The Essence of Buddhism | Page 4

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.
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 superstitious 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, compassionate heart for all
creatures.--Fo-pen-hing-tsih-king.
Shall we in worshipping 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 gods, is merciless.
--Sir Edwin Arnold.
I then will ask you, if a man, in worshipping ... 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 compassion.--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
trespasses.--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 rectitude!--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