~ Universal Spirituality ~


The Sacred Site acknowledges that spirituality is inherent in every human being, whatever their belief, and that even those involved in cruel actions have the potential to find goodness within them - hence our use of the word 'universal'. An increasing number of people interested in spirituality do not belong to any particular organized religion. However, their varied personal beliefs and practices often draw upon the wisdom teachings of the great religious traditions. The idea of 'many paths one God/Source, (with many names), is a common theme amongst them. This is opposite to fundamentalists of any given Faith, who believe that only their religion is the true faith. With a feeling for universal spirituality one can also embrace the possibility that any one religion may be the 'only way' for the people of that Faith ~ after all, who is any human to posses such ultimate knowledge? And who knows where our development will take us?

Therefore all beliefs are respected. Within every religion there is a wide range of beliefs, from those who position themselves at the fundamental end of the line to those who have respect for others' faiths. May we all support each others' spiritual growth.

We list the world's religions below, in alphabetical order, briefly describing each one. It is impossible to describe any Faith in a way that all of its followers will relate to, so this page is intended to be of service as an introduction. For 'inside' information on each Faith, visit the pertinent website on our links page.


~ Baha'i Faith ~
Absolute ~ Baha'i's believe in one God, many paths. They have a commitment to the unity of all religions and cultures, and hence this relaively new religion has a multicultural following.
Founder ~ Mirza Husayan Ali Nuri, known as 'Baha'u'lah', & his son Abdul Baha. Both lived in Iran in the 1800's.
Teachings ~ an 'evolutionary' approach -that the various religions of the world are 'stages on the way', with the Baha'i Faith the most evolved. Having said that, they believe that Baha-u-lah will also be superseded one day. The Baha'i's see that we are moving toward world government, equality of men & women, world language (English), world peace, justice and religious tolerance.
Practices ~ Daily private prayers, and observance of the Bahai holy days. No alcohol. Fasting for 19 days of the year, (no food & drinks between sunrise & sunset). Sociable, communal feasts every 19 days. Pilgrimage.
Daily Life ~ No particular dress code. No clergy, but the Spiritual Assembly, runs things from a local to global level. People are elected into social positions of responsibility. Bahai's work, in a nonpolitical way, towards world peace and unity. Many serve in NGOs around the world.
Relationships ~According to the culture you live in. Sex within marriage. Marriage a lifelong commitment. To divorce the couple must consult the Bahai community, and first observe a 'year of patience'.
Birth & Death ~ One life on this earth: the chance to perfect oneself. After death the soul goes to the spiritual realm, where it may help others.


~ Buddhism ~
Absolute ~ Buddhists do not believe 'God' as such. Rather they believe that everything is in the mind.
Teachings ~ The 4 Noble Truths (the nature of human suffering and how to end it), The 8 Fold Path. Dharma. Not causing harm to any being. The importance of a peaceful mind and a compassionate heart.
Founder ~ Gautama Buddha first established Buddhism in Nepal 2500 years ago. Buddhism is hierarchical, with the Dalai Lama being a world figure in Buddhism, though each 'school' has its own head.
Practices ~ Meditation, puja (worship), chanting, almsgiving, developing character, nonviolence, spiritual retreat.
Daily Life ~ Right livelihood. No particular dress code for householders. Clergy, (monks and nuns), wear robes.
Relationships ~ Relationships are guided by hot harming others. Marriage is spiritual training. Lifestyle: adapt to local culture. Celibacy for the clergy, with some exceptions.
Birth & Death ~ Belief in impermanence, reincarnation & karma. Use your life to prepare for death & next life.


~ Christanity ~
Absolute ~ One God, the Father or Mother/Father God.
Founder ~ Jesus Christ - the Son of God, upon whose birth the global, secular calendar is also based.
Teachings ~ Forgiveness. Love your enemies. Holy Trinity (Father, Son & the Holy Spirit). Good & evil, heaven & hell, sin & redemption. Care for the needy. Jesus is Savior. Humans have dominion over the earth.
Practices ~ Prayer, worship, singing & listening to sermons at Church. Social service. Observe Christian Holy days.
Daily Life ~ A wholesome family life is important. Work hard and help others. Dress according to culture. Some clergy wear robes or collars. It is common for Christians to wear a cross around the neck.
Relationships ~ Sex within marriage. Marriage a lifelong commitment, though divorce is allowed. Clergy (mostly men), may , or may not marry according to which Church they serve.
Birth & Death ~ One life on this earth. After death the soul goes either to heaven or hell, according to the way one has lived one's life.


