The Essence of Buddhism | Page 5

(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 compassion for them, let
us know such as a "base-born."--Vasala-sutta.
In whom there is truth and righteousness, he is blessed, he is a Brahman.--Dhammapada.
Whoso hurts not (living) creatures, whether those that tremble or those that are strong,
nor yet kills nor causes to be killed, him do I call a Brahman.--Vasettha-sutta.
Whoso is (entirely) divested of sin, as is the heaven of mire and the moon of dust, him do
I call a Brahman.--Udanavarga.
Him I call indeed a Brahman who, though he be guilty of no offense, patiently endures
reproaches, bonds, and stripes.--Dhammapada.
We will patiently suffer threats and blows at the hands of foolish
men.--Saddharma-pundarika.
Who, though he be cursed by the world, yet cherishes no ill-will towards
it.--Sammaparibbajaniya-sutta.
Persecutions and revilings, murders and numberless imprisonments, these hast thou
suffered in thousands from the world, verily delighting in long-suffering.--Lalita Vistara.
At the end of life the soul goes forth alone; whereupon only our good deeds befriend
us.--Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king.
The wrongdoer, devoid of rectitude, ... is full of anxiety when death
arrives.--Mahaparinibbana-sutta.
He who has done what is right is free from fear.--Udanavarga.
No fear has any one of me; neither have I fear of any one: in my good-will to all I
trust.--Introduction to the Jataka.
Our deeds, whether good or evil, ... follow us as shadows.--Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king.
He who now gives in charity Shall surely reap where he has given; For whosoever
piously bestows a little water Shall receive return like the great ocean.
--Ta-chwang-yan-king-lun.
Covetous desire is the greatest (source of) sorrow. Appearing as a friend, in secret 'tis our
enemy.--Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king.
That which is given in charity is rich in returns; therefore charity is a true friend; although
it scatters it brings no remorse.--Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king.

He who stints the profit he has made, his wealth will soon be spent and
lost.--Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king.
The (real) treasure is that laid up ... through charity and piety, temperance and
self-control.... The treasure thus hid is secure, and passes not away. Though he leave the
fleeting riches of the world, this a man carries with him--a treasure that no wrong of
others, and no thief, can steal.--Nidhikanda-sutta.
Think of all sentient beings as thy children.--Tenets of the Soto Sect.
Though exalted, forget not the lowly.--Jitsu-go-kiyo.
Be kind to all that lives.--Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king.
Filled with compassion for all creatures.--Saddharma-pundarika.
Of all possessions, contentedness is the best by far.--Nagarjuna's "Friendly Epistle."
A contented mind is always joyful.--Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king.
Let us then live happily, though we call nothing our own.--Dhammapada.
Not the whole world, ... the ocean-girt earth, With all the seas and the hills that girdle it,
Would I wish to possess with shame added thereto.
--Questions of King Milinda.
Let none be forgetful of his own duty for the sake of another's.--Dhammapada.
The faults of others are easily seen; one's own faults are difficult to see.--Udanavarga.
Self-examination is painful.--Pillar Inscriptions of Asoka.
A man winnows his neighbor's faults like chaff: his own he hides, as a cheat the bad die
from the gambler.--Dhammapada.
She orders her household aright, she is hospitable to kinsmen and friends, a chaste wife, a
thrifty housekeeper, skilful and diligent in all her duties.--Sigalovada-sutta.
The wife ... should be cherished by her husband.--Sigalovada-sutta.
Were I not ready to suffer adversity with my husband as well as to enjoy happiness with
him, I should be no true wife.--Legend of We-than-da-ya.
It is better to die in righteousness than to live in unrighteousness.--Loweda Sangrahaya.
Better to fling away life than transgress our convictions of
duty.--Ta-chwang-yan-king-lun.

Better for me to die battling (with the temper) than that I should live
defeated.--Padhana-sutta.
The loving Father of all that lives.--Tsing-tu-wan.
Our loving Father, and Father of all that breathes.--Daily Manual of the Shaman.
Even so of all things that have ... life, there is not one that (the Buddhist anchorite) passes
over; ... he looks upon all with ... deep-felt love. This, verily, ... is the way to a state of
union with God.--Tevijja-sutta.
Doubts will exist as long as we live in the world. Yet, pursuing with joy the road of virtue,
Like the man who observes the rugged path along the precipice, we ought Gladly and
profitably