Buddha saw one day, <br />A shepherd on the way, <br />Chasing goats and sheep, <br />All in one pack to keep. <br /> <br />A little lamb trailed behind, <br />With a severe wound <br />When it was struck, <br />By the shepherd’s stick. <br /> <br />As if he was wounded, <br />Buddha’s heart melted. <br />He took it in his hand, <br />And slowly went behind. <br /> <br />“Caring innocent being <br />Is better than sitting <br />In caves, with eyes closed, <br />As if not concerned.” <br /> <br />He asked the shepherd, <br />“Oh my friend <br />Where do you take <br />This huge flock? ” <br /> <br />The shepherd replied, <br />“In sacrifice, to be offered, <br />The King had ordered. <br />And I obey his command.” <br /> <br />When the flock passed <br />Thro’ streets, people talked, <br />“See, he’s a holy hermit. <br />The flock, he has brought.” <br /> <br />Near the altar Buddha stood. <br />The King then understood, <br />The ceremony to lead <br />The hermit came as head. <br /> <br />The high priest was about <br />To cut with knife a goat, <br />Buddha cried, “Oh King, <br />This, why are you allowing.” <br /> <br />“Every creature loves to live, <br />As a human being likes to live. <br />It’s an act of cruelty to kill, <br />For sacrifice, innocent animals.” <br /> <br />The priest threw the knife <br />And spared the goat’s life. <br />The King ordered, “No more <br />Sacrifices in his land, in future.”<br /><br />Rajaram Ramachandran<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/buddha-34-compassion-for-animals/
