Compassion and Wisdom

There are two qualities the Buddha taught to realize Enlightenment: Prajña (Wisdom) and Karunã (Compassion). In a general sense, the two seem completely different and have nothing to do with each other; one being intellectual and the other being emotional. But in Buddhism both are needed to work together and understand each other. You need wisdom to cultivate compassion, and compassion to cultivate wisdom.

Ideally in Buddhist practice, one practices selflessness to help alleviate suffering wherever we may see it. Sometimes it might seem impossible to do so, but it’s important to at least try. Compassion is more than just being a nice person. Some people try to be nice because they expect something in return, but that’s not very wise is it? If you have that mentality of gaining something or receiving something for being nice, then it’s not compassion and you are not wise. To be compassionate is to rid the idea of “me” and “self.” True compassion does not expect anything in return, not even a ‘thank you.’

His Holiness the Dalai Lama wrote in The Essence of the Heart Sutra: “According to Buddhism, compassion is an aspiration, a state of mind, wanting others to be free from suffering. It’s not passive — it’s not empathy alone — but rather an empathetic altruism that actively strives to free others from suffering. Genuine compassion must have both wisdom and loving-kindness. That is to say, one must understand the nature of the suffering from which we wish to free others (this is wisdom), and one must experience deep intimacy and empathy with other sentient beings (this is lovingkindness).”

Compassion takes practice. It’s not something you can develop overnight. If you’re a person that expects a reply when you say ‘hello’ or ‘thank you,’ then you’re going to cause yourself suffering because you’re being attached to the expectations and rewards of giving and receiving. Your goal is to be selfless. To act in a selfless way to help others – to help others before even thinking about it is true compassion. The thought “I want to help them” should always arise and be present. If you’re thinking “I should help them,” then you’re on your way to great compassion.

Compassion and wisdom can be cultivated and developed with meditation. It’s also importan that we understand our own suffering in order to help with others’ suffering. This isn’t being selfish. We usually see altruism, concern for others before oneself, as being the opposite of selfishness, concern for oneself before others. Buddhism does not see it as either one or the other but rather as a blending of the two. Genuine self-concern will gradually mature into concern for others as one sees that others are really the same as oneself. This is genuine compassion.

Always try to be compassionate. Stress compassion to others that you see are not being compassionate. Compassion not only helps others, but it also helps you. It’ll give you joy and understanding that you helped relieve some suffering from others, and that you’re one step closer to Enlightenment. Mediate on what it means to be compassionate. Rid the ideas that you feel you need to get anything in return or any rewards for being compassionate.

A kind of meditation to develop compassion is called Tonglen. It is a meditation practice practiced in Tibetan Buddhism. The basic practice of this meditation is to take in the suffering of others and of the world on the ‘in breath’ and exhaling peace and joy on the ‘out breath.’ A short pause in between the in and out breath to “convert” that suffering into joy and happiness is sometimes practiced. This, however, doesn’t mean to burden yourself with the misery of the world, but simply to acknowledge and be aware that there is suffering in the world. This helps bring peace of mind and help you realize that everyone is suffering and that everyone deserves compassion to help ease their suffering.

Smile and be well!