K, your remark puts you on the same footing as JMJM who says chan is the universe. ED, he also says things to no avail, but we can all benefit from that. I like the kindhearted JM. Anthony
________________________________ From: ED <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, 13 June 2012, 23:00 Subject: [Zen] Re: The Self Illusion K, and that is why all this talk about compassion, idiot or otherwise is to no avail? --ED --- In [email protected], Kristopher Grey <kris@...> wrote: > > There is nothing "in" Zen, nothing that is not an an aspect of Zen. > K > > Bill, > > Is there such a thing in zen called 'compassion', as is there a > > quality called 'hungry', or as from other categories you name it? > > Anthony > > ED, > > > > 'Compassion' is a label a 3rd party places on someone else's actions. > > 'Compassion' as has been discussed in this thread is not something you > > 'do', its who/what you are. If you're dividing things up into > > dualistic sets such as compassionate/not compassionate then you've > > already missed the mark. > > > > 'Compassion' is not something you need to think about, much less > > strive to cultivate - any more than you have to strive to be hungry. > > > > ...Bill! > > > Hi Bill and All - > > > > > > Three definitions of compassion from the Internet are: > > > > > > "Sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of > > > others." > > > > > > "A deep awareness of and sympathy for another's suffering. > > > > > > "The humane quality of understanding the suffering of others and wanting > > > to do something about it" > > > > > > What would a typical Buddhist or zen definition of compassion be? > > > > > > --ED > > > > Sheng Yen was a great monk. His word about compassion brings the > > > question of the results of zen practice. Does it bring about inhuman > > > characteristics of no compassion? He also said, 'sit down and shut up'. > > > But that does not rule out the ensuing compassion. > > > > > > > > Anthony
