Speech of Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno

Delivered during the Indo-Pacific Conference of the Theosophical Society
Nov. 5, 2007 at Quezon City, Philippines

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Distinguished officers and members of the Theosophical Society,
Fellow seekers of Truth
Ladies and gentlemen:

I am greatly honored and privileged to give a message at this Indo-Pacific Triennial Conference of the Theosophical Society. I congratulate the Theosophical Society of the Philippines for sponsoring this momentous event in the promotion of universal brotherhood.

From my readings, I understand that the Theosophical Society is one of the pioneer organizations that advocate universal brotherhood of humanity without distinction of race, creed, sex, caste or color as a basic objective. The Society had its beginnings a century before the United Nations was founded on the same basic principle. We understand that theosophy or “divine wisdom” is a restatement, for the benefit of humankind, of the ancient teachings that have appeared throughout the centuries at different times and places.

We read from recorded history that the founders of the great religions advocated love of others as a prerequisite to a higher life. It cannot be denied that the teachings of these religious leaders have been one of the motivating factors in the maintenance of peace and brotherhood in the world through the centuries.

We also note that during the past centuries, certain misguided followers of the great religions, moved by the fanaticism and ignorance, have brought untold havoc to the world. Through religious wars or brutalities, they have bannered the destruction of life and civilization in the name of the Supreme Being or of what they believe is the Divine Will. The search for truth has been, indeed, frustrating to those who claim to possess a monopoly of truth. The bloodshed that often rocks the peace and tranquility of nations is sometimes difficult to comprehend. If the message of the great religious leaders has been properly understood, would wars, genocide and terrorism persist? The question answers itself.

The assembly of the members of the Theosophical Society in the Indo-Pacific Region is a timely endeavor to bring peace and understanding in this part of the world. Your theme “Live to Benefit Humanity” is relevant to the international effort to root out the problems facing modern society. All of us as particles of humanity can exert the necessary moral force to alleviate the sufferings of the downtrodden, the victims of religious prejudices, and forgotten sectors of society. If there were a thousand Mother Theresas, the world would be a much better place to live in. By explaining to non-believers that every happening on earth has a purpose, we can help make sufferings more bearable and poverty and misfortune easier for them to understand.

In the Philippines, our government has enacted laws to give greater protection to those whose hands are stretched palms up, as well as those whose arms are raised with fists clenched. To cite a few examples, we have

(1) Republic Act No. No. 9262, which provides remedies to women and children who are victims or are in danger of violence or criminal neglect.

(2) Republic Act No. 9208, which provides for the elimination of the human trafficking and provides heavy penalties for its violation. Prostitution and slavery are some of the evi1s resulting from human trafficking.

(3) Republic Act No. 9344 which provides for the elimination of the worst forms of child labor and affords stronger protection for the working child. Children, being the future hope of our society as emphasized by our national hero Dr. Jose Rizal, ought to receive ample protection during their formative years.

We have also promulgated the rule on the writ of amparo. Amparo is a Spanish word meaning “to protect.” The writ, which developed in Latin American countries, is a legal weapon that can be used by victims of extrajudicial killings and involuntary disappearances, especially against public authorities. It took effect on October 24, UN Day and now provides the brightest hope for the protection of the constitutional right to life and the right to liberty of our fellow Filipinos. At this point, I wish to acknowledge the help of Justice Flerida Ruth Romero, one of your distinguished members, in giving shape to this groundbreaking writ of amparo.

In the Philippine judiciary; we have adopted stringent measures to eliminate all vestiges of irregularities in the administration of justice. Workers in the judiciary who have been proven to be unworthy of the trust reposed in them have been discharged from the service and penalized for their misconduct. On the other hand, to those who have exemplary dedication to duty, we have given appropriate awards for judicial excellence.

Allow me to relate some stories of great persons who lived lives to benefit others, who spread benevolence to humanity.

