ahimsA

[Guest guest]

The great discourse by Tuladhara on non-violence

was cited by Dileepan. Here is an excerpt from

the remarkable original:

 

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This is XII.262 in P.C. Ray's translation. The numbering of

Sukhtankar's critical edition will differ slightly.

 

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Tuladhara said:

Why do you not consume them that emasculate bulls and bore

their noses and cause them to bear heavy burdens and bind them

and put them under diverse kinds of restraint,

 

and those that eat the flesh of living creatures after killing

them? Men are seen to own men as slaves,

 

and by beating, by binding, and by otherwise subjecting them to

restraints, force them to toil day and night. These people are

not unaware of the pain that results from beating ahd chains.

 

In every creature that is endued with the five senses live all

the deities---Surya, Chandramas, the god of wind, Brahman,

Prana, Kratu, and Yama.

 

There are men that live by trafficking in living beings! When

they earn a living by such a sinful course, what scruples need

they feel in selling dead carcasses? The goat is Agni. The

sheep is Varuna. The horse is Surya. Earth is the god Virat.

 

The cow and the calf are Soma. The man who sells these can

never obtain success. But what fault can come from the sale of

oil, of ghrita, honey, or drugs, O twice-born one?

 

There are many animals that grow up in ease and comfort in

places free from gnats and biting insects. Knowing that they

are loved dearly by their mothers, men persecute them in

diverse ways, [i believe this includes human beings. -- Mani]

 

and lead them into miry spots abounding with biting insects.

Many animals are oppressed with heavy burdens. Others are made

to languish in consequence of treatment not sanctioned by the

scriptures.

 

[...]

 

These, O Jajali, are some of the wicked and dreadful practices

that are current in the world. You practice them because they

have been practiced by men from ancient times, and not because

they agree with the dictates of your purified understanding.

 

One should practice what one considers to be one's duty, guided

by reason, instead of blindly following the practices of the

world. Listen now, O Jajali, as to what my behavior is towards

him that injures and him that praises me.

 

I regard both of them in the same light. I have none whom I

like and none whom I dislike. The wise applauded such a course

of conduct as consistent with dharma.

 

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