If you click on this link, you can download a copy of our principles, two versions of Imaoka-sensei’s principles, and also a set of principles by the Czech Unitarian, Norbert Fabián Čapek.
During the COVID-19 pandemic and ever since we have been exploring together the implications of the life and thought of the Japanese Yuniterian (sic), educator, interfaith pioneer and advocate of a dynamic, creative, inquiring, free and liberative form of religion or spirituality, Imaoka Shin’ichrō (1881-1988). During this process, we became very impressed with his various articulations of what he called his Principles of Living — if you click on this link, you can download a copy of our principles, two versions of Imaoka-sensei’s principles, and also a set of principles by the Czech Unitarian, Norbert Fabián Čapek. Although it would have been possible for us simply to adopt one of these, we felt it was much more important to engage in a process to articulate our own set of Principles of Living. Consequently, we have together slowly written the following seven statements which we feel says something true about what it is we are trying to achieve in the Cambridge Unitarian community. As is indicated by the inclusion of the calligraphy at the top of this page, for us as for Imaoka-sensei, it’s important to realise that these statements must be understood as being tentative and provisional, and we remain free to change and modify them as we grow and learn together in the university of life:
Within this creative, inquiring, free and liberative religious gathering, we seek to:
Nurture ourselves — desiring to grow into the most creative, sociable, compassionate and autonomous individuals we can be.
Support our neighbours — and, in so doing, remember that each individual we meet deserves the same love and respect as we do ourselves.
Build a co-operative society — because all lives are intertwined, none of us exists in isolation. A co-operative society, in which we find solidarity, fellowship and community, lights the way for us all.
Find strength in community — our local gathering can be a microcosm of the co-operative society we seek to build. Here, we support one another in our journeys, sharing our joys and sorrows as we work together towards a better world.
Draw on insights from all creative, inquiring, free and liberative religions and philosophies — seeking to understand their essence and ideals, and finding ways to apply these to the modern world in which we live.
Care for the world around us — celebrating being part of nature, cherishing the beauty we witness, and seeking to repair damage and tread as lightly as we can.
Affirm that there is no fundamental distinction between the sacred and the secular — and that all human activities — politics, economy, education, art, labour and even domestic affairs — can also be expressions of free religion.
NB At the very top of every page on this website, following the words “Cambridge Unitarians”, the two characters 帰一 mean “returning-to-one” and they are sometimes also translated as “Unitarian.” Together they are pronounced: “kiitsu.”
We also value highly the Czech Unitarian, Norbert Fabián Čapek’s Ten Principles of Living (Ten Advices)
1) Live simply. Live in such a way that you have few needs. Don’t worry unnecessarily, especially don’t let other people’s worries trouble you. Be content with what you have.
2) Don’t cling to material things. Remember that material things are fleeting. Be interested in deeper things; you will gain more. Keep your inner freedom.
3) Live through beauty. Don’t forget beautiful, joyful moments, but do forget sad, unpleasant ones. Rid yourself of anger, resentment, hatred, and forgive those who hurt you. Be grateful for the good, and don’t forget it.
4) Live through the present. True life is what you are experiencing right now. Don’t fear the future – trust in it. Don’t think about old age, and don’t dwell too much on the past.
5) Be creative. Don’t be idle and always keep yourself occupied with something. Stay curious; always learn and educate yourself.
6) Seek beauty. Take joy in beautiful things, nature, music, literature, and other arts. Beauty is nourishment for the soul.
7) Rejoice. Keep yourself in good spirits. Cultivate humour, and remember that a cheerful mind is half of both health and beauty.
8) Be loving towards people. Show kindness to others, and they’ll show it to you. Help others! Think more about making others happy than about your own troubles. If you can’t say something good about others, it’s better to remain silent.
9) Be modest. Maintain moderation and restraint in all things.
10) Have faith. Take care of your faith in God – the Supreme Wisdom (Nejvyšší Moudrost [f.]). Be aware of her presence within yourself and in everything.