Similar Teachings in the Major World Religions

For the kind information of the readers, I would like to share with you some similar teachings in the major world religions based on my research which include:  love – the golden rule, good ethics, sin and life after death: Heaven and Hell, Reincarnation, & Purgatory. Though there are similarities in these world religions, it is a must that we should still be vigilant in finding the real truth, for the truth shall set us free.

a. Love - the Golden Rule:

Simply  stated that for most religions, in fact, the Supreme Being who planned and created a Jew, created a Christian or a Muslim, the same God created the hands of a Hindu created the feet of a Christian and the brain of a Buddhist and the eyes of a Taoist and the liver of a Jew or Muslim... Yes!, in fact, we are all brothers in God the creator of each one of us... and we are all brothers in God to love us, never to hate not to have prejudice of anyone.

    The Golden Rule: Yes, most religions preach and try to practice the Golden rule, love each other, because we all are brothers in God:    

    - 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...  Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. - Leviticus 19:18, NIB
    - 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... All the Bible!, Matthew 7:1... Do to others as you would have them do to you, Luke 6:31 NIB
    - Islam, No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself. - Hadith recorded by al-Bukhari, Sunnah
    - Hinduism, This is the sum of duty; do naught onto others what you would not have them do unto you. Mahabharata 5,1517
    - Buddhism, Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful. Udana-Varga 5,18
    - Taoism, Regard your neighbor’s gain as your gain, and your neighbor’s loss as your own loss.Tai Shang Kan Yin P’ien
    - Jainism, Therefore, neither does he cause violence to others nor does he make others do so. - Acarangasutra 5.101-2
    - 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
    - Zoroastrianism, Whatever is disagreeable to yourself do not do unto others. - Shayast-na-Shayast 13:29.
    - Baha'i Faith, He should not wish for others what he does not wish for himself. - Baha'u'llah, Bahá'í Faith.
    - Humanism, don't do things you wouldn't want to have done to you. - British Humanist society
    - Wicca: Bide the Wiccan Rede ye must, In Perfect Love and Perfect Trust; Live ye must and let to live, Fairly take and fairly give, the opening statement
    - Socrates, Do not do to others what would anger you if done to you by others
    - Epictetus, What you would avoid suffering yourself, seek not to impose on others
    - Ancient Egypt, Do for one who may do for you, / That you may cause him thus to do.- The Tale of the Eloquent Peasant 109-110, tr. R.B. Parkinson.

     The Golden Rule, the positive Egyptian, Leviticus, Confucianist art of virtue, Christian, Muslim, and Wolf Bahá'í versions call for active interactions,, which allows a masochist to harm others without their consent. This differs from the negative/passive version of the rule, sometimes called the Silver Rule, which says that one should abstain from certain actions.

b.    Ethics:

Most religions agree to preach and promote good ethics, good human conduct in the light of good moral principles.

We already mentioned the Golden Rule... Love, and, of course, anything that goes with it, goodness, forgiveness, faithfulness, benevolence, friendliness, generosity, good will, honesty, kindness, mercy, righteousness, humility, humility, humility...

The 10 Commandments are promoted by most religions, "don't kill," or "don't steal.", "don’t lie"...

   

Plato emphasized four virtues in particular, which were later called cardinal virtues: wisdom, courage, temperance and justice.

Aristotle argued that virtues are good habits that we acquire, which regulate our emotions.  For example, in response to my natural feelings of fear, I should develop the virtue of courage which allows me to be firm when facing danger.  Aristotle also argued that most virtues fall at a mean between more extreme character traits.  With courage, for example, if I do not have enough courage, I develop the disposition of cowardice, which is a vice.  If I have too much courage, I develop the disposition of rashness which is also a vice.

    Our duties:

        - Fidelity: the duty to keep promises and to do with diligence our job
        - Reparation: the duty to compensate others when we harm them
        - Gratitude: the duty to thank those who help us
        - Justice: the duty to recognize merit and to pay in justice our workers
        - Beneficence: the duty to improve the conditions of others
        - Self-improvement: the duty to improve our virtue and intelligence
        - Non-malfeasance: the duty not to injure others.

Some Normative Principles of Ethics:
  - Personal benefit acknowledge the extent to which an action produces
    beneficial consequences for the individual in question.

