compassion causes suffering

questionful

The Teaching of Buddha wrote:

The Four Unlimited States of Mind
There are Four Unlimited States of Mind that the seeker of Enlightenment should cherish:
<center><table border="0" cellpadding="7" cellspacing="0" width="192"> <tbody><tr><td valign="top">

• Compassion
• Tenderness
• Gladness
• Equanimity

</td> </tr> </tbody></table></center> These are explained thusly:

• One can remove greed by cherishing compassion.
• One can remove anger by tenderness.
• One can remove suffering by gladness.
• One can remove the habit of discrimination of enemies and friends by cherishing an equitable mind.

not only does this say to cherish things, but also i have a question about compassion.

others will cherish receiving compassion. this will cause them suffering, as receiving compassion is impermanent. so knowing that compassion indirectly causes suffering in most people, why be compassionate?

Valtiel

this will cause them suffering, as receiving compassion is impermanent.

Impermanence isn't suffering.

not only does this say to cherish things,

Cherishing =/= attachment/clinging/craving.

so knowing that compassion indirectly causes suffering in most people, why be compassionate?

What does compassion (karuna) mean to you? I would suggest studying the meaning of this word more and understanding it within the context of the other teachings, too.

Edit - I just realized you must have read the thing you quoted as meaning that we should cherish (form an attachment to/cling to) compassion. Compassion (karuna) in Buddhism is a... mental quality you develop, and one you should cherish.

And are you really asking either a) "why not just spit on them instead?" or b) "why do anything? why not just curl up in a ball and wither away?"? If so, instead of asking others, think this all through a little more. Just a little.

charles

As I understand it, compassion is the quality of concern for others, whether they are suffering or not. I do not think compassion will cause suffering, as it, if it is purely done, flows out of the individual, it is a giving, not a craving. However it can backfire, the act of compassion can become so strong, that craving to give compassion is there. All religions that I know of, have some sort of teaching on the need to display compassion. I don't know if this fits the thread, but I read a story once, two monks were walking together down a road, and came to a river, which was strong and overflowing. Upon the bank was a poor old woman, who could not cross the river. Having approached the banks, the two monks started to cross, one looked back and went back to the old woman and carried her on his back accross the river. After crossing the river the monkset her down, and the two continued on there journey. About a mile later, the one monk was so angry with his fellow that he couldn't een speak. The one who carried her asked, why are you angry? The other said, because you touched a woman. The first said, are you still carrying her, I left her at the bank.
Compassion is a hinderance, if it becomes the object.

federica

Thus have I heard:
Compassion is one wing of the bird, and Wisdom is the other. If there is a broken wing, the bird cannot fly, and idiot Compassion is extant.
You cannot have Compassion without Wisdom.

not1not2

The basic understanding I have is that compassion is the desire to be free of suffering. This can be directed at anyone. Loving-kindness is more of a positive desire for beings to achieve well-being. So, compassion simply requires us to hold the attitude/intention that all beings should be free of suffering.

Equanimity also comes into play here as developing metta (loving-kindness) and karuna (compassion) towards all beings helps us to be less disturbed by unwholesome individuals and actually turn negative mind-states associated with those people into positive mind-states. Also, developing equanimity through practice makes it easier to achieve these states. And when you really develop some genuine bodhicitta and loving-kindness, the mind-state is greatly conducive to practice and insight.

Soooo, while you could say that compassion requires a greater awareness of dukkha/suffering/unsatisfactory-ness, the actual state of mind developed is a boon to practice and one's quality of experience. At least that's been my experience with this.

sukhita

......i have a question about compassion.

others will cherish receiving compassion. this will cause them suffering, as receiving compassion is impermanent. so knowing that compassion indirectly causes suffering in most people, why be compassionate?

Having compassion is the primary wish that others be free from suffering. This compassion arises when we feel the natural urge to help someone who is experiencing suffering. Not practicing compassion is like supressing any feelings to help others... almost like an anti-social behaviour. However, in practicing compassion, one should constantly be guarded against emotional attachment and selfishness.

If compassion is not practiced, both parties will be the poorer for it. Someone appreciating our compassion is not a big deal. And compassion is not only about handing over goodies for others to cherish... it's much greater than that.

All this is just my opinion...