The Essence of Buddhism Part 7

Persist not in calling attention to a matter calculated to cause division.--Patimokkha.

Dwell together in mutual love.--Brahmanadhammika-sutta.

Let us now unite in the practice of what is good, cherishing a gentle and sympathizing heart, and carefully cultivating good faith and righteousness.--Travels of Fa-hien.

May I obtain wealth, and ... may the wealth ... obtained by me be for the benefit of others.--Jinalankara.

Feeling deep compa.s.sion for the poor, grudging nothing which he possessed.--Phu-yau-king.

Humble in mind, but large in gracious deeds, abundant in charity to the poor and helpless.--Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king.

Full of modesty and pity, ... kind and compa.s.sionate to all creatures that have life.--Tevijja-sutta.

He who ... is tender to all that lives ... is protected by heaven and loved by men.--Fa-kheu-pi-u.

Day and night the mind of Buddha's disciples always delights in compa.s.sion.--Dhammapada.

Let him not think detractingly of others.--Sariputta-sutta.

But offer loving thoughts and acts to all.--Sir Edwin Arnold.

Never should he speak a disparaging word of anybody.--Saddharma-pundarika.

Whatever I understand (to be right) ... I desire to practice.--Rock Inscriptions of Asoka.

Lightly to laugh at and ridicule another is wrong.--Fa-kheu-pi-us.

Virtuous deeds should be practiced today; for who can say but we may die tomorrow?--Temee Jatu.

May I be thoroughly imbued with benevolence, and show always a charitable disposition, till such time as this heart shall cease to beat.--Inscription in Temple of Nakhon Vat.

Born to give joy and bring peace to the world.--Fo-pen-hing-tsih-king.

The whole world of sentient creatures enjoyed ... universal tranquility.--Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king.

Enmity and envy gave way to peace; contentment and rest prevailed everywhere; ... discord and variance were entirely appeased.--Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king.

Creatures of every variety were moved one toward another lovingly; fear and terror altogether put away, none entertained a hateful thought; the Angels, foregoing their heavenly joys, sought rather to alleviate the sinner's sufferings.--Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king.

The virtuous retain in their mind the good done to them, whereas the evil they experience drops from their mind, like water from a lotus-petal.--Jatakamala.

Vice, O king, is a mean thing, virtue is great and grand.--Questions of King Milinda.

I deem ... unrighteous actions contemptible.--Mahavagga.

Like food besmeared with poison, I abhor such happiness as is tainted with unrighteousness.--Jatakamala.

As men sow, thus shall they reap.--Ta-chw.a.n.g-yan-king-lun.

Actions have their reward, and our deeds have their result.--Mahavagga.

Our deeds are not lost, they will surely come (back again).--Kokaliya-sutta.

Reaping the fruit of right or evil doing, and sharing happiness or misery in consequence.--Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king.

Your evil thoughts and evil words but hurt yourself.--Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king.

h.e.l.l was not created by any one.... The fire of the angry mind produces the fire of h.e.l.l, and consumes its possessor. When a person does evil, he lights the fire of h.e.l.l, and burns with his own fire.--Mulamuli.

People grieve from selfishness.--Jara-sutta.

Doing good we reap good, just as a man who sows that which is sweet (enjoys the same).--Fa-kheu-pi-us.

He who does wrong, O king, comes to feel remorse.... But he who does well feels no remorse, and feeling no remorse, gladness will spring up within him.--Questions of King Milinda.

Morality brings happiness: ... at night one's rest is peaceful, and on waking one is still happy.--Udanavarga.

If, then, you would please me, show pity to that poor wretch.--Nagananda.

Oppressed with others' sufferings.--Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king.

A loving heart is the great requirement! ... not to oppress, not to destroy; ... not to exalt oneself by treading down others; but to comfort and befriend those in suffering.--Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king.

He cares for and cherishes his people more than one would a naked and perishing child.--Fo-pen-hing-tsih-king.

The acts and the practice of religion, to wit, sympathy, charity, truthfulness, purity, gentleness, kindness.--Pillar Inscriptions of Asoka.

Go ye, O Brethren, and wander forth, for the gain of the many, the welfare of the many, in compa.s.sion for the world, for the good, for the gain, for the welfare of ... men.... Publish, O, Brethren, the doctrine glorious.... Preach ye a life of holiness ... perfect and pure.--Mahavagga.

Go, then, through every country, convert those not converted.... Go, therefore, each one travelling alone; filled with compa.s.sion, go!

rescue and receive.--Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king.

Have you not heard what Buddha says in the Sutra (where he bids his followers), not to despise the little child?--Ta-chw.a.n.g-yan-king-lun.

In this mode of salvation there are no distinctions of rich and poor, male and female, people and priests: all are equally able to arrive at the blissful state.--From a Chinese Buddhist Tract.

Even the most unworthy who seeks for salvation is not to be forbidden.--Ta-chw.a.n.g-yan-king-lun.

Look with friendship ... on the evil and on the good.--Introduction to Jataka Book.

Should those who are not with us, O Brethren, speak in dispraise of me,[1] or of my doctrine, or of the church, that is no reason why you should give way to anger.--Brahma-jala-sutta.

[Footnote 1: Buddha.]

Why should there be such sorrowful contention? You honor what we honor, both alike: then we are brothers as concerns religion.--Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king.

No decrying of other sects, ... no depreciation (of others) without cause, but on the contrary, rendering of honor to other sects for whatever cause honor is due. By so doing, both one's sect will be helped forward, and other sects benefited; by acting otherwise, one's own sect will be destroyed in injuring others.--Rock Inscriptions of Asoka.