The Essence of Buddhism Part 2

The member of Buddha's order ... should not intentionally destroy the life of any being, down even to a worm or an ant.--Mahavagga.

Whether now any man kill with his own hand, or command any other to kill, or whether he only see with pleasure the act of killing--all is equally forbidden by this law.--Sha-mi-lu-i-yao-lio.

My teaching is this, that the slightest act of charity, even in the lowest cla.s.s of persons, such as saving the life of an insect out of pity, that this act ... shall bring to the doer of it consequent benefit.--T'sa-ho-hom-king.

He came to remove the sorrows of all living things.--Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king.

"Now (said he) I will see a n.o.ble law, unlike the worldly methods known to men, ... and will fight against the chief wrought upon man by sickness, age, and death."--Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king.

To a righteous man death must bring gladness. For no fear of mishap exists for him who is devoted to a holy life.--Jatakamala.

He lives only to be a help to others.--Questions of King Milinda.

Why should we cling to this perishable body? In the eye of the wise, the only thing it is good for is to benefit one's fellow-creatures.--Katha Sarit Sagara.

Is not all I possess, even to my very body, kept for the benefit of others?--Nagananda.

All men should cultivate a fixed and firm determination, and vow that what they once undertake they will never give up.--Fo-pen-hing-tsih-king.

Rather will I fall headlong into h.e.l.l ... than do a deed that is unworthy.--Jataka.

May my body be ground to powder small as the mustard-seed if I ever desire to (break my vow)!--Fo-pen-hing-tsih-king.

Happy is he that is virtuous--Dhammapada.

To make an end of selfishness is happiness.--Udanavarga.

There is no happiness except in righteousness.--Attanagalu-vansa.

Full of love for all things in the world, practicing virtue in order to benefit others--this man only is happy.--Fa-kheu-pi-u.

He that loveth iniquity beckoneth to misfortune.--Jitsu-go-kiyo.

Watch your thoughts.--Dhammapada.

Control your tongue.--Dhammapada.

Have a strict control over your pa.s.sions.--Story of Sundari and Nanda.

The higher life maketh he known, in all its purity and in all its perfectness.--Tevijja-sutta.

So imbued were they with lovingkindness that all the birds and animals loved them and harmed them not.--Sama Jataka (Burmese version).

Compa.s.sionate and kind to all creatures that have life.--Brahma-jala-sutta.

The birds and beasts and creeping things--'tis writ-- Had sense of Buddha's vast embracing love, And took the promise of his piteous speech.

--Sir Edwin Arnold.

He cherished the feeling of affection for all beings as if they were his only son.--Lalita Vistara.

Closely as cause and effect are bound together, So do two loving hearts entwine and live-- Such is the power of love to join in one.

--Fo-pen-hing-tsih-king.

That thou mayst know-- What others will not--that I love thee most Because I loved so well all living souls.

--Sir Edwin Arnold.

Always give in charity to people of good conduct.--Jatakamala.

With every desire to do good, the ignorant and foolish only succeed in doing harm.... 'Tis knowledge crowns endeavor with success.--Jataka.

There is no sweet companion like pure charity.--Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king.

Almsgiving, it is said, const.i.tutes the value of riches.--Jatakamala.

Good is restraint in all things.--Dhammapada.

Unselfishness, true, and self-control.--Jataka.

The religious mendicant, wisely reflecting, is patient under cold and heat, under hunger and thirst, ... under bodily sufferings, under pains however sharp.--Sabbasava-sutta.

Though a man conquer a thousand thousand men in battle, a greater conqueror still is he who conquers himself.--Udanavarga.

Root out the love of self.--Jataka.

The man of honor should minister to his friends ... by liberality, courtesy, benevolence, and by doing to them as he would be done by.--Sigalovada-sutta.

Practice the art of "giving up."--Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king.

Speak not harshly to anybody.--Dhammapada.

May I speak kindly and softly to every one I chance to meet.--Inscription in Temple of Nakhon Vat.

Offensive language is harsh even to the brutes.--Suttavaddhananiti.

Courtesy is the best ornament. Beauty without courtesy is like a grove without flowers.--Buddha-charita.

He knew not the art of hypocrisy.--Jatakamala.

Let a man say that which is right, not that which is unrighteous, ...

that which is pleasing, not that which is unpleasing, ... that which is true, not that which is false.--Subhasita-sutta.

As he who loves life avoids poison, so let the sage avoid sinfulness.--Udanavarga.

He sees danger in even the least of those things he should avoid.--Tevijja-sutta.

Sin easily develops.--Rock Inscriptions of Asoka.