Compassion.
 

Is there a downside to feeling compassion for all sentient beings?

Shinran (1173-1262) made clear in Kyogyoshinso that the motive for seeking rebirth in the Pure Land is the desire to help other sentient beings achieve it (bodhicitta).

The purpose of the Pure Land teaching is for devotees to escape the cycle of rebirth within one lifetime. Once this is achieved, it then becomes one's duty to take part in the rescue of other sentient beings (whatever that phrase means) and help them join oneself in the Pure Land.

Therefore the single aim is to empty the hells (of which this planet is one). Distractions such as questions about downsides ought not to occur along the path of practice.

There is and it is called “Idiot Compassion”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4il0V50UDk

https://enlightenmentward.wordpress....ot-compassion/

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Interesting article Sentient but I wouldn't have used the word 'Idiot' lol, thank you.

" Distractions such as questions about downsides ought not to occur along the path of practice "

We can agree to differ on this.... Buddha taught to question everything.

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Compassion is the second of the Four Sublime States taught by the Buddha. (Loving Kindness, Compassion, Sympathetic Joy, and Equanimity.)



May all sentient beings have peace and happiness _/|\_

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Downside to Compassion?
 

Unfortunately there are various kinds of Buddhism and not all Buddhist paths run parallel.

All this reflection, questioning and meditation on compassion binds a person to the Earth.

We are all riddled with sin, cannot perform any act without considering first whether it benefits ourselves, our family, our country, our political party, our team, our bank balance: we are self-centred and evil by our very nature. A bleeding heart cannot lead to Buddhahood, nor is Buddhahood attained by merit or good deeds.

When Faith arises, the Buddha-nature arises, and one is instantly reassured of rebirth in the Pure Land. That is the personal battlefield, not understanding how terrible life is for thousands of millions of other people.

Namo Kuan Shih Yin Pusa.

' We are all riddled with sin, cannot perform any act without considering first whether it benefits ourselves, our family, our country, our political party, our team, our bank balance: we are self-centred and evil by our very nature.'



I don't see that everyone is riddle with sin, that's is a very negative view in my opinion, and I personally can perform act's without considering if it benefits myself, mybe you see that we are all self-centred and evil by nature but I see exactly the opposite. I see the good in humanity.

SKY 123

Could you provide as requested earlier, your interpretation of the Buddha's expression "sentient beings"? Is there, perhaps, some reason why it has to remain uncertain?

As I understand purgatory, it is a place to where everybody goes initially between incarnations. There, in the pure light of perfect action, we are obliged to review our acts of commission and omission in the life just finished.

Who can honestly claim to have never committed any single act sufficiently tinged with sin or evil that it causes one suffering and regret just to remember it?

Those of humankind who remain unenlightened but have faith in salvation held out by a Redemptrix such as the Virgin Mary or Kuan Yin are received into the Pure Land (doctrine of Avelokitesvara). This is the primary task beset us. There is no doubt much "good in humanity" but I prefer to concentrate on escaping from humanity first as ordered.

' Sentient beings are composed of the five aggregates, or skandhas: matter, sensation, perception, mental formations and consciousness. ... '


' but I prefer to concentrate on escaping from humanity first [i][b]as ordered '

Who ordered you?