Questions tagged [compassion]
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Stages of Compassion • Mahayana
Dear friends, I am looking for references pertaining to the notion of the Four Stages of Compassion in the Mahayana traditions.
Thank you for your kind and generous help, may you all be well and safe....
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The Practice of Giving: How to Practice Giving “Thusly”?
In the Diamond Sutra (or Vajra Prajna Paramita Sutra) Buddha says to Subhuti:
a Bodhisattva should not dwell anywhere when he gives. He should not dwell in forms when he gives, nor should he dwell ...
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1answer
69 views
Why vinaya forbids monk to ordain physically handicapped?
Isn't this a kind of "opposite to empathy, compassion, metta"?
Nowdays, householders(not all) have cruel behaviour towards handicapped ones. If monk also declines to help, would that be called as ...
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29 views
Compassion Meditation's Efficiency
In compassion meditation (metta-bhavana), does the strength of the effect depend mainly on concentration? Or are there other factors involved as well?
Thank you.
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68 views
“true love”, compassion and suffering
According to Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, "true love" has four elements:
Loving kindness: this produces a lot of joy and happiness.
Compassion: it makes us and the other people suffer less.
Joy: "If ...
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78 views
Are loving-kindness and compassion (metta and karuna) special kind of attachments?
To alleviate someone from suffering, Buddhism teaches one to practice mettā
karuṇā. But it seems to me that to thinking good about someone and wish them the best, we need to have a better version of ...
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72 views
Immediate Remedies to Judgmental Thoughts
I had previously asked a question about contempt. Since then, I noticed a few things, such as that it's not easy for me to 'cancel' out analytically my judgment of others. If I try to question my ...
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107 views
Inauthentic Compassion and Friendship
When I meditate on compassion, afterwards there is a post-meditative effect of making me kinder, but usually in a way that doesn't benefit me. It makes me want to rekindle friendships that were not ...
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Analysis and Compassion
I understand that compassion meditation uses in great part feeling and the generation of affect. I wonder: Are there aspects of compassion only accessible through meditating on compassion analytically?...
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55 views
Pride and Compassion
I have read in psychological studies that oxytocin and serotonin interact to produce social rewards. Serotonin has been postulated to relate to authentic pride (a positive kind of pride based on ...
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476 views
What is the view of Buddhism in correcting others' view in spite of their willingness to accept it?
I have these questions:
If an enlightened mind sees that helping someone is beneficial to them, then would they do it even when the helped doesn't proactively ask?
If they are hated by the helped, ...
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99 views
Fearful of Compassion
I started practising compassion meditation, and initially it worked very well. Yet, I feel more averse to it than initially, and when I meditate I sometimes experience a kind of distorted facial ...
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78 views
Gratitude, Movement and Compassion
I noticed all the emotions mentioned in the title have a certain similarity. Does Buddhism talk about movement or gratitude?
Similarly, movement seems to occur spontaneously, but gratitude and ...
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89 views
Has any Buddhist ever talked about postponing Buddhahood forever, but not for all sentient beings?
Has any Buddhist ever talked about postponing Buddhahood forever, but not for all sentient beings?
I do not, I suppose, mean because the "bodhisattva" enjoys life. I am trying to ask about "...
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1answer
42 views
Compassion's Unity
My question is two-fold.
First, I believe that metta is classified as a meditation object involving concentration. Yet, in this study, researchers suggest it is a mixture of focused attention (e.g. ...
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2answers
85 views
Compassion and Motivation
I wondered today whether compassion is an antidote to a kind of lack of motivation, given that it remedies fear in the suttas, and often approach and avoidance are seen as opposite (e.g. fight or ...
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1answer
38 views
Loving-Kindness for Concentration
In meditation, I seem to have great difficulty with the breath. Having some stability and mindfulness, but very little concentration, vividness and sharpness.
However, loving-kindness works for me ...
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2answers
100 views
Friendship and Compassion
I've realized that that I don't feel much friendliness for a person which I considered my friend previously. At the level of friendship, things are not the same.
Yet, this person has done nothing ...
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1answer
63 views
Buddha's Comment on Compassion Meditation
I think I recall reading about the Buddha saying that compassion meditation was far superior to compassionate action, hundreds (or some great number) times more. Is this accurate? What is the source ...
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How do you talk to someone whose loved one is dying?
What can you say to someone whose loved one (e.g. spouse or parent) is dying?
Assume if you can that in the West, e.g. Europe and America, although people (strangers) might have heard the first thing ...
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1answer
41 views
Emotion in Compassion Meditation
I have a very simple question. Sometimes, I visualize in compassion meditation without feeling anything for the whole session. Sometimes, I feel a lot of affect and start even crying.
Should one ...
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3answers
296 views
Is the Buddhist path one of 'selfless offering' or 'inner kindness'?
Just expanding on this answer is the Buddhist path one of 'selfless offering of oneself and efforts' or of 'inner kindness' i.e. kindness to oneself. Or is it both or neither. I've come across both ...
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104 views
Should/Would the Noble Sangha let go of the Dhamma?
Supposed that respect, veneration and any kind of wisdom has gone missing; and that the Sangha has become a group of householder wearing robes; and the leaders of the Sasana are all but householders. ...
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2answers
145 views
Lovingkindness and Compassion of the Buddha?
In an effort to understand the concept of lovingkindness it would help me to see how the Buddha explicitly described lovingkindness and specific acts of his unconditional compassion. I've heard from ...
