[Buddha-l] Re: Buddhist social deconstruction

[Mike Austin]

In message <446295DA.6010407 at boulder.net>, Steven Rhodes 
<srhodes at boulder.net> writes

>I believe that this discussion is in The Precious Garland (vv. 
>330-337), not in The Friendly Letter.

Here it is, for those who don't have it:

330 Even if they rightfully have fined,
Bound or punished people and so forth,
You, being softened with compassion,
Should always take care [of the offenders].

331 O King, through compassion you should always
Generate an attitude of help
Even for all those embodied beings
Who have committed appalling sins.

332 Especially generate compassion
For those murderers, whose sins are horrible;
Those of fallen nature are receptacles
Of compassion from those whose nature is great.

333 Free the weaker prisoners
After a day or five days,
Do not think the others
Are never to be freed.

334 For each one whom you do not think
To free you will lose the layman's vow,
Because you will have lost the vow
Faults will constantly be amassed.

335 As long as the prisoners are not freed,
They should be made comfortable
With barbers, baths, food, drink,
Medicine and clothing.

336 Just as unworthy sons are punished
Out of a wish to make them worthy,
So punishment should be enforced with compassion
And not through hatred or desire for wealth.

337 Once you have analysed the angry
Murderers and recognised them well,
You should banish them without
Killing or tormenting them.

-- 
Metta
Mike Austin