Udana 2-3: The Discourse about the Stick

A couple of weeks ago Kah Choon asked a question in the comments about cruelty to animals, and besides other things I quoted a verse from a discourse of the Buddha in which he reprimands boys who torment animals, and now I posting the full discourse so the context can be seen. Tomorrow I will include another, albeit legendary, story of the Bodhisatta’s concern for animals.

For this and further texts, including the interleaved text and translation, please follow up from the SOURCE.

Thus I heard: at one time the Gracious One was dwelling near Sāvatthī, in Jeta’s Wood, at Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery.

Then at that time many young boys who were between Sāvatthī and Jeta’s Wood were attacking a snake with a stick.

Then the Gracious One, having dressed in the morning time, after picking up his bowl and robe, was entering Sāvatthī for alms. The Gracious One saw (those) many young boys between Sāvatthī and Jeta’s Wood attacking a snake with a stick.

Then the Gracious One, having understood the significance of it, on that occasion uttered this exalted utterance:

“He who, while seeking happiness for himself, harms with a stick
(Other) beings who desire happiness, will not find happiness after passing away.

He who, while seeking happiness for himself, does not harm with a stick
(Other) beings who desire happiness, will find happiness after passing away.”