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105 views
Feeling versus Analysis in Compassion Meditation
I believe I have read within the Dalai Lama's works that there exists (at least) two kinds of compassion meditation:
Generating the four abodes within oneself, in a more concentrative and affective ...
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4answers
126 views
How is one supposed to be compassionate and 100% free of suffering while others are suffering?
How is this possible besides if one simply doesn't mind if others are suffering?
But if one truly doesn't mind whether others are suffering or not isn't that a lack of compassion? Is one supposed to ...
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114 views
What are The Buddha's most compassionate acts?
Source could be from sutras or anything else. Thank you.
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Is it correct to say that true compassion (not trying to be) only manifest when there is wisdom?
That is to say that wisdom must come first before compassion.
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How to avoid apathy in the absence of self?
I have noticed in my meditation / mindfulness practice the following: as the idea of self dissolves, the ideas of compassion, happiness, sorrow, and basically everything that a "person" might ...
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155 views
If you cannot can save others then why is your practice more worthy than anything else?
If you have doubts on whether your practice (i.e. of the Eightfold Path) will free anyone from saṁsāra in your lifetime, then what reasons can you give for why your practice should take precedence ...
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264 views
are mundane acts of compassion meaningful?
Did the Buddha say anything of the value of mundane acts of generosity which may temporarily alleviate the suffering of others in a temporary, worldly way, but do not free others from from suffering?
...
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91 views
How important is motivation in determining the virtue/non-virtue of a karmic action?
I ask this question because I assumed the importance of motivation being paramount in determining the virtue/non-virtue of karmic action was widely shared among all traditions. Anyway, I'd like to ...
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5answers
127 views
What do ethical conduct (sila) and compassion have to do with the cessation of dukkha?
As I understand the Third Noble Truth, the cessation of dukkha is brought about by ending craving. I can see how, for example, practicing renunciation, or seeing no self, assist us in achieving this, ...
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309 views
Dhamma makes one dispassionate then how can one be compassionate?
Namo Buddhaya. After practicing Dhamma one becomes dispassionate. However Buddha says one should cultivate and practice Compassion. So am I not killing my own profit of dispassion by compassion?
My ...
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Judgment, Stereotyping, and Empathic Compassion
I am somewhat curious, following an answer to a previous question of mine, as to why understanding a person's background might inhibit judging them in a stereotypical way. I perceived this in my ...
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93 views
Most effective meditation techniques to develop empathy, love and compassion for others?
I feel like a very cold and sensual person. Easily attracted to sensual pleasure but very cold and numb when it comes to bonding with other human beings. I want to change, and therefore I want to make ...
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142 views
Compassion is a result of knowledge. But what about Courage?
We are all suffering. This knowledge results in compassion. Buddha was compassionate. And courageous too.
My question is : Is there any aspect of knowledge which results in courage?
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247 views
Are the physicists suffering?
Physicists are scientist who study the reality and draw conclusions about it scientifically. After studying what Buddha said it appears to me that Physicists are trapped in a wrong world. They believe ...
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Not breaking the first precept vs. developing compassion
In Theravada, we have established that eating meat does not break the first precept in many Buddhism SE questions (for example, this question and other questions linked in its comments).
However, ...
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Can someone address this critique?
I found a rather compelling critique on the Internet and would like to ask you to answer this. He probably misunderstood dukkha, however, he is somewhat right on the nihilism aspect of buddhism. In ...
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Am I feeling pity or compassion?
I'm confused. The 50+ year old nanny whom I hired to take care of my firstborn has just resigned a week ago. Before she left, I willingly gave her about 25% more than the salary we agreed upon. I also ...
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55 views
Tonglen - Exchanging Self and Other - Intersubjectivity
Dear friends, looking for parallels between the practice of Tonglen, and the Husserlian notion of Intersubjectivity, I have come upon this research paper by Natalie Depraz, Phd. Quoting from the ...
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Where and what to study - Buddhist compassion and business communication
I have a background in business studies and communication. I believe that what the Buddha taught about how we should communicate with each other compassionately can change the business world. I want ...
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142 views
What would be the motivation for an arahant to perform generous deeds?
In the early stages of the gradual training, the instructions point out to perform generous deeds out of compassion. Knowing that a arahant has no more any trace of desire or self-identification and ...
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4answers
79 views
How can we say no without giving explanations?
Let's say that a friend asks you if you want to go on a trip with him.
You have a bad feeling about it, your intuition raises a red flag. How do you say no without making up a fake excuse?
When I ...
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234 views
Saving the stink bug
Real question (this happened today). Imagine you're meditating by the fireplace. Outside is cold winter with snow. You have achieved a nice level of concentration, and suddenly you see a stink bug ...
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1answer
802 views
The monk who ignored his visiting wife and infant son
The following story comes in Udana 1.8.
It is about a monk by the name of Sanghamaji, who, when seated under a tree, was visited by his former wife, carrying their infant son. She tried several times ...
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4answers
195 views
Paths of Buddhism & Possibility of Compassion
I have read about different types of paths for spiritual aspirants. Namely:
Śrāvakayāna
Pratyekabuddhayāna
Bodhisattvayāna
Of the first, Asanga states their faculties are limited:
"...
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Why should I give a bowl full of rice to a monk if there is no rebirth?
If there is no rebirth, what is the response for a layman asking as below?
Oh, monk, I have been feeding you for ten years and I was told that my good deeds could secure me a better fortune on my re-...
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Self-Compassion and Wisdom
I have questions linked with wisdom and self-compassion.
(1) Does self-compassion arise from wisdom?
(2) Does self-compassion imply accumulating joys and happiness in a context of detachment and non-...