  - Social benefit: acknowledge the extent to which an action produces beneficial

                consequences for society.
              - Principle of benevolence: help those in need.
              - Principle of paternalism: assist others in pursuing their best interests when they

       cannot do so themselves.
  - Principle of harm: do not harm others.
  - Principle of honesty: do not deceive others.
  - Principle of lawfulness: do not violate the law.
  - Principle of autonomy: acknowledge a person's freedom over his/her physical

    or spiritual actions or physical body.
   - Principle of justice: acknowledge a person's right to due process, fair

     compensation for harm done, and fair distribution of benefits, fair payments in

     the job
   - Rights: acknowledge a person's rights to life, freedom, pursue of happiness,

     information, privacy, free expression, and safety.

c.      Sin:

Sin has always been a term most usually used in a religious context, and describes any lack of conformity to the will of God; especially, any willful disregard for the norms revealed by God is a sin... any bad ethic behavior is actually a sin... but the greatest and most deceiving sin for most religions is the lack of faith in God, in the Ultimate Reality, in the Supreme Being.

Religions acknowledge the sins of every individual and of the society in general, so, most religions preach and promote to avoid sins and errors.

But what about with those sins or errors already committed?: How are they punished, or atoned or forgiven:

1- Most religions agree that sins are punished by God directly or by his rules of

         creation: If you drink too much you became an alcoholic, if you take too many

         drugs you became a drug-addict, if you steel or kill you may end up in jail, if you

          have sexual sins you may end up with syphilis or herpes or AIDS...
2- But most religions also claim the mercy of God for the cleaning and atonement of

         any sin.

Judaism: God is said to have thirteen attributes of mercy:

God is merciful before someone sins, even though God knows that a person is capable  of sin.

God is merciful to a sinner even after the person has sinned.

God represents the power to be merciful even in areas that a human would not expect or deserve.

God is compassionate, and eases the punishment of the guilty.

God is gracious even to those who are not deserving.

God is slow to anger.

God is abundant in kindness.

God is a god of truth, thus we can count on God's promises to forgive repentant sinners.

God guarantees kindness to future generations, as the deeds of the righteous patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) have benefits to all their descendants.

God forgives intentional sins if the sinner repents.

God forgives a deliberate angering of Him if the sinner repents.

God forgives sins that are committed in error.

God wipes away the sins from those who repent. Talmud (tractate Rosh HaShanah 17b).

   

Christianity:
Jesus Christ on the Cross at Calvary paid for all the sins of humanity... and to appropriate His redemption, His ransom is easy, free, by grace, without any effort, without any work, Just have faith in Jesus, do what He tells you, and your sins will be forgiven, completely erased, all of them!...
    - Jesus is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29, 35).
    - "For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission

       of sins." (Matthew 26:28).
    - Jesus appeared so that he might take away our sins (1John 3:5)
    - The blood of Jesus purifies us from all sin. (1John 1:7).    
    - Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be

      condemned. (Mark 16:16)
    - Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you

      will be saved–you and your household.” (Acts 16:30-31).

      Jesus gave to his disciples the power to to forgive sins or not to forgive them... just    

       confess your sins and they will be forgiven:
    - The first item in the first apparition to the Apostles Jesus told them: "receive the Holy  

      Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven tem; if you retain the sins of

      any, they are retained" (Jn.21:23).
    - "If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse

      us from all unrighteousness" (1Jn.1:9).

Islam:

Islam sees sin (dhanb ذنب) as anything that goes against the will of Allah. Muslims believe that God is angered by sin and punishes some sinners with the fires of Hell (Jahannam), but that He is also the Merciful (Ar-Rahman) and the Forgiving (Al-Ghaffar), and forgives those who repent and serve Him:, Say: "O my Servants who have transgressed against their souls! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah: for Allah forgives all sins: for He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Qur'an 39:53)

Some of the major sins are held to be legally punishable in an Islamic state (for example, murder, theft, adultery, and in some views apostasy; see sharia). Most are left to God to punish (for example, backbiting, hypocrisy, arrogance, filial disrespect, lying).

Hinduism:

In Hinduism, the term sin or papum is often used to describe actions that create negative karma, bad deeds, with disastrous consequences in the next reincarnation.

Sin, in Hinduism, besides creating negative karma, is violating moral and ethical codes as in the religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. In fact, it is much described in the scriptures that chanting the name of Hari or Narayana or Shiva is the only way to atone for sins, prevent reincarnation, rebirth, and attain moksha, the liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth.

