Sacred Lore

Carried by the force of his previous practice,

a man who seeks to learn discipline

passes beyond sacred lore

that expresses the infinite spirit in words.

The man of discipline, striving

with effort, purified of his sins,

perfected through many births,

finds a higher way.

The Bhagavad-Gita; Sixth Teaching, verses 44-45

        Synonymous with virtually every religion is a set of teachings or instructions used to help communicate, explain, and/or ground concepts that could otherwise remain lofty and inconceivable.  Despite their conceptual differences, each text is important to the faith system it supports.  For example, the Bhagavad-Gita, Hinduism’s most popular text, chronicles a conversation in which the foundations of non-attachment are laid in metaphors and suggestions, allowing much room for interpretation.  The Christian Bible approaches teaching in a different light, offering a literal story for metaphorical application to life and worship.  Almost opposite the Bhagavad-Gita is the Koran, a set of concrete Islamic regulations that must be followed in order to obtain righteousness.

        Muslims believe that the Koran consists of God’s word spoken through a series of visions seen by the prophet Mohammed.  These divine revelations began in the year 610 AD during a meditative retreat in the Cave of Hira, near Mecca.  They continued for twenty two years until all one hundred fourteen sections (or sūrah) were completed.  Consisting mostly of commands and guidelines, the Koran offers a definitive and tangible

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guide to Islamic living, the way of the righteous man.  Extremely specific and firm, it covers everything from proper inheritance distribution (4:11) to the proper side of one’s home to enter. (2:189)  The text also includes reinterpretations of Biblical stories, such as the life of Joseph (sūrah 12).  Because of its single author, the Koran maintains a uniquely personal aspect.  Mohammed includes a passage dedicated to the discrediting of a personal opponent (sūrah 111) and special marital allowances for himself. (33:50)

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        From its very beginnings, the Koran establishes itself as the final word on right living.  The first sentence reads, “This book is not to be doubted.  It is a guide for the righteous, who believe in the unseen and are steadfast in prayer.”   Later on, Mohammed quotes God as saying, “Here are the Scriptures and the wisdom I have given you,” (3:81) thus portraying the text as the direct word of God spoken through the prophet.  Both of these passages are integral to the Koran’s credibility as a holy scripture.  

        Mohammed’s version of right living is very works ...

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