Questions tagged [compassion]

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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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4 votes
5 answers
313 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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3 answers
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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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1 vote
5 answers
175 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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3 votes
4 answers
908 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 ...
Dheeraj Verma's user avatar
2 votes
3 answers
122 views

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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1 vote
3 answers
135 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 ...
xwb's user avatar
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3 answers
185 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?
Dheeraj Verma's user avatar
3 votes
5 answers
296 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 ...
Dheeraj Verma's user avatar
0 votes
4 answers
161 views

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, ...
ruben2020's user avatar
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4 votes
8 answers
315 views

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 ...
Val's user avatar
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1 vote
3 answers
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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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1 answer
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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 ...
Fabien Todescato's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
106 views

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 ...
user68706's user avatar
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1 vote
3 answers
177 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 ...
Danilo's user avatar
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4 answers
87 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 ...
Hseeker's user avatar
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5 votes
7 answers
276 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 ...
Andriy Volkov's user avatar
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1 answer
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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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4 votes
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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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2 answers
168 views

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-...
Epic's user avatar
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2 answers
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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-...
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3 votes
5 answers
324 views

Recurring Lack of Compassion

I am trying generally to follow the Mahayana path, with a union of emptiness and compassion. However, I experience clear problems with compassion. These manifest as : 1) general detachment from people ...
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3 votes
2 answers
97 views

Appreciating Nature Aesthetically

I recall reading somewhere that beauty is a lure within Buddhism, and causes attachment towards the external world. However, I've come to think beauty may be positive in certain circumstances. This ...
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7 votes
5 answers
980 views

How can I become less affected by politics?

since I started my buddhist practice some five years ago, I have made great advancements. I think I've become much more accepting and loving towards others. I used to be cynical and arrogant and I ...
tigrefurry's user avatar
5 votes
3 answers
213 views

Two Extremes of Metta

I've practiced metta, or attempted to, with mixed results. Sometimes I'm wondering even how to practice metta, and in my mind it feels like I'm just repeating "How can I develop compassion? How can ...
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4 votes
5 answers
325 views

Compassion and Wisdom

Does wise practice of compassion ever lead to suffering or bliss for the practitioner? Is there a difference between compassion cultivated through the Brammaviharas and compassion cultivated through ...
Lowbrow's user avatar
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4 votes
4 answers
275 views

How to think about the four immeasurable minds?

I am curious about how to think about the four immeasurable minds in a practical way, please help me make sense of them (see detailed question below) Background In the book Teachings on Love by ...
sunyata's user avatar
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1 vote
4 answers
419 views

What does Buddhism say about pragmatic retribution?

I'd really like to buy into the ideas of understanding and patience even for those who hurt us. However my concern is that sometimes failing to engage in the tit-for-tat teaches that there are no ...
Bradley Thomas's user avatar
5 votes
7 answers
152 views

Brahma Viharas Without Visualizing

I have a fairly straightforward question. When I visualize without aim, or even sometimes with aim, disturbing or aggressive images sometimes arise in consciousness. Can I practice meditations on the ...
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2 votes
5 answers
327 views

Barriers to Compassion

I think most would say that anger and prejudice are the main obstacles to compassion, but I'm wondering on the topic of sympathetic joy. If everything is empty, and suffering, and impermanent, how can ...
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2 votes
3 answers
2k views

Does Buddha go to Naraka (hell) to save those tormented beings?

I heard one regarded by many a Buddhist teacher said, "Buddha will go to Naraka to save those suffering (tormented) beings, whilst those (monks, buddhists) will want to go to the Purelands. That (...
Mishu 米殊's user avatar
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9 votes
4 answers
353 views

Hatred arising after a friend tried to make my fiancé cheat on me

Yesterday one of my fiancé's friends had a heart attack at 25 due to alcoholism. She stayed with him all night. When he was discharged she was sleeping at his house because she was too tired to drive ...
Lachy Vass's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
88 views

What are the guides for lay followers, as to how far they should go to be compassionate?

How far should lay followers go, to help others? There is no denying that we all have innate desire to ease suffering of others, but when it’s done without right understanding it may lead to a higher ...
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4 votes
3 answers
2k views

Feeding meat to pets is it a good karma or bad?