The residue of sin is called papa, (bad merits that occur due to bad deeds), sometimes conceived of as a sticky, astral substance which can be dissolved through penance (prayashchitta), austerity (tapas) and good deeds (sukritya). Note that papa is also accrued through unknowing or unintentional transgressions of dharma, as in the term aparadha (offense, fault, mistake).

d.  Life After-Death: Heaven and Hell... Reincarnation... Purgatory:

Most religions believe in a life after death:

1- In the West it is eternal Heaven or eternal Hell. If you die without sin, with all the sins forgiven, you go to eternal Heaven. If you die with sins, you will go to eternal Hell, belive it or not, like it or not, it is a fact. Heaven-Hell

2- In the East it is usually Reincarnation:
Reincarnation is the rebirth in new bodies or forms of life after death... This "belief" is not a thrill for a Hindu, nor even a good happening to expect, it is the worse imaginable "curse"!... the greatest fear for a Hindu is not to die, but to reincarnate... all the ascetic sacrifices, all the yoga and puja practices, is to avoid reincarnation... to live nude, without food of a Jainist is to avoid the next reincarnation... the great sacrifices of a Buddhist in a monastery for life, is to avoid reincarnation...

And the final aim of life, the ultimate dream of a Hindu is "moska", the final union of his soul with Brahman, with no more reincarnations, the liberation of the curse of reincarnation...

Remember the above Argument of Pascal: "If you believe in Heaven and Hell and turn out to be incorrect, you have lost nothing -- but if you don't believe in Heaven and Hell and turn out to be incorrect, you will go to hell. Therefore, again, it is foolish to be an atheist."

What about Purgatory?

It is a clear and firm doctrine in Catholicism and also in many primitive religions: The great festivities in China, for example, are either to pray for the death ancients or to ask them a favor for  help... if it is to pray for them, it is because they may be in a place similar to Purgatory where the prayers help the death ancients... if it is to ask them for help, it is because they are in a place similar to glorious Heaven where they can help.

The Meaning of Islam

It is indeed my responsibility being a Muslim to share with you what is the meaning of Islam.  A lot of people have misconceptions about it.  But sharing with you its connotation probably will give proper insights, enlightenment and bring harmony and peace towards these misconceptions.  Some important Arabic terms with their corresponding English translations will be used  for the readers’ information and guidance like: salam, Jannah, hadith, and taghoot.

The word Islam means submission to Allah the Almighty, the Creator and Lord of all creation, with the entire soul and body, by obedience to what He commanded and prohibited in His Revealed Law, by compliance and willful yielding of one’s will to His Will and Judgments, and by acceptance of all that Allah has predestined for man on earth. Allah is the Most Beneficent and Merciful who knows all man’s rightful needs, who enjoins all that is good and warns against all that is evil. Thus His revealed Law is perfectly suited to the universal needs, rights and responsibilities of man.

The Almighty Allah states in the Glorious Qur’an in relation to Prophet Ibraheem (Abraham)  :

(Behold! His Lord said to him: Submit. He said: I submit to the Lord and Cherisher of the Universe.) (2:131)

The word “Salam” means “Peace" and is derived from the same Arabic three-letter root SLM as the word Islam. “Salam” is one of the attributes of Allah, blessed be His Names and Attributes and Exalted His Majesty, as the Qur’an states:

(Allah is He, there is no other god except Him; the Sovereign, the Holy One, the Source of Peace (and Perfection), the Guardian of Faith, the Preserver of Safety, the Exalted in Might, the Irresistible, the Supreme: Glory is to Allah! High is He above the partners they attribute to Him.)   (59:23)

"Salam" is also one of the names of Jannah (Paradise). The Almighty Allah states in the Glorious Qur'an:

(For them will be a Home of Peace with their Lord. He will be their Friend, because they practiced righteousness.)   (6:127)

The inhabitants of Paradise will greet each other with "Salam” when they meet their Lord, Allah as he mentioned:

(Their salutation on the Day they meet Him will be “Peace” and He has prepared for them a generous Reward.)   (35:44)

Muslims exchange the purified and noble greetings “As-Salamu Alaikum” (Peace be upon you) when they meet, when they pass by one another, when they call one another. Even when a Muslim enters his own home and finds no one there, he says as-Salamu Alaikum since he offers this greeting upon the angels who are present in that place and upon himself. This form of greeting helps to relieve the hearts from all forms of enmity and grudges and rancor people may keep within them, replacing it with good will, mutual respect, tranquility, security and happiness. Often Muslims greet one another by saying the fuller version, which has been taught by the Prophet of Allah: 'As-Salamu Alaikum wa rahmatul'laah' i.e. “May Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon you, and His Mercy.”

