I Realise That I'm Not Compassionate Enough

Dawnfirstlight SG

It is easier to be compassionate to someone who is kind and helpless than to someone who is evil, arrogant or have done you wrong. I realise that I'm not compassionate enough when I can't show the same compassion to people who are evil, arrogant or have done me wrong.

Rooney9 SG

me too.

Beautiful951 SG

This is an essay on how to develop the bodhi mind.

http://www.ymba.org/BWF/bwf22.htm

Also I have heard you can think of evil people being deluded and are sure to fall among the evil paths. You can feel compassion and wish that they may be reborn in happy realms.

From the link above, there is a page about the 8 sufferings. You may like to have a look.

Dawnfirstlight SG

This is an essay on how to develop the bodhi mind.

http://www.ymba.org/BWF/bwf22.htm

Also I have heard you can think of evil people being deluded and are sure to fall among the evil paths. You can feel compassion and wish that they may be reborn in happy realms.

From the link above, there is a page about the 8 sufferings. You may like to have a look.

Thanks for sharing.

Rooney9 SG

it takes eons to practise compassion, thats how the Buddha practised his perfections.if this life you can practise and without breaking 5 precepts, it is very good le.

realization SG

This is an essay on how to develop the bodhi mind.

http://www.ymba.org/BWF/bwf22.htm

Also I have heard you can think of evil people being deluded and are sure to fall among the evil paths. You can feel compassion and wish that they may be reborn in happy realms.

From the link above, there is a page about the 8 sufferings. You may like to have a look.

In terms of method, the progressive stages of Metta meditation are good for inculcating Compassion.

First, direct loving-kindness to oneself, then to those whom we care for, extend it to people we are neutral to, and finally to those to whom we bear grievances or who are "less lovable".

- A simple, clear set of instructions on Metta practice.
http://info.med.yale.edu/psych/3s/metta.html

- Buddhanet's more comprehensive instruction
http://www.buddhanet.net/metta.htm

phankao627 SG

I think I’m compassionate but not enough when i encounter people whom I have negative feelings of.

I try metta meditation but I find it very difficult to direct metta. I just can’t feel it. I can mentally say may all beings be well and happy but those are just from my mind. I just know deep down inside, I don’t feel it.

Any advice? I heard metta meditation seem east but to really feel the compassion is very very difficult.

Thanks!

BanguIzai SG

me too.

me too

Rooney9 SG

I think letting go is also equally important, like the harm your enemies did to you in the past. if you never let go of the past, how to even love your enemies and wish him happy? letting go and compassionate and wisdom go hand in hand. it is the realisation that enmity breeds enmity, that hatred cannot be solved thru hatred, that you began go let go.

phankao627 SG

Letting go is also something easier said then done. I think I have wisdom because I can understand and appreciate all the good practices and advice but I find that understanding and knowing is useless if you can’t practice. I end up frustrated with myself, perhaps it is not wisdom after all. I always think that in life you can know the right thing to do but doing it is the hardest. dIscipline and determination is every things. Is there any Buddhist practice that can help us in terms of determination and discipline?

realization SG

I think I’m compassionate but not enough when i encounter people whom I have negative feelings of.

Any advice? I heard metta meditation seem east but to really feel the compassion is very very difficult.

Thanks!

Start of with directing metta to yourself. It shouldn't be too hard to send good wishes to yourself and those whom you care for. Slowly, bit by bit as the weeks and months go by, extend that compassion to even those who hurt you.

Rooney9 SG

anyway it takes aeons to practise metta. even the Buddha, he spent aeons practising this perfection. he even hold no enmity to those who chopped off his limbs and legs and wish the person well and happy.

2009novice SG

dawn.. don be too hard on yourself...

anyway compassion goes hand in hand with wisdom

u also need to accumulate wisdom at the same time :)

Dawnfirstlight SG

dawn.. don be too hard on yourself...

anyway compassion goes hand in hand with wisdom

u also need to accumulate wisdom at the same time :)

Thanks Novice. You are correct, one needs to have wisdom or it is difficult to have compassion for all. Buddhas and Boddhisattva have the wisdom, that is why they can do it.

likeyou SG

Can someone advise me.

Everyday, there is this old lady standing beside the office selling tissues. I did give her $2 for 1 tissue. But everyday she was there standing...but I only give her $2 maybe once 1 or 2 weeks. How to put it....people will not give her money everyday right?

"newbie" SG

Can someone advise me.

with my limited knowledge, it depends on your motivation. Your motivation is you wants to help her finacially. But the problem is you cant possibly give her money everyday.

So now compassion had taken place, that why now is wisdom. If the motivation is strong, maybe can research does this lady actually really needs the money. Presuming she really do, it will better to research what type of help is available eg welfare centre, mcys etc and help her in getting these grants and getting the right person to help care and monitor her... in this case in not the $2 but you will be actually giving much much more then the daily $2.

dude_09 SG

一饮一啄，莫非前定。 if someone is nasty to you, it is probably you did so to the same person previously.

行有不得，皆己之德未修，感未至也，吾悉以自反。 when things don't go well, it is always my fault, therefore I should reflect on myself.

心外无法 to practice Buddhism, always look within yourself, not outside

若真修道人，不见世间过。 a Buddhist's main concern is to attain enlightenment, is to relief others of suffering - he wouldn't have time or energy for other things.

likeyou SG

with my limited knowledge, it depends on your motivation. Your motivation is you wants to help her finacially. But the problem is you cant possibly give her money everyday.

Thanks ya.

likeyou SG

Everyday, I am trying and still trying to be compassionate....when something bad happens or words by the mouths say this and that, that triggered your anger....those kind of things do happen almost daily at work....