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dharma; I take refuge in Buddha; I take refuge in Sangha (the community of monks).” In the time of the Buddha, Sanskrit was the established language of sacrament, therefore the word dharma is used; however, in later times, Pali and Prakrit became the languages of the common people and the Sanskrit word dharma became dhamma in the Pali language.
In accord with Lord Mahavira of Jain dharma, Buddha was also a great proponent of non-violence. He was always eager to sacrifice his own life for the sake of protecting the life of other beings. He once said to a king: “If you think you will attain heaven by sacrificing some helpless animal, then you should be able to find the greater reward by sacrificing a human being. Oh, King! Cut the shackles of that animal, and free the animal! Instead, sacrifice me. I ask you, will it not be, that you will acquire a greater merit through human sacrifice?” The king was shocked.
Many years had passed after Buddha had left Kapilvastu. His father, King, Shudhodhana, became anxious after not seeing or heard from his son for such a long time. He was eager to meet with him and sent many letters through various channels in order contact him. Finally, the king sent Buddha's childhood friend, Kalaudai, as an ambassador to carry a letter to him. When
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