法苑珠林 65.23

65.23

我實是畜獸　名曰人頭鹿
汝雖是鹿身　名為鹿頭人
以理而言之　非以形為人
若能有慈悲　雖獸實是人
我從今日始　不食一切肉
我以無畏施　且可安汝意

“I am truly a beast,
Called a human-headed deer.
Though you have a deer's body,
You are called a deer-headed human.
Speaking according to principle,
One is not human merely by form.
If one can possess compassion,
Though a beast, one is truly human.
From this day forward,
I shall not eat any meat.
I offer the gift of fearlessness,
So that your mind may be at ease.”