CONFUCIUS was asked “is there one word that can serve as a principle of conduct for life? He replied “reciprocity - do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.”

This Golden Rule, also known as the Ethic of Reciprocity, appears in all faith and many other traditions. Groups present in the world today are too numerous to list here but chronologically from Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, through Christianity, Islam and Sikhism to the Baha’i Faith this rule is always there. In addition, most of those who do not adhere to an organised religious group also abide by this basic rule.

This column has now been extended to include contributions from other faith groups. The interfaith network is represented locally by the South Lakeland Interfaith Forum (SLIF). Our aim is to build good relations between people of different faiths and beliefs, promoting mutual respect and understanding.

As part of SLIF I have met many gentle, warm, interesting, considerate people who I would not otherwise have met. I have come across many prayers and scriptures, including this prayer written for global peace, it begins:

“We celebrate the time of world peace as each person surrenders to their higher selves and gains a new inner peace and serenity, leaves behind the residual conditioning and emotions of the past and cultivates a new level of understanding, forgiveness and compassion, enabling the world's population to live together in acceptance of each person's individuality, diversity and beliefs.”

I hope this is a prayer that we can all pray.

Liz Grove, South Lakeland Interfaith Forum