Quotes which inspire and support you in your path.

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Permalink Reply by lessthanthree on June 11, 2008 at 6:01pm

He should not kill a living being, nor cause it to be killed, nor should he incite another to kill. Do not injure any being, either strong or weak, in the world. --Lord Buddha in Sn 2.14

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Permalink Reply by lessthanthree on June 12, 2008 at 6:43am

Not to hurt our humble brethren is our first duty to them, but to stop there is not enough. We have a higher mission -- to be of service to them wherever they require it. --St. Francis of Assisi

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If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men. --St. Francis of Assisi

~

Regarding the second quote, I have always felt this way about the killing of animals. That how we treat them is the basis of how we treat people. But St. Francis says it better! =-)

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Permalink Reply by lessthanthree on June 12, 2008 at 8:46am

One’s flesh and the flesh of others is the same flesh. Therefore the Enlightened Ones eat no meat. --Lord Buddha from Angulimala Sutra

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Permalink Reply by pradtf on June 12, 2008 at 10:19pm

I tremble for my species when I reflect that God is just.
Thomas Jefferson, 3rd US president

Until he extends the circle of his compassion to all living things, man will not himself find peace.
Albert Schweitzer, missionary and statesman, Nobel 1952

And God said, 'Behold, I have given you every herb-bearing seed, which is upon the face of the earth, and every tree, in which are fruits; for you it shall be as meat.'
Bible (Genesis 1:29)
(and genesis 1:30 is even more interesting!)

For as long as men massacre animals, they will kill each other. Indeed, he who sows the seed of murder and pain cannot reap joy and love.
Pythagoras, philosopher and mathematician

O men! you can take life easily but, remember, none of you can give life! So, have mercy, have compassion! And, never forget, that compassion makes the world noble and beautiful.
Buddha, compassionate one

The above are from
http://towardsfreedom.com/veggiechess/goVegquotes.html
feel free to go there and enter some yourself.

in friendship,
prad

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Permalink Reply by lessthanthree on July 18, 2008 at 12:01pm

And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so. --Genesis 1:30

Finally looked it up. =-)

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Permalink Reply by lessthanthree on June 16, 2008 at 8:39pm

Then The Bodhisattva Kash yapa addressed the Blessed Lord and said, “Lord, you do not partake of meat, and to eat meat is indeed unfitting. And if anyone were to ask me why this is so, I would answer that those who refrain from eating it are possessed of eight excellent qualities.”

“That is very good,” the Buddha answered Kashyapa. “You well perceive the intention of my mind. This indeed is how the Bodhisattvas, custodians of my Doctrine, should understand. Son of my lineage, even the Shravakas, those who keep close company with me, must not eat meat. Even if, in a gesture of faith, almsgivers provide them with meat, they must shrink from it as they would shrink from the flesh of their own children.”

Then the Bodhisattva Kashyapa asked the Buddha, “But why indeed, O Lord and Tathagata, do you forbid the consumption of meat?” “Son of my lineage!” the Lord replied. “Eating meat destroys the attitude of great compassion.” “But in the past, O Lord,” asked Kashyapa, “did you not allow the eating of meat found suitable after it as been examined in three ways?” “Yes,” the Buddha said. “I allowed the eating of meat found suitable after threefold examination, in order to assist those who were striving to overcome their habit of eating meat.” --Lord Buddha from the Mahaparinirvana Sutra

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Permalink Reply by lessthanthree on June 17, 2008 at 7:59am

The above might be, I am told, too long to be a quote. =-)

To focus in on the most important parts for me would be the following:

Even if, in a gesture of faith, alms givers provide them with meat, they must shrink from it as they would shrink from the flesh of their own children. --Lord Buddha from the Mahaparinirvana Sutra

Eating meat destroys the attitude of great compassion. --Lord Buddha from the Mahaparinirvana Sutra

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Permalink Reply by lessthanthree on June 18, 2008 at 7:07am

To sum up, whoever thinks and acts out of a concern to achieve his or her own well-being is a worldly person; whoever thinks and acts out of a concern to achieve the well-being of others is a dharma person. --Jamgon Kongtrul from The Great Path of Awakening

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Permalink Reply by lessthanthree on June 18, 2008 at 8:09am

“Harm no person, animal, plant or mineral.” --Thich Nhat Hanh

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Permalink Reply by pradtf on June 18, 2008 at 11:12am

what is the correct action to take with those who harm others? and why?

in friendship,
prad

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Permalink Reply by lessthanthree on June 20, 2008 at 7:17am

It seems to me that what ever action a person takes in regard to those who harm others should be done with a great deal of understanding and compassion. Because those who commit harm are in reality hurting themselves. Those who hurt themselves are in need of compassion.

Every situation is different, but non-violent compassionate action is key.

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Permalink Reply by pradtf on June 21, 2008 at 11:35pm

Because those who commit harm are in reality hurting themselves. Those who hurt themselves are in need of compassion.

it is an interesting line of logic and exhibits a more universal viewpoint of existence. i'm not sure the victims would agree though.

still, i think you are correct as far as the key goes.

in friendship,
prad

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