Tolstoy, the great Russian writer, was passing along a street one day when a beggar stopped him and pleaded for alms. The great Russian searched through his pockets for a coin but finding none, he regretfully said, “Please don’t be angry with me, my brother, but I have nothing with me. If I did, I would gladly give it to you.

The beggar’s face flamed up and he said,” You have given me more than I asked for. You called me brother.” (Theosophical Digest, 1998 issue)

Although money is important in helping others, it is kindness to our fellow beings that help bring peace and harmony to society. We realize that it is impossible to make everyone’s barn overflow, but whispers of concern and touches of care from those who are more fortunate -- materially, socially or spiritually -- could alleviate the sufferings of the human doormats of our society. May I also recite an anecdote about Francis Assisi.

Francis of Assisi was terrified of leprosy. And one day, full in the narrow path that he was traveling, he saw, horribly while in the sunshine, a leper! Instinctively his heart shrunk back, recoiling shudderingly from the contamination of that loathsome disease. But then he rallied; and ashamed of himself, ran and cast his arms about the sufferer’s neck and kissed him and passed on. A moment later he looked back and there was no one there, only the empty road in the hot sunlight. All his days thereafter, he was sure it was no leper but Christ Himself whom he met. (G.K. Chesterton, Theosophical Digest, 4th Quarter, 1998, p. 57)

We know that Francis of Assisi dedicated his whole life to the poor, and that he founded the Franciscan Order whose members professed the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.
These holy men were exemplars who gave flesh and blood to the virtue of love. Dr. John Stolt, in his book entitled Issues Facing Christians Today, relates the story of a homeless woman who sought the help of a country vicar and left with nothing in her hands. She sent the following:
poem to him:

I was hungry
and you formed a humanities group to discuss my hunger,
I was imprisoned
and you crept off quietly to your chapel and prayed for my release
I was naked
and in your mind you debated the morality of my appearance
I was sick
and you knelt and thanked God for your health
I was homeless
and you preached to me of the spiritual shelter of the love of God
I was lonely
and you left me alone to pray for myself
You seem so holy, so close to God, but I am still very hungry
            -- and alone and cold.

The Dalai Lama, in his article “Universal Compassion and Global Crisis,” said:

"The main problems which mankind is facing today are basically created by ourselves - created by the divisions we make based on the secondary factors of ideology, nationalism, economic systems, racial differences and so on. These issues are hard to reconcile if we think of them as having primary importance. Therefore, I believe that the time has come when we should think on a deeper level – the level of actual human being -- and try to act from that level of appreciation and respect for all human beings. We must build a closer relationship among ourselves based on mutual trust, mutual understanding, mutual respect, mutual help, irrespective of culture, philosophy, religion or faith.
After all, human beings are all fundamentally the same. We are made of human flesh, human bones and human blood. What is more, our internal feelings are the same. We all want to avoid suffering and achieve happiness. And we all have equal right to be happy. In other words, we belong to one big human family which includes all mankind of this planet." (Theosophical Digest, 1990, pp. 78-79).

Let me conclude with the statement that an overview of humanity -- from its early beginnings on this planet to this age of nuclear, electronic and computer technology -- will show that the search for truth has driven human beings to extremes. Peace and tranquility have been achieved after major wars, but this peace based on a balance of terror. In ancient times, religious beliefs have been spread through the sword, and people were kept in the dark in dungeons of dogmatism and ignorance.
In modern times, we still see a proliferation of religious or philosophical groups, which -- by means fair and foul - are all trying to outdo one another in the propagation of what they believe is the ultimate truth about the mystery of life. The diverse efforts resorted to by different groups in spreading their principles or philosophies can be consolidated into one strong force to unite us all into the common goal of universal brotherhood, the basic bjective of the Theosophical Society.

I close by urging more of these conferences, conferences that elevate selflessness and sink selfishness, that seek the unity of all human beings, that drive away disharmony, that promote the search for troth without bigotry that proclaim that all of us are brothers and sisters under the fatherhood of one Supreme Being.

Thank you.