Obedience and Charity: Still the Same
Obedience and charity were values among cultures that were treated with a great deal or respect. These cultural values depicted the being of a person. If someone obeyed a rule or aspect of culture, they were considered respectful or obedient. If someone completed charity, they were considered generous, helping and sympathetic. These values are not of no importance, they are to be taken with great respect. Obedience and charity can be showed throughout various types of literature and cultures. “Book of Ruth” from the ancient Hebrews and “Sibi” from the Mahabharata shows obedience. “Daylight” from the Qur’an and “Publishing the Sutras” form the Zen Parables shows charity.
One example of obedience is in the “Book of Ruth from the ancient Hebrew culture. Naomi guides Ruth with the instructions, “When he lies down, note the place where he lie down, and go over and uncover his feet and lie down. He will tell you what you are to do/she replied, ‘I will do everything you tell me.’” Because of Ruth’s obedience, she is rewarded with marriage and historical importance. Her importance will later be significantly important to the line of a great religious figure, David.
Another example of obedience in literature is in “Sibi” from the Mahabharata from the ancient Indian culture. King Sibi showed obedience when he says, “This bird has come to me for asylum, it is my duty to protect it.”(194) By not apprehending to the hawk’s request, the king obeyed the rule of being a king and protected the dove, of which is under his rule. When a royal subject becomes the official king, he is responsible for every aspect of life under his command.
One example of charity in literature is in the Qur’an from the surah, Daylight, presented by the Ancient Sumerian culture. Rhetorical questions such as, “Did he not find you an orphan and give you shelter? “Did he not find you in error and guide you? Did he not find you poor and enrich you?”(80), are referring to the charity Allah has to present to Muhammad. He gave Muhammad a place to live and enriched his earnings.
When he was an orphan and poor. Speaking to Mecca, the narrator says “Have he not lifted up your heart and relieved you of the ben which weighed down your back.” (80) He gave the people of Mecca fame. Allah promised comfort to his people and Muhammad. Speaking to Mecca the narrator says, “With every worship there is ease. With every hardship there is ease,” (80), explains that Allah will help their city in time of hardship.
Another example of charity in literature is in