It is wonderful, Lord! It is wonderful, Lord! It is as if, Lord, one
might set upright that which had been upturned, or might reveal what was hidden, or might point out the path to one who had gone astray, or might bring an oil lamp into the darkness so that those with eyes might see material shapes.
Buddhism. Udana 49
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Judaism and Christianity. Bible, Psalm 119.105
Him the sun does not illumine, nor the moon, nor the stars, nor the lightning--nor, verily, fires kindled upon the earth. He is the one light that gives light to all. He shines; everything shines.
Hinduism. Katha Upanishad 5.15; Mundaka Upanishad 2.2.10;
Svetavatara Upanishad 6.14
Jesus spoke to them, saying "I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
Christianity. Bible, John 8.12
I am blind and do not see the things of this world; but when the light comes from above, it enlightens my heart and I can see, for the Eye of my heart sees everything; and through this vision I can help my people. The heart is a sanctuary at the center of which there is a little space, wherein the Great Spirit dwells, and this is the Eye. This is the Eye of the Great Spirit by which He sees all things, and through which we see Him. If the heart is not pure, the Great Spirit cannot be seen.
Native American Religions. Black Elk, Sioux Tradition
To know the eternal is called enlightenment Not to know the eternal is to act blindly, to result in disaster. He who knows the eternal is all-embracing. Being all-embracing, he is impartial.
Being impartial, he is kingly [universal]. Being kingly, he is one with Nature. Being one with nature, he is in accord with Tao.
Being in accord with Tao, he is everlasting, And is free from danger throughout his lifetime.
Taoism. Tao Te Ching 16
Those who believe will stand alongside [the Prophet], their light
streaming on ahead of them and to their right. They will say, "Our Lord, perfect our light for us, and forgive us!"
Islam. Qur'an 66.8
The holy Preceptor by the Word lighted a lamp; Thereby was shattered darkness of the temple of the self, And the unique chamber of jewels thrown open. Wonderstruck were we in extreme on beholding it-- Its greatness beyond expression.
Sikhism. Adi Granth, Bilaval, M.5, p. 821
Perfect knowledge is attained on the destruction of deluding karmas, of karmas which obscure knowledge and perception, and of karmas which obstruct [faith]. With the absence of the cause of bondage, the annihilation of all karmas is liberation.
Jainism. Tattvarthasutra 10.
