Message of Compassion

to the people who are in sorrow and sufferings

in the world

The meanings of Compassion, Karuņā in pāli, were thoroughly defined in Buddhist Abhidhamma texts. One concept clarified that "Dukkhābhibhūtānam anāthabhāvadassana padatthānā", meaning being close to monitoring the lives of helpless and miserable beings. It means a careful consideration for the suffering of people, regardless of colours, race and faiths.

The Abhidhamma also defined the term "Compassion" as "Paradukkham kiņāti hinsati vināseti", which means a Noble Spirit how to remove other's suffering.

Compassion can be developed in two ways: the first being mental compassion, which is the feeling of sympathy for other's suffering and enthusiasm for removing their suffering, whereas the second being the dispatch of verbal compassion to those in suffering. At present, about 500,000 Theravāda Buddhist monks in Myanmar are extending their compassion, verbally and mentally, to all humans in physical and mental sufferings.

1. (Dukkhapattā ca niddukkhā, hontu sabbepi pāņino)

May all beings in suffering be free from suffering.

2. (Bhayapattā ca nibbhayā, hontu sabbepi pāņino)

May all beings in danger be free from danger.

3. (Sokapattā ca nissokā, hontu sabbepi pāņino)

May all beings in sorrow be free from sorrow.

Our compassion is not confined to Buddhists only: it is aimed for all beings, regardless of faiths. It is likened to the rain which makes all things and people wet where it pours down. It is not, in fact, for religious faith, but just a practice. It is a common way to remove universal suffering. The common enemy must be fought against with the common way. The compassion goes beyond the religious boundary. A person who professes in a certain faith may find it difficult to follow the teachings of another faith. However, compassion is universal spirit or practice and can be generated in any faiths, for which it is needless to convert his or her faith. Every religious leader preached the concept of compassion to their followers. Surprisingly, members of every faith are seen today performing volunteering acts of compassion. Therefore, compassion or sympathy is noble spirit and is a common highway for all of us to walk on together in removing the suffering and sorrow of human beings.

Moreover, compassion is also a common ground on which all the global citizens can coexist peacefully, while taking heed to help each other to remove the suffering caused by natural disasters or pandemic diseases.

Before and during the lifetime of the Buddha, people from Magadha State and Vajjī State were staging wars for many times. While the Buddha was residing in Rājagaha city of Magadha, Vajjī state was afflicted by famine due to a severe drought, leading to the outbreak of a serious disease. It was caused by poisonous air, called Ahivāta in Pāli, circulating in the atmosphere. It seemed to be more severe than the Corona virus of today. People died from inhaling the air and that they had to cover their noses, just to prevent the disease. Evil spirits like ogres and demons then intruded into the city and the chieftains of Vajjī State failed to stop them. Finally, they had to approach the enemy king of Magadha to invite the Buddha to their city. They realized to face against the pandemic by declaring ceasefire as it was a common enemy. The two states consolidated for moral support of solidarity in eradicating the disease. The unity led to the visit of Buddha to the Vajjī State.

Thanks to the great compassion of the Buddha and his 500 disciples, the disease became totally under control. No more poison was in the atmosphere. People could breathe in the fresh air, followed by torrential rain which cleaned the whole city.

May our compassionate spirit totally remove all suffering and sorrow of the people of the whole world.

May all beings be liberated from all sorrow and suffering.

May all beings be blissful and peaceful like a full moon.

Sitagu Sayadaw

Dr. Ashin Nyanissara (Ph.D, D.Litt)

Abhidhajamaharatthaguru, Abhidhajaaggamahasaddhamajotika

Sitagu International Missionary Association (SIMA)

Myanmar