Philosophical reasoning and analytical logic have characterised much of Buddhist thought. Yet it is perhaps the path of compassion (karuna) that lies at the heart of the Buddha principle.
Compassion is seen as an important element of spiritual practice.... a feeling arising not merely out of common pity but a heart felt empathy which will not allow a realised soul to rest till he/she removes the veil of suffering and ignorance of all.
In Bodhiacharyavatara (a guide to the Bodhisattava's Way of Life). Santideva (Buddhist monk teacher of Nalanda) delineates The Way, "truly heroic beings" postponed attainment of Nirvana until every other being also attains that bliss of enlightenment.
To cultivate compassion a challenge to identify and rise above our deepest dislikes and prejudices,to understand our innermost anxieties and fears and to know that we actually mirror each other
The interconnectedness of life can be felt only by a compassionate heart which would see beyond misconceptions and limitations of thought -mind which the Dalai Lama emphasises '....itself predetermines what we perceive'.
Compassion is the healing meditative tool to tear away the veil of ego centric ignorance that we are all separate entities.
A Zen teacher said '....compassion without wisdom would be sentimental and wisdom without compassion would be unthinkable.....they go together like the foot before and the foot after in walking'.
taken help from sayings of Dalai Lama ,Zen masters ,writings on Buddhism
3 comments:
Lovely post on compassion :) Here is an old post on Darvish about it also:
http://darvish.wordpress.com/2007/04/02/the-smile-of-unbearable-compassion/
Your post helped me a lot in understanding compassion better. Thanks for sharing.
Love & Peace,
Mystical Nima
compassion is not 'karuna', my dear. i feel it is 'sahamarmita'- the english synonym as stated by you is 'empathy'.i also agree that it is chicken and egg situation regarding compassion and wisdom - two legs in walking is a good example.the ability to put oneself in others shoes is wisdom and from it flows compassion.lovely piece of writing.
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