Since We crossed the Mareb, We have been greatly pleased by the welcome given Us by all the Eritrean people, Christians and Moslems. And now Our pleasure is greatly increased as We note the hearty welcome that you accorded Us when We appeared at this place. The fact is well known that Christians and Moslems can live together happily. As you all know, in Ethiopia Moslems and Christians and different other religious believers live as brothers, without distinction.
When man was created, he was one in flesh, blood and soul, and these three can serve as an excellent example to him. When a man serves his country with his mind and body, he may also use religion to serve God spiritually. Thus, there is no conflict between serving one’s country materially and serving God spiritually. Both Christians and Moslems believe alike in God, spiritually, and as God is always with those who believe in Him, there is harmony in man who is one in flesh, blood and soul.
Therefore, Ethiopians are all one, and they do not differ one from the other. We are all one in Our belief in God. As We revere Him and believe in Him so do you. Christianity and Islam are not the only religions in the world; there are many different religions. However, among believers, there are no differences when they serve their country, and We respect everybody’s religion without partiality.
Did We not respect the Moslem, We would not have come to this place to visit this mosque. As prayers are said in churches, the same is done in mosques. The house of God is open and welcomes those who come with charity. Following this principle, since as Moslems and Christians all are loyal to Ethiopia, what has just been said is not new. It is well known that during the invasion of Ethiopia by the enemy, there were many Moslems and Christians who defended their country, and We rewarded them, not the Moslems or Christians only, but both.
Hence, if anybody says that differences exist between Moslems and Christians, that person is an enemy of Ethiopia. We would not have come to your mosque if such were the case. We thank you for your exuberant ovation and for the hearty welcome of all the Eritrean people. May God protect both Ethiopia and Eritrea!
October, 8 1952
Source: Eritrea hails her Sovereign; Ethiopian Press and Information Department
![Jamaican Rastas Living Sattvic Lifestyle
SATTVA (from wikipedia)In Vedic philosophy, sattva (Sanskrit sattva / सत्त्व “purity”, literally “existence, reality”; adjectival sāttvika ”pure”, anglicised sattvic) is the most rarefied of the three gunas in Samkhya, sāttvika ”pure”, rājasika ”dim”, and tāmasika ”dark”. Importantly, no value judgement is entailed as all guna are indivisible and mutually qualifying. The Viṣṇu or the Deity of the quality of goodness in the material world is the puruṣa-avatāra known as Kṣīrodakaśāyī Viṣṇu or Paramātmā.[1]
Sattvic objects
For an object or food to be sāttvika, it must be uncontaminated and should not spread evil or disease in the world. On the contrary its presence must purify the surroundings. Thus when an individual consumes such a food, he must feel that he is eating pure food. The food should be healthy, nutritious and clean. It should also not weaken the power or equilibrium of mind. This idea disallows aphrodisiacor other drugs and intoxicants that can affect the mind in such a way. It also disallows food or objects obtained after killing or causing pain to a creature. This is because the object would then have source in an evil act. It also excludes stale and pungent-smelling food.
Some objects that are considered sāttvika are:
Flowers, fruits, and food that are allowed as offerings to God
Neem tree
The milk of a cow which has grown in good surroundings, is healthy and has been obtained after the calf of the cow has been fed well. In cases when the cow has been ill treated, it becomes sinful or evil to drink such milk (Note that the cow is sacred in Hinduism_
Nature has always had a connotation with being sattvika. Because of this, Hindu philosophy does not encourage the eating of animals, or the destruction of nature and its habitats.
Sattva is a state of mind in which the mind is steady, calm and peaceful. A sattvika man or woman works with no attachment to the result.
Sattvic creatures
A person or creature can be called sāttvika if the creature has predominantly sāttvika tendencies. The name “sathvik” implies one who is divine, pure, and spiritual.
Sāttvika individuals always work for the welfare of the world. They are hardworking, alert, generous. They live life moderately, and have good memory and concentration. Sattvic qualities include leading a chaste life, eating moderately, using precise language and speaking truths palatably. A sattvic individual speaks compliments and avoids vulgar or insulting language, is never jealous, and is unaffected by greed and selfishness. Such an individual is confident and experiences abundance. It is not in the nature of a sattvic individual to cheat or mislead others. A sattvic person will show what is and describe destinations, but then allow others to choose for themselves. A sattvic person does not allow evil tendencies to enter his or her mind but supports an inner paradise that broadcasts out to the world; he or she will have keen interest in improving spiritual knowledge and will spend time worshiping divinity or meditating and, in an extreme state, may even perform penance or uninterrupted meditation. A sattvic individual can be recognized if their mind, speech and actions synchronize: manasa, vacha, karmana are the three Sanskrit words used to describe such a state.
Some of the people considered by Hindus to be sāttvika are:
Holy men and bhaktas like Tulsidas, Tyagaraja, Dnyaneshwar, Tukaram
Ancient rishis like Vashishta, Kashyapa
Modern day sages like Ramana Maharshi, Aurobindo, Vivekananda
Divine beings in the heavens
Some flora and fauna like lotus (symbolizes purity), cow (symbolizes the earth mother)](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m7qvxiOd071rxyxoro1_500.jpg)
