Big Buddha

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[The Buddha Cut off His Own Flesh to Feed an Eagle]
 
One day, a pigeon was being chased by the eagle, and the pigeon ran to Shakyamuni Buddha seeking protection. When the little pigeon saw the Buddha, it scurried to him in order to escape the eagle. The eagle pursued the pigeon right to where the Buddha was, but it cannot capture the pigeon. He screeched at the Buddha, "Now you are protecting the pigeon, but by doing so you allow me to starve!" The Buddha said, "Well, what do you like to eat?" The eagle said, "Meat!"

 

Hearing that, the Buddha cut some flesh from his own arm to substitute for the pigeon meat. However, no matter how much he cut off, it never equaled the amount of flesh on the pigeon. The eagle remained unsatisfied. He wanted the same portion of meat as was on the pigeon's body. Finally, the Buddha cut all the flesh from his body. Then the eagle asked the Buddha, "You give me all your own flesh, do you hate me now?" The Buddha answered, "No, I do not hate you and regret." After answering, all the flesh he had cut off reappeared on his body, and the Buddha was just the same as before.
 
At that time, the eagle felt a deep respect for the Buddha and it resumed its original form. The eagle had been a transformation of Shakra, a god who had come to test the Buddha to see how vast was the measure of his mind. Shakra respectfully bowed to and praised the Buddha.
 
Buddha encourages us to love all living beings and not to restrict our love only to human beings.