Friday, January 14, 2011

Discourse of Buddha (4)

Buddha on Compassion

"The Dew of Compassion is a tear"

Buddha says:
I look for no recompense-not even to be reborn in heaven-but I seek the welfare of men to bring back those that have gone astray, to enlighten those that live in the night of error, to banish all pain and all suffering from the world.
Not for the sake of my own well-being I practice universal benevolence; but I love benevolence, because it is my desire to contribute to the happiness of living beings.
Whatsoever may be the cause of your suffering, do not wound another.
Whoso hurts and harms living creatures, destitute of sympathy for any living thing, let him be known as an outcast.
Goodwill toward all beings is the true religion; cherish in your heart boundless goodwill to all that lives.
The distinctive signs of true religion are goodwill, love, truthfulness, purity, nobility of feeling and kindness.
All beings long for happiness; therefore extend your compassion to all.
Hatreds never cease by hatred. By love alone they cease. This is an ancient law.
Forbearing patience is the highest asceticism. Nirvana is supreme-say the Buddhas. For he is not a recluse who harms another, nor is he an ascetic who molests others.
By inflicting pain on others, he who wishes his own happiness is not released from hatred, being himself entangled in the tangles of hatred.
As a mother, even at the risk of her life, protects her son, her only son; so let him who has recognized the truth, cultivate goodwill among all beings without measure.
The charitable man is loved by all; his friendship is prized highly; in death his heart is at rest and full of joy, for he does not suffer from repentance; he receives the opening flower of his reward and the fruit that ripens from it.
Hard it is to understand: By giving away our food, we get more strength; by bestowing clothing on others, we gain more beauty; by founding abodes of purity and truth, we acquire great treasures.
Just as the vigorous warrior goes to battle, so is the man who is able to give. Loving and compassionate, he gives with reverence and banishes all hatred, envy and anger.
The charitable man has found the path of liberation. He is like the man who plants a sapling securing thereby the shade, the flowers and the fruits in future years. Even so is the result of charity, even so the joy of him who helps those that are in need of assistance; even so is the great nirvana.
The immortal can be reached only by    continuous acts of kindness; and perfection is accomplished by compassion and charity.
That which is most needed is a loving heart.
“For those who may not find happiness to exercise religious faith, it's okay to remain a radical atheist, it's absolutely an individual right, but the important thing is with a compassionate heart- then no problem.” (Dalai Lama)

No comments: