ut measure, unhindered love and
friendliness toward the whole world, above, below, around. Standing,
walking, sitting, or lying, let him be firm in this mind so long as he is
awake; this state of heart, they say, is the best in the world.
_Metta Sutta._
* * * * *
He who lives pure in thought, free from malice, contented, leading a holy
life, _feeling tenderly for all creatures_, speaking wisely and kindly,
humbly and sincerely, has the Deity ever in his breast. The Eternal makes
not his abode within the breast of that man who covets another's wealth,
who _injures living creatures_, who is proud of his iniquity, whose mind is
evil.
_Dhammapada._
* * * * *
FROM THE ASOKA INSCRIPTIONS.
The discontinuance of the murder of human beings and of cruelty to animals,
respect for parents, obedience to father and mother, obedience to holy
elders, these are good deeds.--_No. IV._
And now the joyful chorus resounds again and again that henceforward not a
single animal shall be put to death.--_No. V._
In a summary of the inscriptions by Arthur Lillie, in "Buddhism and Early
Buddhism," he says, they require also, for the benefit of both beast and
men, "that gardens be cultivated everywhere of healing shrubs and herbs."
[The inscriptions were written on "rocks, temples, and monuments" in India
for the instruction of the people, by order of the Emperor Asoka, who lived
about 250 years before Christ.]
* * * * *
OLD HINDOO.
God is within this universe, and yet outside this universe; whoever beholds
all living creatures as in Him, and Him the universal Spirit, as in all,
henceforth regards no creature with contempt.
_Quoted by_ REV. J. E. CARPENTER.
* * * * *
TRUTH.
It fortifies my soul to know
That though I perish, truth is so,
That howsoe'er I stray and range,
Whate'er I do, thou dost not change.
I steadier step when I recall
That, if I slip, thou dost not fall.
ARTHUR HUGH CLOUGH.
* * * * *
OUR PETS.
We, dying, fondly hope the life immortal
To win at last;
Yet all that live must through death's dreary portal
At length have passed.
And from the hope which shines so bright above us,
My spirit turns,
And for the lowlier ones, that serve and
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