Texts from the Buddhist canon : commonly known as Dhammapada

ON LOVE OR MERCIFULNESS. 59
and without pollution, and sacrifices of a hundred beasts
of different kinds should be, offered on the four hills (or to
the four quarters), the, sun, moon, and stars, with a young
child as a crowning oblation to Heaven. Then the King
in his own person, with his mother, going to this place to
participate in the sacrifice, the stars and heavenly bodies
may be propitiated.! [On this Buddha, moved with compassion,
came to the spot, and preached a sermon on " Love
to all that lives," and added these words]
" If a man lives a hundred years, and engages the
whole of his time and attention in religious oflerings
to the gods, sacrificing elephants and horses, and
other things, all this is not equal to one act of pure
love in saving life."
[In consequence of this sermon and the exhibition of the
glorious body of Buddha, they were converted, and became
disciples.]
' Here follows a description of the ern Gate towards the place of sacri-
King ordering a hundred head of ele- fioe, and how their piteous cries rang
phants, horses, oxen, sheep, to be through (shook) heaven and earth,
driven along the road from the East-
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