On Love or Mercifulness [Mettá]

 1. In old times, Buddha was residing in a country about 500 li from Râjagriha, full of mountains. In these mountains there lived a certain clan of about 122 persons, who occupied themselves in hunting, and fed themselves on the flesh of the animals they killed. [Buddha goes to the place and converts the women, who were left alone during the day, whilst their husbands were hunting, and then adds these lines]:

“He who is humane does not kill (or, it is humane not to kill); he is ever able to preserve (his own?) life. This principle (chu) is imperishable; whoever observes it, no calamity shall betide that man. Politeness, indifference to worldly things, hurting no one, without place for annoyance—this is the character of the Brahma Heaven (or of Brahma Deva). Ever exercising love towards the infirm; pure, according to the teaching of Buddha; knowing when sufficient has been had; knowing when to stop,—this is to escape (the recurrence of) Birth and Death.” ¹