I like Buddhism, but all of this lovie-dovie stuff about compassion kinda gets me. Yes, I understand that I have to let go of hatred and anger, but does that mean that I now have to love the people I despise? I could do whats smart and not warn them about their karmic consequences. Then I can rest assure that mother nature will make life misurable for them. Can this work in Buddhism?
2007-01-16 22:26:59 · 9 answers · asked by ? 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Showing compassion is not pre-requisite to attain Nirvana...
One can experience Nirvana, even by becoming totally detached... no love no hatered
2007-01-16 22:49:49 · answer #1 · answered by ۞Aum۞ 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Nirvana is not a thing to achieve but to experience. To experience Nirvana compassion is must. Compassion is one of the key characteristics of enlightened one. Hence, compassion is incidental on your way of experiencing Nirvana. As a believer in Buddhism, you will have to try to purify yourself and when you are pure, there is no place for hatred for anyone in you.
2007-01-17 06:39:01 · answer #2 · answered by Tashi 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Nirvana is not enlightenment. Seek enlightenment not nirvana. The Buddha refused nirvana, and so should you. However, in theory, I don't believe one can reach nirvana without compassion. One of the stages to be completed on the path to nirvana is the emotional and intellectual understanding that All is one. At this level, you identify with and even come to 'love your enemies'. You must come to understand the unity that exists.
2007-01-17 07:02:42 · answer #3 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Hello.. :)
I am not Buddhist..but I have many acquaintance's, who are.. :)
To become a Buddhist, yes you have to let go of hatred and anger..for is that not what true compassion is.. :)
Compassion:
1. a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.
1. commiseration, mercy, tenderness, heart, clemency. See sympathy.
1. a deep awareness of and sympathy for another's suffering
2. the humane quality of understanding the suffering of others and wanting to do something about it.
The above is from Dictionary.com..
In Jesus Most Precious Name..
With Love..In Christ.. :)
2007-01-17 06:37:48 · answer #4 · answered by EyeLovesJesus 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Compassion is the essence of all religions. No man can obtain any good things without selfless love.
2007-01-17 06:43:40 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
no. you can't reach nirvana without compassion.
you don't have to be all "lovey-dovey", but you do have to let go of your hate. isn't that true for any religion?
i dislike a lot of things that people do, but i don't hate anyone. you don't have to warn them of their karmic fate (they probably wouldn't listen anyway). stay away from the people you don't like and try to forgive them for whatever it is they did.
2007-01-17 06:46:33 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
According to me Attaining NIRVANA is being peace with yourself its a personal matter and related to you and yourself.
But to attain that stage of being peace with yourself you need to let go hatred though it doesn't mean that you need to start loving each and everybody you can just ignore them ;)
2007-01-17 06:37:26 · answer #7 · answered by Sisodia 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I would encourage you to set aside the hatred and anger until your practice is stronger.
2007-01-17 10:14:27 · answer #8 · answered by TomParrish 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
kinda sounds like you arent really into the religion..perhaps a passing phase for you?
2007-01-17 06:33:41 · answer #9 · answered by evades83 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