In the Prophetic traditions (hadith) we find the words of the Messenger of Allah  which make the spreading of this greeting from among the traits of the perfection of faith:

“You would not enter Paradise until you acquire full faith, and you would not acquire full faith until you love one another. Should not I guide you to an action which if you establish among one another, you would love one another? Spread the greeting of “Salaam” (Peace) as much as you can amongst yourselves (in the community).” (Muslim)

And the Messenger of Allah  said:

“Offer food generously to others; initiate the greeting of “peace” amongst yourselves to those whom you know and those whom you do not know.”   (Bukhari & Muslim)

The purpose of Islam is to continually seek to please Allah, the Creator and Lord of the Universe, by universal good and righteous deeds. Allah says in his Glorious Book, the Qur’an:

(O People of the Book! There has come to you Our Messenger revealing to you much that you used to hide in the Book, and passing over much (that is now unnecessary). There has come to you from Allah a light and a clear Book by which Allah guides all who seek His pleasure to ways of “salam” (peace and safety), leads them out of darkness, by His Will, to the light, and guides them to a Path that is Straight.)   (5:15-16)

Islam comprises the complete comprehensive meaning of peace that includes the inner personal and spiritual peace and the outer social peace. As the Messenger of Allah (r) said:

“A true Muslim is the person from whom other Muslims feel secured against abuse and attacks from his tongue and hands, and a true immigrant is a person who forsakes what Allah the Almighty has declared unlawful.”   (Bukhari & Muslim)

Moreover, it includes the global vision of general universal peace for all humanity, since its basic principles include stability, mutual respect, and non-aggression to those who abide peacefully to just terms, especially those who have the basic understanding of a revealed religion from Allah as the basis of their civilization like the Christians and Jews.

(O you who believe! Enter into “as-Silm” (the peace of Islam by submission to Allah) completely and whole-heartedly, and do not follow the footsteps of the Satan, for he is indeed an avowed enemy to you.)   (2:208)

The invitation of Islam, Allah’s universal religion, is extended to all. Allah Most Exalted said in His Majestic Book:

(Say (O Muhammad) ‘O mankind! Verily, I am sent to you all as the Messenger of Allah...)   (7:158)

And He said:

(Truly the religion before Allah is Islam.)   (3:19)

And He  said:

(And Whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers.)   (3:85)

Islam builds a foundation for friendly relationships between men on the principles of public and mutual interests of all the parties concerned. Never is there to be any compulsion or force for the acceptance of Islam. Islam wishes well for all regardless of color, creed, geographic location and nationality. Its laws and principles promote universal modes of righteousness, benevolence and justice. Muslims are commanded to love for the cause of Allah and hate for the cause of Allah, and never for any other special interests, worldly desires or whims. One does not love or hate the person per say, but loves the good and hates the evil shown by the behavior of that person. Allah the Almighty states:

(Hold to forgiveness; command what is right; but turn away from the ignorant.)   (7:199)

Islam brings people from the darkness of ignorance and injustice, to the true light of guidance and justice. Allah the Wise and Sublime states:

(Allah is the Protector and Ally of those who have faith: He leads them from the depths of darkness into the light. The disbelievers are the patrons and allies of the taghoot (Satan, idols, tyrants): from light they lead them into the depths of darkness. They will be Companions of the Fire to dwell therein (forever).)   (2:257)

Islam educates all Muslims to be peaceful, forgiving, patient and caring. Islam seeks all means to establish social justice in the society and protect the rights of all citizens of the Islamic state and encompasses them all in its welfare system. Islam exhorts upon Muslims to be good to others without expecting a favor rather seeking the reward from Allah, their Lord Most Bountiful. Islam educates Muslims to respect and honor the divine instructions and laws so that every member in the society feels secure, safe and peaceful, except those who, by their criminal activities, deserve to be punished with justice for transgression. Islam educates Muslims to be selfless and to like for others as they wish for themselves so that the entire society benefits: the old are to be kind to the young and minor; the young are to be merciful, respectful and helpful to the old; the rich to be generous to the poor; all should seek to aid the needy. Islam aims for the ideal society wherein the statement of Allah's Messenger (r) would be fulfilled:

“The example of the believers in their love and affection to one another is like that of the organs of one body. If one organ aches, the rest of the body becomes feverish, and is affected.”

