Show Compassion
Showing compassion involves recognizing and being moved by the suffering of others. It is the desire to support and assist others. Engage with us to know more about what we do.
Compassion Makes One a Better Human
Once Buddha was in an assembly when a man walked in looking furious. He thought Buddha was doing something wrong. He was a restless businessman and he had found that his children were spending hours with Buddha when they could have engaged themselves in business at that time, making more and more money. He felt that spending four hours of their day seated next to someone whose eyes were always closed was incredulous. This was what had upset the businessman.
So, with furiousness walked straight up to Buddha looked him the eye and spat. He was so angry, he could not find the words to exprss them that he merely spat at Budha. Buddha simply smiled. He showed no anger, though the disciples around him were angry. They would have liked to react but could not because Buddha was there. So, everybody was holding their lips and fists tight. After the businessman spat at Buddha and realised his action was not drawing a reaction, simply walked away in a huff.
Buddha did not react or say anything. He just smiled. And that was enough to shock the angry man. For the first time in his life, the man had met someone who would just smile when he spat on his face. That man could not sleep all night and his whole body underwent such a transformation. He was shivering, shaking. He felt as if the whole world had turned upside down. The next day he went and fell at Buddhas feet and said, “Please forgive me. I did not know what I did. To which Buddha replied, I cannot excuse you!
Everyone including the man and Buddhas disciples were flabbergasted. Buddha then explained the reason for his statement. He said, Why should I forgive you when you have done nothing wrong.
The businessman looked a little more surprised and told Buddha that it was he who had wronged him by spitting on him. Buddha simply said, Oh! That person is not there now. If I ever meet that person whom you spat on, I will tell him to excuse you. To this person who is here, you have done no wrong. That is real compassion.
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MORAL OF THE STORY
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Compassion is not saying, I forgive you. Your forgiveness should be such that the person who is forgiven, does not even know that you are forgiving them. They should not even feel guilty about their mistake.
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Hermit and the Scorpion
One day a sadhu noticed a scorpion struggling in the water. Scorpions cannot swim and the sadhu knew that if he did not save the scorpion, it would drown...
One day a sadhu went to the river to bathe. There he noticed a scorpion struggling in the water. Scorpions cannot swim and the sadhu knew that if he did not save the scorpion, it would drown.
Therefore, carefully picking up the scorpion, the monk rescued it from drowning and was just about to set it down gently on land when the scorpion stung his finger. In pain, the sadhu instinctively flung his hand and the scorpion went flying, back into the river.
As soon as the sadhu regained his composure from the sting, he again lifted the scorpion out of the water. Again, before he could set the scorpion safely on land, the creature stung him. This drama went on for several minutes as the sadhu continued to try to save the life of the drowning scorpion and the scorpion continued to sting his saviour’s hand before reaching the freedom of the riverbank.
A hunter watched as the saint carefully and gingerly lifted the creature out of the water, only to fling it back in as he convulsed in pain from each fresh sting.
Finally, the hunter said to the sadhu, “Forgive me for my frankness, but it is clear that the scorpion is simply going to continue to sting you each and every time you try to carry it to safety. Why don’t you give up and just let it drown?”
The sadhu replied: “My dear child, the scorpion is not stinging me out of malice or evil intent. Just as it is the water’s nature to make me wet, so it is the scorpion’s nature to sting. He doesn’t realise that I am carrying him to safety. That is a level of conscious comprehension greater than what his brain can achieve.
But, just as it is the scorpion’s nature to sting, so it is my nature to save. Just as he is not leaving his nature, why should I leave my nature?
My dharma is to help any creature of any kind – human or animal. Why should I let a small scorpion rob me of the divine nature which I have cultivated through years of sadhana?”
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MORAL OF THE STORY
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We have to be compassionate towards all irrespective of their nature or personality.
The Wounded Swan
One day, when Gautama Buddha was a young prince named Siddhartha, he was walking in the palace gardens. Suddenly, he heard the sound of a distressed bird. Looking up, he saw a swan falling from the sky, its wings flapping weakly. Siddhartha rushed toward it and found the swan on the ground, wounded by an arrow.
Gently, he picked up the bird, cradling it in his hands. The arrow was still lodged in its wing, and blood stained its feathers. With great care, Siddhartha removed the arrow, cleaned the wound, and wrapped it in soft cloth. He stayed by the bird’s side, soothing it with his calm voice and tending to its pain.
Just then, his cousin, Prince Devadatta, appeared. Devadatta was holding a bow in his hand and looked angry. “That bird is mine,” he said. “I shot it, and it belongs to me. Hand it over.”
Siddhartha refused. “You may have shot the arrow, Devadatta, but I saved the bird’s life. It belongs to the one who protects it, not the one who tries to harm it.”
Devadatta argued, saying it was his right as the hunter to claim the swan. But Siddhartha insisted that the bird should stay with him. Unable to resolve the matter, the two princes decided to take their dispute to the court of the elders.
The Court of the Elders
In the court, the elders listened to both sides of the argument. Devadatta claimed the bird was his because he had shot it. Siddhartha, on the other hand, argued that life is precious and that the bird belonged to the one who saved it, not the one who tried to harm it.
The elders deliberated for a long time. Finally, they agreed with Siddhartha. They declared, “Life belongs to those who protect it, not to those who seek to destroy it. The swan will remain with Siddhartha, for his actions were guided by compassion.”
Devadatta left the court angrily, but Siddhartha returned to the gardens, filled with peace. He continued to care for the swan until it recovered and could fly again. When the day came for the bird to leave, Siddhartha released it with joy, watching it soar into the sky.
MORAL OF THE STORY
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Compassion Over Harm: Life is sacred, and true strength lies in protecting and nurturing others, not in causing harm.
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Kindness is Rewarded: Acts of compassion and selflessness bring inner peace and connect us to the greater good.
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Respect All Life: Every living being has the right to live and be free from harm, and it is our responsibility to protect those in need.
This story illustrates the power of compassion and the importance of standing up for what is right. It reminds us that kindness is the ultimate virtue and that our actions define the world we create. Let me know if you’d like more stories of compassion or wisdom!