The Essence of Buddhism Part 3

May I never do, nor cause to be done, nor contemplate the doing of, even the most trivial sin!--Attanagalu-vansa (conclusion).

Let not one who is asked for his pardon withhold it.--Mahavagga.

'T is wrong to conquer him who sues for mercy.--Lalita Vistara.

Let none out of anger or resentment wish harm to another.--Metta-sutta.

Let us then live happily, not hating those who hate us. In the midst of those who hate us, let us dwell free from hatred.--Dhammapada.

For hatred does not cease by hatred at any time; hatred ceases by love; this is an old rule.--Dhammapada.

(To the) self-reliant there is strength and joy.--Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king.

Let him not grieve for that which is lost.--Attadanda-sutta.

Not from weeping or grieving will any obtain peace of mind.--Salla-sutta.

At first my sorrowing heart was heavy; but now my sorrow has brought forth only profit.--Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king.

Give to him that asketh, even though it be but a little.--Udanavarga.

He delights in giving so far as he is able.--Questions of King Milinda.

Your guileless heart loves to exercise its charity.--Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king.

Always intent on bringing about the good and the happiness of others.--Jatakamala.

Earnestly practice every good work.--Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king.

If they may cause by it the happiness of others, even pain is highly esteemed by the righteous, as if it were gain.--Jatakamala.

When pure rules of conduct are observed, then there is true religion.--Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king.

Wherein does religion consist?

In (committing) the least possible harm, in (doing) abundance of good, in (the practice of) pity, love, truth, and likewise purity of life.--Pillar Inscriptions of Asoka.

(Not superst.i.tious rites, but) kindness to slaves and servants, reverence towards venerable persons, self-control with respect to living creatures, ... these and similar (virtuous actions are the rites which ought indeed to be performed.)--Rock Inscriptions of Asoka.

The practice of religion involves as a first principle a loving, compa.s.sionate heart for all creatures.--Fo-pen-hing-tsih-king.

Shall we in wors.h.i.+pping slay that which hath life? This is like those who practice wisdom, and the way of religious abstraction, but neglect the rules of moral conduct.--Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king.

How can a system requiring the infliction of misery on other beings be called a religious system?... To seek a good by doing an evil is surely no safe plan.--Fo-pen-hing-tsih-king.

Unto the dumb lips of his flock he lent Sad pleading words, showing how man, who prays For mercy to the G.o.ds, is merciless.

--Sir Edwin Arnold.

I then will ask you, if a man, in wors.h.i.+pping ... sacrifices a sheep, and so does well, wherefore not his child, ... and so do better? Surely ...

there is no merit in killing a sheep!--Fo-pen-hing-tsih-king.

Nor [shall one] lay Upon the brow of innocent bound beasts One hair's weight of that answer all must give For all things done amiss or wrongfully.

--Sir Edwin Arnold.

Doing no injury to any one, Dwell in the world full of love and kindness.

--Questions of King Milinda.

Ministering to the worthy, doing harm to none, Always ready to render reverence to whom it is due.

Loving righteousness and righteous conversation, Ever willing to hear what may profit another.

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

Scrupulously avoiding all wicked actions; Reverently performing all virtuous ones; Purifying his intention from all selfish ends: This is the doctrine of all the Buddhas.

--Siau-chi-kwan.

Instruct yourself (more and more) in the highest morality.--Nagarjuna's "Friendly Epistle."

Cultivate compa.s.sion.--Visuddhi-Magga.

May my thoughts, now small and narrow, expand in the next existence, that I may understand the precepts ... thoroughly, and never break them or be guilty of trespa.s.ses.--Inscription in Temple of Nakhon Vat.

Religion he looks upon as his best ornament.--Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king.

The sinner is never beautiful.--Lalita Vistara.

Use no perfume but sweetness of thoughts.--Siamese Buddhist Maxim.

Wealth and beauty, scented flowers and ornaments like these, are not to be compared for grace with moral rect.i.tude!--Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king.

He who ... cannot feel joy to see merit in others is stained with the darkness of sin.--Story of Pratiharyya.

Ask not of (a person's) descent, but ask about his conduct--Sundarikabharadvaja-sutta.

The young man Vasettha said: "When one is virtuous and full of (good) works, in this way he becomes a Brahman."--Vasettha-sutta.

Not by birth does one become low caste, not by birth a Brahman; by his deeds he becomes low caste, by his deeds he becomes a Brahman.--Vasala-sutta.

Whosoever strikes, or by words annoys, mother or father, brother or sister, ... let us know such as a "base-born."--Vasala-sutta.

Causing destruction to living beings, killing and mutilating, ...

stealing and speaking falsely, fraud and deception, ... these are (what defile a man).--Amagandha-sutta.

Whosoever ... harms living beings, ... and in whom there is no compa.s.sion for them, let us know such as a "base-born."--Vasala-sutta.