The Essence of Buddhism Part 6

He whose mind is subdued and perfectly controlled is happy.--Udanavarga.

If only the thoughts be directed to that which is right, then happiness must necessarily follow.--Fa-kheu-pi-u.

Evil he overcame by righteousness.--Questions of King Milinda.

He felt compa.s.sion towards those who tormented him.--Attanagalu-vansa.

The bearer of ill-will towards them that bear ill-will can never become pure; but he who bears no ill-will pacifies them that hate.--Udanavarga.

The man who foolishly does me wrong, I will return him the protection of my ungrudging love.--Sutra of Forty-two Sections.

Whether of the higher cla.s.s of beings, as ... a perfect man, ... or of the lower cla.s.s of beings, as a gra.s.shopper or the smallest insect--in one word, whatever hath life thou shalt not kill.--Sha-mi-lu-i-yao-lio.

To whom even the life of a serpent is sacred.--Lalita Vistara.

I love living things that have no feet, ... four-footed creatures, and things with many feet.... May all creatures, all things that live, all beings of whatever kind, may they all behold good fortune.--Cullavagga.

You do not well enticing me to a sinful act. And what you say, that "n.o.body else will know of it"--will it be less sinful for this reason?--Jatakamala.

There is no such thing as secrecy in wrongdoing.--Jataka.

Even could she have kept it secret from men, ... could she have kept it secret from spirit, ... could she have kept it secret from the G.o.ds, yet she could not have escaped herself from the knowledge of her sin.--Questions of King Milinda.

Clad in garments pure as the moonbeams, ... her ornaments modesty and virtuous conduct.--Ajanta Cave Inscriptions.

If you speak ... to a woman, do it with pureness of heart.... Say to yourself: "Placed in this sinful world, let me be as the spotless lily, unsoiled by the mire in which it grows." Is she old? regard her as your mother. Is she honorable? as your sister. Is She of small account? as a younger sister. Is she a child? then treat her with reverence and politeness.--Sutra of Forty-two Sections.

Gentle and true, simple and kind was she, n.o.ble of mien, with gracious speech to all, And gladsome looks--a pearl of womanhood.

--Sir Edwin Arnold.

Do not have evil-doers for friends.... Take as your friends the best of men.--Dhammapada.

Briefly I will tell you the marks of a friend-- When doing wrong, to warn; when doing well, to exhort to perseverance; When in difficulty or danger, to a.s.sist, relieve, and deliver.

Such a man is indeed a true and ill.u.s.trious friend.

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

His friends.h.i.+p is prized by the gentle and the good.--Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king.

Living ... without cruelty among the cruel.--Udanavarga.

The Scripture said: "Be kind and benevolent to every being, and spread peace in the world.... If it happen that thou see anything to be killed, thy soul shall be moved with pity and compa.s.sion. Ah, how watchful should we be over ourselves!"--Sha-mi-lu-i-yao-lio.

I desire to produce in myself a loving heart towards all living creatures.--Fo-pen-hing-tsih-king.

Let us then practice good works, and inspect our thoughts that we do no evil.--Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king.

Now, therefore, it behooves me to examine into my faults; and if I find anything wrong in me, to put it away, and practice virtue only.--Jataka.

Therefore ... we would humble ourselves and repent us of our sins. Oh!

that we may have strength to do so aright!--Liturgy of Kwan-yin.

If we know that we have done wrong, and yet refuse to acknowledge it, we are guilty of prevarication.--Chinese Pratimoksha.

From the very first, ... having no wish to benefit others, or to do good in the least degree, we have been adding sin unto sin; and even though our actual crimes have not been so great, yet a wicked heart has ruled us within. Day and night, without interval or hesitation, have we continually contrived how to do wrong.--Liturgy of Kwan-yin.

Accept the confession I make of my sin in its sinfulness, to the end that in future I may restrain myself therefrom.--Cullavagga.

He who offends an offenseless man, ... against such a fool the evil reverts, like fine dust thrown against the wind.--Kokaliya-sutta.

May wisdom be with me always.--Inscription in Temple of Nakhon Vat.

The fool who knows his foolishness is wise at any rate so far. But the fool who thinks himself wise, he is a fool indeed.--Dhammapada.

He who holds back rising anger like a rolling chariot--him I call a real driver: other people are merely holding the reins.--Dhammapada.

Anger, alas! how it changes the comely face! how it destroys the loveliness of beauty!--Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king.

The fool who is angered, and thinks to triumph by the use of abusive language, is always vanquished by him whose words are patient.--Udanavarga.

He who lives far from me yet walks righteously, is ever near me.--Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king.

He sought after the good of those dependent on him.--Questions of King Milinda.

Who, though he be lord over others, is patient with those that are weak.--Udanavarga.

Loving her maids and dependents even as herself.--Lalita Vistara.

Loving all things which live even as themselves.--Sir Edwin Arnold.

Hear ye all this moral maxim, and having heard it keep it well: Whatsoever is displeasing to yourselves never do to another.--Bstanhgyur.

Then declared he unto them (the rule of doing to others what we ourselves like).--San-kiao-yuen-lieu.

From henceforth ... put away evil and do good.--Jataka.

At morning, noon, and night successively, store up good works.--Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king.

Always doing good to those around you.--Fo-pen-hing-tsih-king.

In order to terminate all suffering, be earnest in performing good deeds.--Buddhaghosa's parables.

Compa.s.sion alone sanctifies the good.--Kshemendra's Avadana Kalpalata.

Religion means self-sacrifice.--Rukemavati.

O Buddha, the wors.h.i.+p of thee consists in doing good to the world.--Bhakti Sataka.