Two very human qualities
that are highly regarded in Buddhism are compassion (karuna) and loving
kindness (metta).
Compassion is about recognizing the suffering
of others and wishing for that suffering to be alleviated. This suffering can be
seen in individuals who we associate with on a daily basis and on a global
level. We feel compassion for associates, friends and relatives who are going
through a particularly hard time. We identify with their suffering, imagine what
they are going through and hope that this suffering will come to an end. We also
see the world as it comes through our newspapers, radios and television screens,
appalled by the tremendous suffering that is out there resulting from famines,
natural disasters, terrorism, war and so on.
The Buddha, shortly after his enlightenment
experience, decided to share his teachings with the world, even though he
thought that what he had discovered might be too difficult for anyone to
understand.
He knew that beings were
trapped in the cycle of birth and death (samsara) and the suffering that
comes with that. The Buddha's teachings, therefore, have their source in the his
feeling of compassion. It is easy to see from this why compassion is so highly
regarded in Buddhism and is something we are encouraged to develop.
Loving kindness is also a prominent feature of
the Buddhist way of life. Extending good will, care and consideration to all
beings is something to be developed. Such good will has its immediate expression
when it is directed towards friends and relatives. Buddhism goes much further
than this, however. Loving kindness is something that should be extend to all
beings, without exception. This would include people who we may consider
'neutral' but also those who do us harm. This aspect of Buddhism is very
challenging as it is often quite natural for us to dislike or feel angry towards
those that do us harm. There is no doubt that loving kindness is something that
we have to work on continually.
Loving kindness meditation is one way to
develop this quality more extensively. The method is simple and when applied
consistently is also very effective. First one generates feelings of loving
kindness to oneself; then to a friend or relative; next to a neutral person and
then finally to someone you feel angry towards. In this way feelings of
hostility are washed away and the destructive energy that has been directed
towards the person in mind can be be redirected down more positive channels.
Compassion and loving kindness complement each other. They are antidotes to selfish desire, hatred and cruelty. The aim in Buddhism is to have these two qualities underpinning all our thoughts and actions. It is in this way that we develop a proper attitude to others and the world around us.