feature in the voluminous
compositions of Buddhist writers is the boundless compassion which
they consistently inculcate.

The insertion of a passage in these pages does not necessarily imply
that the compiler accepts in its entirety the teaching it conveys.
Concerning that oft-repeated injunction, not to kill any living
creature whatsoever, we can hardly doubt that there are many cases in
which to take life, provided it is taken painlessly, not only is not
on the whole an unkindness, but is an act of beneficence. If we
sometimes give to this injunction the sense of extending our sympathy
to the lowest sentient being, and not causing pain to living creatures
while they live, we shall perhaps not be doing violence to the spirit
of mercy by which it was prompted. There are many passages in Buddhist
works which advocate preference for the spirit over the letter, or the
exercise of judgment in accepting what we are taught.

A few passages, though not many, have been included more because they
are striking or poetical than for the sake of their moral teaching.

As the references given are mostly to the Oriental origins, it is only
fair to insert here a list of the English and French translations
which have been principally used in compiling this book. The following
works comprise most of those which have proved directly of service for
the purpose--"Sacred Books of the East," namely:

Vol. 10. Dhammapada, by F. Max Muller; and Sutta-Nipata, by V.
Fausboll.

Vol. 11. Buddhist Suttas, by T. W. Rhys Davids.

Vol. 13. Vinaya Texts, part 1, by T. W. Rhys Davids and H.
Oldenberg.

Vol. 17. Vinaya Texts, part 2, by T. W. Rhys Davids and H.
Oldenberg.

Vol. 19. Fo-sho-hing-tsan-king, by Rev. S. Beal.

Vol. 20. Vinaya Texts, part 3, by T. W. Rhys Davids and H.
Oldenberg.

Vol. 21. Saddharma-pundarika, by H. Kern.

Vol. 35. Questions of King Milinda, part 1, by T. W. Rhys Davids.

Vol. 36. Questions of King Milinda, part 2, by T. W. Rhys Davids.

Vol. 49. Buddhist Mahayana Texts, by E. B. Cowell, F. Max Muller,
and J. Takakusu.

"Sacred Books of the Buddhists," namely:
Vol. 1. Jatakamala, by J. S. Speyer.
Vol. 2. Dialogues of the Buddha, by T. W. Rhys Davids.

The Jataka, or Stories of the Buddha's Former Births, translated
under the editorship of Professor E. B. Cowell.

Buddhism of Tibet, by L. A. Waddell.