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DISCOURSE 14
237
we not adopt the negative form of amity? If even this attitude is not present; you are worse than an animal. This kind of amity is present even in animals. They won't act ungratefully towards their benefactors and they do not cause harm to their benefactors. When I was young, I heard the story of a lion. THE FEELING OF AMITY EVEN IN ANIMALS
Once, there was a lion in a forest. One day, a sharp thorn got stuck in its foot. The lion went limping with great pain. It sat beneath a tree and was looking at its foot. By chance, a traveller by name, Androcles came that way. He saw that lion. In the eyes of the lion, there was pain; not cruelty. He understood what had happened to the lion. He was touched with pity when he saw the condition of the lion. Without fear, he went near the lion and carefully removed the thorn from its foot. The lion was relieved of its pain. With great happiness, the lion licked the body on the traveller. Then, the traveller went away.
Some days later, that traveller, Androcles was arrested by a king for some offence. The king passed a death-sentence upon him. The method adopted in that country to kill offenders was an easy one. Near the palace, there was a ground meant for that purpose. On the four sides of the ground, high walls had been built to make an arena. There was an opening in the wall through which a lion could be released into the arena from a cage. The method of punishing the offender was to leave the offender in the area and to let loose upon his a hungry lion. The hungry lion would leap upon the offender; would tear him into pieces and eat him. The king and his retinue would sit in a gallery and watch the sight as if it was a sport. They used to enjoy seeing this sight: You too enjoy the sight of somebody beating another man. You are all very kind-hearted people, you see?
From the Audience: Since such sights cannot be seen in the city we go to movies to see fights and killing. In the movies, we can see such sights. DO NOT SEE VIOLENT SCENES
Maharajashri : What feeling do you experience when you see such sights? Does your heart experience anguish at the sight
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| SR No. | 006513 |
| Book Title | Way of Life Part 1 |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Bhadraguptasuri |
| Publisher | Vishvakalyan Prakashan Trust Mehsana |
| Publication Year | 1986 |
| Total Pages | 432 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English & Religion |
| File Size | 22 MB |