~ Earth Spirituality ~
This is a category rather than a religion. It includes the many religions that centre their spiritual beliefs on nature, natural and spiritual forces, or the land where people reside. Some of these religions have been practised for three million years. The 'world religions' as listed above and below, have only emerged in the last few thousand years.

There is an upsurge of interest in this ancient spiritual heritage as we gain knowledge and respect for our indigenous peoples. A parallel interest in the West, of pre-Christian Celtic heritage is reflected in the revitalization of Paganism an Wicca, both nature-based religions.

Teachings ~ The main feature of Earth Spirituality is oneness: everything contains Spirit - rocks, trees, water, etc - there is no 'other'. Hence there is not worship, but identification. The teachings are oral: speech is alive and cannot exist separate from the speaker. Knowledge is stored in the collective memory, and there is great respect for the elders.

Practices ~ centre around the seasons and daily life. There is no importance placed on living this life for the sake of the 'afterlife'. Everything is 'now' - including the ancestors.

Some examples of these religions are: Aboriginal, American Indian, African, Pacific and Maori Spirituality, Paganism, Wicca, and perhaps Shintoism, though Shinto, the indigenous religion of Japan, has absorbed many influences from Buddhism, and hence is often listed separately.


~ Hinduism ~
Absolute ~ Hindus believe in One God - Brahman, who manifests through many Gods, Goddesses & others.
Founder ~ No one founder: many ancient 'rishi's' or yogis. There are many paths and religious sects, in India and in the West, that are founded on Hindu teachings. These paths follow their various founders (Gurus/Teachers).
Teachings ~ Dharma as moral responsibility. Satya (truth), Shanti (peace), Prema (devotion/love), Ahimsa (nonviolence). Brahman is present in everything and in everyone. 'Yuga's or ages - the current being the darkest. No one 'book' - there are many sacred texts in Hinduism, which is the world's oldest 'god-centred' religion.
Practices ~ Daily ablutions, prayer, meditation, chanting, puja (worship), observance of Holy Days. Strict Hindus observe a vegetarian diet. Caste system. Extended family life. Care of parents in old age. Help the needy.
Daily Life ~ Modest dress, covering the body according to culture. Clergy in robes according to path.
Relationships ~ Friendship between the sexes, especially youth & adult, is not acceptable unless in a group. Father is the authority. All relationships monitored by society. Mostly arranged marriages. Divorce uncommon.
Birth & Death ~ Belief in reincarnation and karma. Each lifetime one grows closer to God.


~ Islam ~
Absolute ~ Muslims believe in one God and His name is Allah.
Teachings ~ Everything is a gift and the will of Allah, therefore one is to submit to His will. Everyone has the right to the basic necessities of life. Laugh with people but not at them. Genetic engineering unacceptable.
Founder ~ The prophet Mohammed, who lived in Arabia approximately 1500 years ago.
Practices ~ Prayer at five set times each day, facing Mecca. Observance of Holy days. Moslems observe fasting during the month of Ramadan. During the fast they do not take food or drinks between sunrise and sunset.
Daily Life ~ Home is a private refuge. Self-reliance is a must, so unemployment is dishonorable. All honest 'halal' work is respected equally. Alcohol prohibited. Most Muslims dress according to the culture, and women often chose to wear a scarf. Fundamentalist Moslem women must be covered from head to toe, including the face.
Relationships ~ Sex within marriage. Birth control rarely acceptable. No celibate clergy. Extended family is the basis for society. Divorce is acceptable as a last resort, and after a waiting period. After divorce the father is responsible for the children. Some strands of Islam allow men to have more than one wife.
Birth & Death ~ One life. After death you follow Mohammed into heaven. Suicide unacceptable. Martyrdom is.

Sufism originated as an offshoot of Islam. The Sufi path has become known in the West for its universality, its mysticism and its romantic poets, especially Rumi.


