One Life in All - J P Vaswani

For long centuries man has exploited brother birds and animals for entertainment and sport, food and clothing. Alas! Man has forgotten that the one life, which flows through him, and to which he clings as to his most precious possession, also flows through the animal. Like man, the animal experiences pain and pleasure. Like man, the animal depends on food and air and water for sustenance. Like man, the animal loves its young ones and protects them, in times of danger, with a courage and devotion no human can surpass.

The Spirit of Maitri

Animals, indeed, are the earth-companions of man of whom he may learn many lessons, the supreme among them being the lesson of compassion. "How may we build a new civilization?" was the question asked of Buddha, twenty-five centuries ago. And he answered: "The key to a new civilization is the spirit of Maitri, friendliness towards all living things." And until the spirit of Maitri reveals itself in our laws and our dealings with each other and in our treatment of brother birds and animals, our civilization will not find peace but will continue to wander from unrest to unrest.

© "The Vision" (November, 2001) published by Anandashram Post, Kanhangad, Kerala, India 671 531. Website: www.anandashram.org. Reprinted with permission.

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