being concerned with developing the knowledge and techniques necessary to solve the problems of hunger, disease, old age, and inadequate housing and clothing? Certainly science has contributed much towards these ends.
Furthermore, in contemplating the mystery and wonder of man and the universe, religion and science through inspiration, logic and observation both seek to explain, or at least point to, the cause that brought into existence the universe and humankind. Such contemplation of our origin and purpose is certainly one of the things that distinguish us as human beings. It provides us with never-ending sources of energy. In this regard, twentieth century cosmologists and biologists concern themselves with matters related to the concerns of theologians and philosophers. (95:202- 03, November 25, 1977)
In a world of many cultures, religions and social systems, where can we find a transcendent ideal and public purpose that can harmonize them all? To avoid being misled by partial values that favor one nation, culture, religion, race, or social system over another, we invite scientists and scholars representing every nationality, culture, religion, race and social system in a common search for truth. This truth should regard both the spiritual and physical aspects of human beings, that is, the needs of physical well-being within a comfortable and productive environment, as well as the spiritual needs—regard for personal virtue, promotion of morality and religious faith, and respect for the traditions of every culture. We must lift up the absolute value which will create the basis for constructive cooperation in every aspect of human existence. (November 25, 1988)