Examples: Codes for Living

TOP Note: The examples below are meant to be illustrative only.

Religious Laws

When we examine the most popular codes, it is evident that they are focused on community survival and preoccupied with individual behaviour in a group setting.

Example 1: The 5 Precepts of Taoism

  • No Murdering
  • No Stealing
  • No Sexual Misconduct
  • No False Speech
  • No Taking of Intoxicants

So simple and seemingly so little to ask. Yet what a transformation there would be in society if most people adhered to these.

The 10 Commandments

ClosedSee an abbreviated version:

No.s 1-3 impress the importance of an awareness of God. However, given that this is a private matter, it also gives authority to religious leaders who claim to speak on behalf of God.

No. 4 is an injunction to work, and to take regular rest-breaks. This structures time socially, and is essential for a long working life.

No.s 5 & 7 are injunctions to support the family as an institution. Well-functioning families are the foundation of any community and social order.

No.s 6, 8, 9 & 10 are essentials for social order. Stealing (originally this meant kidnapping) attacks the concept of private property which is vital for sustained motivated work. Free reign for murderers is not conducive to stability or productivity because energy has to go into running away or other forms of security. Coveting is a precursor of, and bearing false witness is a method for, stealing or murdering.

In all, while these commandments certainly address evils, they seem to be primarily about providing sufficient order and good sense to ensure survival of a small community.

Ideological Products

It is difficult to generalize about such sprawling, diverse multi-headed entities as religions, but some appear to take a core identity primarily from one of the Primal Quests. Here are some suggestions:

Taoism is mysterious and focuses on Spirituality i.e. RH'L7.

Islam is controlling and focuses on Obedience i.e. RH'L6.

Christianity is sin-preoccupied and focuses on Salvation i.e. RH'L4.

Buddhism is atheistic and focuses on Enlightenment i.e. RH'L3.

Judaism is practical and focuses on Meaning i.e. RH'L2.

None focus on Pleasure-RH'L1, although there are philosophical efforts like Epicureanism that offer a primary focus on pleasure in a refined way.

Is any faith paradigm built around Creativity i.e. RH'L5?

Spiritual Products

When you delve deeper into sacred writings and comments on living by spiritual leaders, you find spiritual advice. These are remarkably similar across religions and function perfectly well without any theological superstructure or cosmological stories.

  • Jesus identified two commandments (in Mathew 22:36-40) to love God and love one another—which summarized all the Law and the Prophets! This form of commandment cannot be judged in courts of law or ensured via indoctrination: so they share the nature of the Primal Injunctions.
    ClosedExample: 
  • The Talmud contains much wisdom developed by the great Jewish Rabbis. They had a wonderfully pithy and often amusing way of getting the point across.
    ClosedExample: 

Personal Codes

As some further confirmation that there is a human need for a better Self, there is a variety of invented personal codes that share the spirit of the Primal Injunctions. Different spiritual masters often create their own set but, in principle, anyone can do it.

Chuck Norris was a karate world champion. Norris created the martial art Chun Kuk Do, which is based primarily on Tang Soo Do and includes elements from other combat styles. Like many other martial arts, Chun Kuk Do includes a code of honour and rules to live by. These rules come from Chuck Norris's personal code:

  • I will develop myself to the maximum of my potential in all ways.
  • I will forget the mistakes of the past and press on to greater achievements.
  • I will continually work at developing love, happiness and loyalty in my family.
  • I will look for the good in all people and make them feel worthwhile.
  • If I have nothing good to say about a person, I will say nothing.
  • I will always be as enthusiastic about the success of others as I am about my own.
  • I will maintain an attitude of open-mindedness.
  • I will maintain respect for those in authority and demonstrate this respect at all times.
  • I will always remain loyal to my God, my country, my family and my friends.
  • I will remain highly goal-oriented throughout my life because that positive attitude helps my family, my country and myself.

Originally posted: 10-Jan-2013. Last updated: 15-Jan-2013