I switched my diet to complete vegetarian diet just out of compassion towards animals. However I am confused about feeding meat to my pet dogs. Feeding meat to one animal will directly or indirectly ...
Saurabh Padwekar's user avatar
12 votes
6 answers
1k views

Meditation, compassion: How to handle people who dominate you in the office?

I have been doing meditation for long time and have felt a change in me. I have started developing strong compassion, and due to this I am speaking very politely to everyone and always agreeing with ...
buddha's user avatar
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2 votes
8 answers
520 views

Even if those offended are just ignorant about the word "Hinayana", why use it?

Why use a word thought by some to be offensive even if the meaning isn't meant to be offensive? There is no other word that can be used? Would using another word (or phrase) be compassionate towards ...
Lowbrow's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
206 views

Why is nirvana not mara?

The term "non-duality" oft appears in Buddhist English language literature, both contemporary and in translation. e.g. it is sometimes claimed to be the cornerstone of Yogacara philosophy, and its ...
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1 vote
7 answers
433 views

What happens when your tank is empty, and you’ve got nothing left to give?

Today I happen to read the article “Charitable giving by country: who is the most generous?” Then this question came up. When it comes to generosity, sometimes people look at what they’ve got and ...
Saptha Visuddhi's user avatar
4 votes
5 answers
300 views

The fear of committing to a monastic lifestyle

I have a persistent fear of going without food that prevents me from giving monasticism a full shot. Some background: I suffered for approximately 4 years with something called cyclic vomiting ...
user8312's user avatar
6 votes
7 answers
635 views

How to develop compassion while avoiding attachment?

The Buddha stressed compassion in his teachings. It seems that the more one tries to be compassionate towards people, a natural tendency of attachment develops. For example, it seems that if I try to ...
user3547's user avatar
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0 votes
3 answers
217 views

Did the Buddha ever teach that we have a special responsibility to those we have injured?

I posted the identikit question to Christianity stackexchange, and was met with dumb silence. Which, really, I was shocked by. E.g. the parable of the good samaratin: Jesus answered, "A certain ...
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4 votes
4 answers
2k views

What are metta and karuna?

I'm wondering what these terms, mettā and karuṇā (loving-kindness and compassion), mean. Are there suttas in which they're defined, otherwise where do the definitions come from? Is there any ...
ChrisW's user avatar
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6 votes
3 answers
243 views

Wisdom in practice

My day time job is with a Drug Helpline. This is an anonymous phone, chat and online Q/A service for drug and alcohol users and their relatives, friends, families and anyone with questions. This job ...
Mr. Concept's user avatar
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2 votes
3 answers
307 views

Cultivate wisdom or work on compassion?

People are different and have different skills and personalities. My partner is for example very good at visualization, she is very patient and also a fabulous cook! But she’s also a bit lazy (her ...
Mr. Concept's user avatar
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3 votes
2 answers
354 views

Compassion for all sentient beings

In the Tibetan tradition, and as far as I understand, the Mahayana in general, there’s a lot of emphasis on compassion for all sentient beings. Compassion for all sentient beings sounds great. But I ...
Mr. Concept's user avatar
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6 votes
9 answers
2k views

What is Karuṇā? Is 'compassion' really a good translation?

Is compassion really a good translation for Karuna? I've been fooled by "patience" before, now I'm sort of suspicious of the other common translations for the paramitas. Does karuna in addition to ...
MatthewMartin's user avatar
9 votes
8 answers
2k views

Should I always put another person's interest before mine?

I try to become a kinder person. Sometimes I feel bad ( guilty) after not doing a service for someone, even if it's not in my benefit to do that thing. How can I understand when it's kindness toward ...
Anca's user avatar
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5 votes
4 answers
458 views

What are the Buddhist teachings on how best to live a married life?

Does Buddhism describe how best to live a married life? Please provide some short excerpts. Thank you.
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3 votes
3 answers
319 views

Trust and Compassion

How can I trust someone who lies, manipulates and hurts people? I know a person who manipulates people and I know I can not trust him but recently, the mother of that person has health problems, and ...
user5689's user avatar
10 votes
2 answers
6k views

What is the difference between 'compassion' and 'pity'?

This page of Dhamma Lists includes, Four Brahma-viharas (Highest Attitudes/Emotions) Heavenly or sublime abodes (best home). Near enemy is a quality that can masquerade as the original, but is ...
ChrisW's user avatar
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