We all know that death is the final destiny of every living being, the crucial question is: what happens after death? Muslims like all believers in scriptures believe in the Resurrection after death wherein all will meet just rewards or punishments in an eternal life, either in the bliss of Gardens of Paradise or the blazing fires of Hell. As for those who sincerely accept Islam as a way of life, they surely took the safe path that leads to happiness and the bliss after death. As for those who commit evil acts in this world against innocent people and without any just basis, they would be punished and penalized for what they have committed against innocent people. However, if one commits any act of disobedience against the Commandments of Allah, the Almighty; it is totally up to the Will and Mercy of Allah. If He Wishes to torture the evildoer by His justice, there is no one to intercede on his behalf unless Allah permits. And if Allah wishes to pardon such an evildoer, He would do so out of His Mercy and Generosity.

As for those who turn away from Islam, or turn their backs to it and die as non- Muslims, we do believe that such people would stay in the Fire of Hell eternally.

For the above reasons,  Islam  urges  every sensible, thoughtful and respective human being to seek true salvation for his soul by correct actions and based on the Mercy of Allah, the Most Merciful. It encourages  every person to seek the Right and Straight Path that leads to Paradise; that is the Path of Allah; the Path of Islam; the total submission to Allah. This is the Path that leads to happiness for eternity. Allah the Almighty says of those enemies who spread false propaganda against Islam:

(Their intention is to extinguish Allah's Light by their mouths: but Allah will complete (the revelation of) His Light, even though the disbelievers may detest (it).)  (61:8)

The Messenger of Allah  said:

“By the One in Whose Hand the soul of Muhammad is! No member of this nation (to be called), no Jew or Christian who hears of me and does not believe in what I was sent with, but he will be of the people of the Fire.”

(Muslim)

Kapag May Hirap, May Ginhawa

Maliit pa lang ako sinabi kuna sa aking sarili na ang aking kapalaran ay magiging iba  sa Tatay ko (sumalangit nawa ang kanyang kaluluwa).

Ang ambisyon ko sa buhay ay simply lamang. Iyan ay ang magkaroon ng trabaho sa opisina at iyon ay tinatawag nila sa English:  “White Collar Job”. Naka uniporme at palaging malinis sa araw-araw.  Kung may kurbata mas maigi.  Ganoon ang nakita  ko sa aking sarili sa aking paglaki.  Ayaw ko ng pagiging mekaniko ng aking Tatay dahil sa dumi at maraming gawain ang kaaikibat nito.  Sa kanyang pagiging strikto at matapang sa trabaho, ako ay laging lumalayo para hindi mapag buntunan ng galit kapag ako ay nagkamali.  Maalala ko pa iyong sampal,  tadyak at bulyaw na naranasan ko noon ng bata pa ako.  Hindi naman dahil sa katangahan ko bagkus ay  ang rason ay ang aking pagiging bata at hindi bihasa sa mga bagay bagay na umuugnay sa mga makina.

Hindi komot strikto ang tatay ko, malupit na siya.  Doon ko nalaman at napagtanto na ang kanyang pagiging strikto ay para lang ako ay matuto at maging dalubhasa sa mga bagay bagay para din sa aking ikabubuti.  Siguro kung alam lamang ng Tatay ko ang tamang “Paraan ng Pagtuturo” siguro naging maalam din ako sa lahat ng bagay na gusto niyang ituro sa akin.  

Galit at pagkamuhi ang bumalot sa aking  katauhan sa pagiging strikto ng tatay ko.  Napadagdag pa sa hindi siya naniniwala sa kahalagahan ng edukasyon o pag-aaral.  Ang kanyang punto, hindi raw siya nag-aral.  Pero marunong siyang magbasa, magsulat.  Isa pa nga raw siyang dalubhasang mekaniko at nagawa niya iyon dahil lang sa karanasan at sang-ayon ako sa kanya ng  100 porsiyento.  Ang galing galing talaga ng Tatay ko.  Magaling din siyang mag-English dahil siya ay naturuan ng mga Amerkano noong panahon ng mga Hapon.  Pagiging karpintero, electrician, sabihin mo, alam niyang lahat iyon. Nakakabelieve talaga siya at doon ang naging panuntunan niya sa Buhay na kung gusto mong maging matagumpay sa buhay, karanasan lang daw ang magtuturo noon.  Pero noon iyon, bago na ang panahon ngayon.  Dapat nasa paaralan ka para matuto.

