Dinner and Discussion: Compassion and Emptiness

Dinner & Discussion: Compassion and Emptiness

"The hand and the other limbs are many and distinct,

But all are one - the body to be kept and guarded.

Likewise, different beings, in their jobs and sorrows,

Are, like me, all one in wanting happiness...

And therefore I'll dispel the pain of others,

For it is simply pain, just like my own.

And others I will aid and benefit,

For they are living beings, like my body.

Since I and other beings both,

In wanting happiness, are equal and alike,

What difference is there to distinguish us,

That I should strive to have my bliss alone?"

-Shantideva in “The Way of the Bodhisattva”

At first glance, the Buddhist teachings on ‘compassion’ and ‘emptiness’ seem completely unrelated. Compassion is easily seen and felt. It can be giving a hungry person food, a sick person medicine, a lonely person a hug, or a sad person a warm smile. Most of us have probably felt compassion or have been shown compassion by others. If compassion is warm and direct, then what exactly is emptiness? Teachings on emptiness are typically seen as extremely lofty, abstract philosophical methods far removed from daily life. Furthermore, from the time of the Buddha himself, people have very often misunderstood emptiness as something negative and nihilistic. Far from being opposed, however, compassion and emptiness are often taught to be inseparable:

"Subhuti, a good son or daughter who wants to give rise to the highest, most fulfilled, and awakened mind must create this resolved attitude of mind: 'I must help to lead all beings to the shore of awakening, but, after these beings have become liberated, in truth I know that not even a single being has been liberated.' Why is this so? If a disciple cherishes the idea of a self, a person, a living being or a universal self, then that person is not an authentic disciple. Why? Because in fact there is no independently existing object of mind called the highest, most fulfilled, and awakened mind."

-Chapter 17 of the Diamond Sutra References to the inseparability of compassion and the wisdom that arises from understanding emptiness abound in numerous Buddhist texts, such as the above quoted Diamond Sutra. It is also often taught that enlightened beings that have been liberated through the perfect realization of emptiness are solely motivated by compassion to teach and help others. The connection between compassion and emptiness would therefore seem quite strong.

Join us for an evening of dinner and discussion as we explore the relationship between the Buddhist teachings on compassion and emptiness. Some of our discussion points include:

-What exactly is emptiness? What is it not?

-What are some of the ways that compassion and emptiness directly relate to each other?

-How can a better understanding of emptiness improve our practice of compassion and vice versa?

-How do the teachings of emptiness and compassion fit in with other Buddhist teachings (e.g, the bodhisattva vow, the Four Immeasurable States, etc.)

Further Reading: “The Diamond Sutra”, translated by Alex Johnsonhttp://www.diamond-sutra.com/

“Emptiness: The Most Misunderstood Word in Buddhism”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lewis-richmond/emptiness-most-misunderstood-word-in-buddhism_b_2769189.html

"Chapter 3: Compassion and Emptiness", from “Universal Love” by Lama Thubten Yeshehttp://www.lamayeshe.com/index.php?sect=article&id=141&chid=1183

“Engaging in Bodhisattva Behavior” by Shantideva, translated by Alexander Berzinhttp://www.berzinarchives.com/web/x/nav/group.html_1487505749.html

-------Note: we are here to share and provide others with opportunity to speak. Also we need to be cognizant not to preach or solicit. Look forward to meeting everyone,

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Eddie, Jody, Rob