~ Judaism ~
Absolute ~ Jews believe in one God who is beyond name and form. Sometimes referred to as Yahweh.
Teachings ~ Noah taught 7 commandments (rules), Moses 10, so Jews follow both. Other religions can lead people to God if right moral teaching is involved. Being the 'chosen' people does not mean superiority - rather that they have extra responsibilities toward God. Fear God. The 'Messiah', who will bring peace to the world, is still to come.
Founder ~ Avraham (Abraham), from Samaria, whose decedents bore the names of the 12 tribes of Israel. However Moses (1300 BCE), founded the faith we know more today.
Practices ~ Prayer, especially at home. Attend the Synagogue, observe the Sabbath each week, and Holy days.
Daily Life ~ No particular dress code, though fundamentalist Jews have a strict dress code, where men wear black, & black hats, and the women cover their bodies and their hair in public. Cleanliness is a religious duty. Alcohol may be consumed in moderation. A decent standard of living is necessary. Give to the needy. Everyone should work.
Relationships ~ Marriage important. Divorce acceptable if a 'get' is secured. Clergy, Rabbi, are mainly married.
Birth & Death ~ One life on earth, on which you're judged, and go to heaven or hell. Suicide is a sin: those who commit it are not buried alongside other Jews. Euthanasia is also unacceptable.


~ Sikhsm ~
Absolute ~ Sikhs believe in one God. Humans are divine in essence. Sikhs have respect for all Faiths.
Founder ~ Guru Nanak, who lived in the Punjab approx. 500 years ago. No priestly class nowadays.
Teachings ~ Oneness of God, and of humanity. Meditate on God's name, work honestly, & serve the needy. Transcend suffering. Nanak taught through poetry & song. His 10th and last successor did not. He compiled the Adi Granth, the central book of teachings.
Practices ~ Daily early morning prayer, meditation, scripture-reading. Compulsory observance of religious festivals. All Sikh men have the surname 'Singh', and all women, 'Kaur'.
Daily Life ~ Work is a religious duty, so begging is unacceptable. Many Sikhs work in medical care. Sikhs never remove or cut the hair. They observe the 5 K's:uncut hair, having a comb, a small sword, and wearing a steel wristlet & short under-trousers. Men wear turbans, women, Punjabi dress.
Relationships ~Women are equal, and can also conduct religious ceremonies. Marriages are partly arranged, and every adult marries if possible. Sex within marriage. A man or a woman may be head of the extended family. Divorce is reluctantly permitted and widows may remarry. Sikhs have no opposition to birth control. Thought Sikhs don't have to be vegetarian, many are , and only vegetarian food is served in the Gurdwara (temple).
Birth & Death ~ Sikhs believe in reincarnation.


~ Toaism ~
Absolute ~ Tao is the unproduced producer of all things. It takes form in the forces of yin and yang.
Founder ~ Lao Tsu who lived in China in 604 BCE. Taoism is preferred to as 'The Way'.
Teachings ~ Transform the character from within. Taoist virtue. Active 'inaction' - 'wu-wei'. Misery is a sin. Two main branches: religious and philosophical. Health important. Books: 'The Tao' (the way), and the 'I Ching'.
Practices ~ Meditation, Tai Chi, healing rituals, paying close attention to what is. Offerings to the Deities.
Daily Life ~ Find stability and order through practicing virtue and inner hygiene. Breathwork and the control of sexual energies is also practised. No particular dress code, though women often wear trousers.
Relationships ~ Life is natural, so relationships are natural and spontaneous. Marriage is usual.
Birth & Death ~ One life on this earth. One strives for longevity and some aim for immortality. However death is.


~ Zoroastrianism ~
Absolute ~ One God called Ahura Mazda - creator of all things, symbolised by fire - the sacred flame.
Founder ~ Zarathustra established faith in Iran in 1200 BCE. Zoroastrianism is the ancient religion of Persia, and the world's oldest prophetic religion. Two main branches of the faith differ in their teachings, due to the adoption of aspects of Indian culture of those who migrated there in the 10th century. In India they are known as 'Parsis' (Persians).
A recent exodus to Europe and America also occurred during the rule of the Ayatollah Khumayni.
Teachings ~ Personal responsibility. God is the Light within all. Ethical battle between good & evil. Education is stressed, and it is not unusual for up to 90% of Zoroastrians to attend university. Clergy are known as 'Magi'.
Practices ~ Daily prayers, and worship before the fire (sacred flame). Group events at the temple.
Daily Life ~ Strong in commerce, banking, industry and education. Parsis are vegetarian, and believe in reincarnation. Consumption of alcohol is unacceptable.
Relationships ~ Marriage, a lifelong commitment, is usually delayed due to the pursuit of education, and many Zoroastrians avoid marriage altogether. They have small families, and hence the number of followers is dropping.
Birth & Death ~ Parsis belief in reincarnation. The soul, immortal, is affected by one's deeds.

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