Kapag ako ay nag-aaral, siya ay nagagalit.  Sinasabihan na lang  akong tumulong sa mga gawain sa bahay.  Ang mapagmahal ko namang Nanay  (sumalangit din nawa ang kanyang kaluluwa) ay magsasabing doon na lang daw ako sa loob ng kuwarto at siya na ang bahala sa Tatay ko.  Naks ang sweet nila.   Sa Nanay ko maraming maraming salamat po at nandoon kayo  lagi  para alalayan ako sa aking pag-aaral.  Dahil po sa inyo, naipaglaban ko ang aking karapatan na makatapos para sa aking magandang kinabukasan.

Ang tatay ko ay malupit lamang kapag mayroon siyang ginagawa at kung wala naman, siya ay mabait na parang tupa.  Kung minsan, inaalisan ko siya ng puting buhok o puting bigote na ang gantimpala ay panonood  ng sine.  Na siya namang kanyang tinutupad.  Galante siya pag marami siyang pera.  Pag wala naman, huwag ka na lang lumapit baka isang malaking bigwas ang iyong makamtan.

Kahit sinasaktan ako ng Tatay ko, at alam ko din namang iyon ay dahil sa pagkakamali ko, paborito pa din ako ng Tatay ko dahil lahat ng aming mga bangka ay nakapangalan sa akin.  King Yaboy ang nakatatak sa mga iyon.  Kung ako ay Prinsipe “Amir” dito sa Saudi Arabia, ako pala ay hari na noong kamusmusan ko.  Sayang at nangasirang lahat ang mga iyon dahil sa sunod sunod na bagyo.

Sampung taon akong nagdiriwang ng aking kaarawan na may kasama pang sayawan.  Isang buong baboy din ang kinakatay para mapagsaluhan din ng lahat.   Iyan ay  dahil sa pangako ng aking Tatay na kapag wala ng lalaki na susunod pa sa akin.  Pero noong nagkasunod-sunod ng isinilang ang mga kapatid kong lalaki, bigla ring nawala ang sayawan at ang  pagkatay ng baboy. Tunay akong nalungkot, pero wala din naman akong magagawa.  

Nagsimula ding tumamlay ang aming kabuhayan sa dagat dahil sa sunod sunod na bagyong dumating  na nakasira sa lahat ng aming  bangka.  Nakatulong ng malaki ang pagiging mananahi ng aking mahal na Nanay na kung hindi siguro nalipasan na kami ng mga kapatid ko ng gutom.   Maalala kupa na kahit gabing gabi na, ang aking Nanay ay nananahi  pa rin,  para lang matubos at mabayaran ito para lang may makain kami kinaumagahan.  Doon nainiwala ako sa  kasabihang  “isang kahig, isang tuka” na tumutukoy sa aming pamilya.  Na kung hindi kakayod ang aking mahal na Nanay ay wala kaming mapagsasaluhan.

Sa kadahilanang humina ang aming kita sa dagat, napagpasyahan ng aking Nanay at Tatay na lumipat na lang sa isa sa mga bahay ng aking Tatay at doon nakapagpatayo sila ng isang Vulcanizing Shop na tinaguriang “Four Brothers Vulcanizing Shop”.

High School na ako noon at nakita ko na kahit papano’y nakatulong ang shop sa aming kabuhayan.  Naging masipag ang aking mga kapatid at lahat sila ay nakapagpatuloy sa kanilang pag-aaral at dalawa sa kanila ang nakapagtapos sa TESDA na kung saan naging matagumpay at  makapagtrabaho  sa ibang bansa.  

Dahil sa aking pagpupunyagi, ako rin ay nakatapos ng aking pag-aaral.  Hirap at pasakit ang aking ginawa para lamang matustusan ko ang aking pag-aaral.  Kinailangang magtrabaho ako sa gabi para may pantustos ako sa aking matrikula.  Nakatapos ako ng Associate in Secretarial Science (ASS) at nagkamit ng karangalan.  Doon ko nakita ang aking Tatay na lumuha habang ikinakabit ang aking medalya.  Siya ay tuwang tuwa at ipinagmalaki  ako sa lahat  dahil sa nakamit kong karangalan at kasama ng pagtatapos ko ng aking pag-aaral.  Natuwa din ako dahil sinabihan niya ang aking mga kapatid na sumunod sa aking mga yapak.  Napagwari ng aking ama na ang pag-aaral ay isang kayamanan na hindi makukuha ninuman bagkus ito ang magbibigay ng malakas na pundasyon para sa ikagaganda ng aming kinabukasan.

