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Aggacitta: Compassion naturally arises when we and karma). Compassion isn’t only concerned with the
experientially understand that we are ever-evolving “ouch” kind of physical and mental suffering we easily
products of changing causes and conditions. The more understand, but includes subtle levels of dissatisfaction
we recognize this in different aspects of our lives, the and suffering such as being controlled by karma and
clearer it becomes that all beings share this same reality. afflictions. Through meditation, transform our mind
While we are all shaped by these factors, our past into the mental attitude of compassion, first cultivating
conditioning makes us unique. compassion for ourselves, our loved ones, then people
we feel neutral towards, and finally towards enemies,
When this initially introspective understanding is and all sentient beings. Our compassionate attitude
extended to all beings, we naturally develop empathy, motivates compassionate actions.
sympathy, and compassion. Why? Because there is no
one to blame—many past conditions are beyond an We are all intimately familiar with love and compassion,
individual’s control. having received them from others after our birth. We
all possess the seeds of love and compassion in our
While compassion can arise internally, its outward mindstream; they don’t need to be newly generated.
expression, whether through kind acts or material However we can intentionally enhance these seeds
support, depends on one’s resources and inclinations. limitlessly, cultivating great love and compassion like
that of a bodhisattva toward all sentient beings—
Min Wei: In Mahāyāna Buddhism, compassion is the friends, enemies, and strangers alike.
heartfelt wish for all beings to be free from suffering
and its causes. It is a fundamental quality cultivated 3. How do emptiness and compassion support
on the bodhisattva path, expressed through selfless each other in the awakening of our mind?
actions, loving-kindness, and the desire to help others
achieve enlightenment. Compassion is both an innate Aggacitta: Emptiness is the realization that all
potential and a quality to be developed. While all beings conditioned phenomena lack independent existence.
have the seed of compassion, it requires nurturing In other words, all beings are interconnected in an
through practices like mindfulness, meditation on intricate web of causes and conditions, whether they
loving-kindness, and the bodhisattva vows to save realize it or not.
all beings. Compassion is inseparable from wisdom,
as understanding emptiness—the lack of inherent Those who understand this naturally develop
existence—deepens empathy by revealing the compassion, as they see that while everyone is in
interconnectedness of all life. Thus, compassion is both the same boat, most are unaware of it and continue
a natural capacity and a skill to be perfected for the creating the causes and conditions for further suffering.
benefit of all. This compassion matures into equanimity upon
realizing that each individual is at a different stage of
Tsepal: Similar to the Pali tradition, compassion spiritual growth and may not yet be ready for the same
(karuṇā) is one of the four immeasurables realization. This deepens the process of awakening.
(brahmavihāras), and an object for cultivating the
dhyanas. Compassion is also an indispensable cause Min Wei: In Mahāyāna Buddhism, emptiness and
for developing and strengthening bodhicitta—the compassion are inseparable and mutually reinforcing
Mahayana aspiration to attain full awakening for the on the path to awakening. Emptiness reveals that
welfare of all living beings. all phenomena, including the self, are devoid of
intrinsic existence, freeing the mind from attachment
Compassion is a sensitivity to duhkha (suffering and and delusions. This wisdom dissolves ego-centered
dissatisfaction), and the wish to alleviate it, wishing for perspectives, allowing for unconditional compassion
all beings to be free of duhkha and its causes [afflictions to arise naturally. At the same time, compassion