Page 45 - Martial Science August #22-2017

Teachings

ofthe

Budha

The Two Distinctive

Characteristics of

Buddhism -Part 3

[Recorded by Yin Hai] (Translated by Tan
Beng Tiong, edited by Ke Rong, proofread
by Shi Neng Rong. (5-10-96)

The Union of Compassion and Wisdom

A common saying in Buddhism, “to develop and
practise both compassion and wisdom,” indicates
that compassion and wisdom are inseparable and
integral elements of the path of Buddha Dharma.
The contents and functions of ‘loving kindness and
compassion’ are similar to those of ‘benevolence’
in Chinese thought, and of ‘love’ in Western phi-
losophy. However, loving kindness and compassion
do not entirely and exclusively consist of sympathy
and caring. They must also move in parallel with
the Truth. Therefore, boundless compassion cannot
be accomplished without wisdom. Moralities origi-
nate from loving kindness and compassion and they
cannot be established without these two elements.
Their presence constitutes the main criterion for
moral evaluation. Whether or not an action is truly
ethical depends on whether there are elements of
loving kindness and compassion present amongst
the actor’s motives.

Compassion is having sympathy for someone. For
example, when we know that someone is facing dif-
ficulties, the feelings of care and concern for them

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