Bago ang aking ASS, ako din ay nakapasa sa proceso ng Study Now Pay Later Plan. Dapat sana Electronics and Communication Engineering ang kurso ko.  Sa kasamaang palad, hindi ko ito naipagpatuloy sa kadahilanang non-members ang aking mga magulang sa SSS o GSIS.  Dahil dito ay nagdesisyon na lang ako na kumuha ng 2-year course na ASS  para mapadaling  matanggap sa kahit anong kumpanya.  Dahil sa mahusay at matalino daw ako, bago ang aking pagtatapos, nakuha na kaagad akong magtrabaho sa DECS. 

Ipinagpatuloy ko ang aking 4-Year Course at nakatapos din ng  BSCommerce.  Bago pa man makagraduate, ako ay natanggap din kaagad  bilang Territory Manager sa Wyeth-Suaco Labs Incorporated.  Natapos ko ang aking tatlong taon doon  at nagdesisyon na pumunta ng Saudi.  Sa kasamaang palad ako ay hindi nagtagumpay.  Tama na naman ang kasabihang: "kung hindi ukol, di bubukol." Malaswang pakingggan pero ito ay nagpapahiwatig na: kung hindi nakatadhana sa iyo, ay hindi magiging iyo.  Dapat daw na maging positibo at magkaroon ng malakas na pananampalataya na harinawa makakamit mo rin ang iyong gusto sa tamang panahon.

Dahil sa ako ay may pananagutan na, kinailangan kong maghanap ng trabaho.  Ako ay naging guro sa kolehiyo ng DMMMSU at SLC.  At habang ako ay nagtuturo ako ay kinailangang ding kumuha ng MBA dahil ito raw ang patakaran sa pagtuturo sa kolehiyo.  Imbes na kumpletohin ang aking Thesis para matapos ko na ang aking MBA, ako ay natanggap sa Saudi na maging salesman ng ibat-ibang telepono.  Dahil sa maliit ang sahod, nag try akong mag-apply ulit sa ibang kumpanya na kung saan natanggap akong Secretary at naging Administrative Assistant  kalaunan sa isang malaking kumpanya sa Saudi na kung tawagin nila ay "SABIC.". 

 

Dito sa SABIC naipagpatuloy ko at natapos ko ang aking MBA at nakumpleto ko ang aking academic requirements sa PhD in Educational Management.   Kahit manawari ay hindi ko aakalain na makakatapos ako ng mas mataas na edukasyon  at magkamit  ng  mas mataas na karangalan.  Tama nga ang kasabihan na kapag may hirap, may ginhawa.

Ang ginhawa’t  tagumpay ko sa buhay  ay utang ko sa aking mga magulang, asawa’t mga anak.   At ang pasasalamat ng malaki sa Poong Maykapal na nagbigay sa akin ng lubos na  gabay at  lakas ng loob para tuparin ko ang aking mga mithiin sa Buhay.  Sa Kanyang patuloy na paggabay,  maraming maraming salamat po.

Surprise!

The word surprise comes to mind when Blogs ng Pinoy questioned my being a Pinoy.  The blog that I chose to share with friends and readers is General Knowledge.  It is a common denominator that such title would tackle any subjects under the sun.  However, I give more emphasis on management particularly on business and education.  For reasons, I completed my MBA and PhD in Educational Management.  Albeit I am a Pinoy,  majority of my discussions would be in English.  But I will try to inject some pinoy  blogs/articles  so as I will not be suspected as an alien of my own country.

I am a real Pinoy by heart for I was born in the whimsical beach atmosphere in La Union.  In short a native of Ilocandia.  But in reality , I am not for I was just raised up in such place.  My father hails from Panglao, Bohol and my mother, a bicolana from Polangui, Albay.  What a love affair, isn’t it?  The question, how they were able to communicate.  We should be thankful that we have our national language which is Pilipino, if not we will face difficulty in understanding one another. 

My parents (May their souls rest in peace) migrated in La Union for my father had several fishing boats.  Not only fishing but also salvaging of big ships ruined  during the war.  These income earning activities were not forever .  Natural disaster  like typhoon seemingly devastated the workflow of my father and his workers.  Thus transferring to a place, far from the sea  where he can have a real  peace of mind.

 

Four Brothers Vulcanizing Shop was born where all my four brothers learned to vulcanize at a very young age.  Lucky me, I tried my best  to improve myself by completing my high school education.  Though my school was a public school with minimal tuition fees, still I faced difficulty in paying them.  My mother (may her soul  rest in peace) was always there to assist and guide me.  I love you Nanay  with all my heart.  Really, I miss you so much.  Sorry for I was not able to give you the comfort of life when you were still alive together with Tatay.

Yes, my mother  was a hardworking mom.  Being a dressmaker, she rushes every dress she received so that we have something to eat.  At times doing the vulcanizing task when my younger brothers can’t be awaken during the early morning time.  She is really one of a kind.  Loving, kind and dedicated mother to all my siblings.  She passed away when I was in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, wishing and waiting that I will be at her side. I was there, and she was gone, my mother whom I cared and loved so much. 

For all my achievements in life, I dedicate them all to my parents for they gave me life and hopes to succeed. 

 

I hope such revelation would expunge the idea that I am not a stranger but rather  a Real Pinoy.

The Need for an Effective School Supervision

Supervision is needed in order that the three components of the educative process, namely: the learner, the teacher, and the venue  or the school  functions effectively.  This can be done by giving priority or importance  to the learner  as the end-goal of the process which should be properly nurtured; it is the teacher and his enthusiastic package lesson that can best help in charting the destiny of the learner; and sees to it  that the school that serves as the venue for the learning experiences of the pupils should be designed conducively.  These three elements are indispensable in running a school for they are intertwined.  The absence of one element, the educative process would not be in an ideal perspective.

The four main functions of supervision succinctly reveal the necessity of supervision as follows:

1.      As to administrative, supervision provides information about policy and procedures; acts as a communication channel for vertical and lateral contacts (sometimes also acting as a "buffer" between the worker and other systems); carries authority for making certain policy and procedural decisions; and is responsible to delegate both authority and power to the supervisee.

2.      As to educational, educational - supervision engages the worker in examination of practice, knowledge, skills, value and attitudinal issues. Through this examination of work, the worker can improve his/her ability to do the job effectively.

3. As to support - On-the-job stress comes from a variety of sources - client-related, agency-related, and community-related. Accumulated stress can interfere both with learning and with service to clients, and the supervisor can provide support to reduce feelings of stress.
4. As to evaluation - The supervisor is required to establish expected performance standards and state methods that will be used to evaluate progress. The evaluation aspect of supervision can provide direction and support for ongoing development and learning, and also helps ensure quality and accountability of services.

The school can never function well in the absence of  an effective supervision.  Without effective supervision, quality of instruction can never be achieved.  Supervision is a task being done by the school administrator to improve instruction.  Such objective can only be attained through the evaluation of the teaching-learning process where supervision plays a vital role.

Supervision is needed in any enterprise for better assurance that action is performed correctly, taking place currently, and in accordance with plans and action.  It can be then wrap up as emphasized by Miranda (1993) that supervision leads to purposeful action on the part of workers and employees who are the subject of supervision.

In education for instance, when an educator speaks of a school, what comes next in the scene is supervision. In fact, the function of supervision evolved with development of public or private school systems, its problems and its opportunities. Education is an organized enterprise that expends billions of money. Supervision is needed to assure that this money used most effectively in the interest of children. The goals of any given school system can be realized though proper supervision.

Obtaining and using supervision effectively is a significant part of any worker. The following discussion focuses on ways in which we can use supervision more actively and effectively.

The purposes of supervision

• To ensure that the worker is clear about roles and responsibilities.
• To encourage the worker to meet the profession’s objectives.
• To encourage quality of service to clients.
• To encourage professional development and provide personal support .
• To assist in identifying and managing stress in the l worker’s professional role.
• To consider the resources the  worker has available to do their job and manage issues arising where they are inadequate.
• To provide a positive environment within which work practice can be discussed and reviewed.

Principles of supervision

• All workers require supervision.
• The best interest of the client must always come first except where there are threats to safety.
• Supervision is mandated by agency policy.
• Supervision is culturally safe and gender appropriate for the participants.
• Supervision is a shared responsibility.
• Supervision is based on a negotiated agreement which has provision for conflict resolution.
• Supervision is regular and uninterrupted.

• Supervision promotes critically reflective, competent, responsible, and empowered practice.
• Supervision promotes anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive practice.
• Supervision is based on an understanding of how adults learn.  
• Supervision provides for appropriate consultation when needed in regard to issues related to gender, culture, sexual orientation and identity, disability, religion or age.
  (Morrison,1993; ANZASW, 1998)