Compassion is a wish-fulfilling jewel that can alleviate all suffering. In Tibetan Buddhism, compassion is the key and central training within their religion. Enlightened Compassion is personified by the deity, Chenrezig, who holds a jewel that grants all wishes to those who possess it. That jewel is compassion. Mahayana Buddhists believe love and compassion can overcome all obstacles, awaken the mind to enlightenment and bring enormous benefit to yourself and others.
Compassion training was the first meditation that I ever practised, where I learnt that I could change my perspective to encourage empathy, equality and compassion to help overcome practically all my disturbing emotions. It sounds like a big claim but that’s exactly what training in compassion does. You have to actually give it a go to see for yourself how it works but essentially it’s impossible for anger, hatred, jealousy and selfishness to exist in the company of genuine love and compassion. In fact, it’s hard to imagine people going to war against one another if there is love and compassion present between them. Love and compassion have the potential to bring about harmony and understanding between all the people of the world.
There is a guide to living a compassionate and enlightened life from an 11th Century Tibetan Buddhist monk, Langri Thangpa, called 8 Verses for Training the Heart Mind. It’s from the Mahayana tradition, where they place a very high value in training in love and compassion; claiming it’s absolutely necessary to achieve full enlightenment.
All the suffering in the world comes from selfishness, all the happiness in the world comes from compassion. ~ Shantideva
Compassion is within us all; it is our inherent nature. Image: Baylee GramlingPractising the eight verses brings enormous benefit to yourself and others. Research has shown your own happiness is increased by practising love and compassion. In fact, love and compassion are not just good for happiness, they also have a positive impact on health as well, reducing blood pressure and boosting the immune system. But it is not always easy. It is a radical departure from our usual selfish ways of behaviour; instead the training embodies a compassionate way of being; cherishing others more than ourselves, with the goal of alleviating suffering from the entire world.
Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive. ~ Dalai Lama
Below is one of the most powerful methods for training the mind/heart to shift your perspective out of the selfish ego and into the open spaces of love and compassion.
Eight Verses For Training The Heart Mind
by Geshe Langri Thangpa
1. By thinking of all sentient beings
As more precious than a wish-fulfilling jewel
For accomplishing the highest aim,
I will always hold them dear.
2. Whenever I’m in the company of others,
I will regard myself as the lowest among all,
And from the depths of my heart
Cherish others as supreme.
3. In my every action, I will watch my mind,
And the moment destructive emotions arise,
I will confront them strongly and avert them,
Since they will hurt both me and others.
4. Whenever I see ill-natured beings,
Or those overwhelmed by heavy misdeeds or suffering,
I will cherish them as something rare,
As though I’d found a priceless treasure.
5. Whenever someone out of envy
Does me wrong by attacking or belittling me,
I will take defeat upon myself,
And give the victory to others.
6. Even when someone I have helped,
Or in whom I have placed great hopes
Mistreats me very unjustly,
I will view that person as a true spiritual teacher.
7. In brief, directly or indirectly,
I will offer help and happiness to all others,
And secretly take upon myself
All their hurt and suffering.
8. I will learn to keep all these practices
Untainted by thoughts of the eight worldly concerns.
May I recognize all things as like illusions,
And, without attachment, gain freedom from bondage.
~
Have these eight verses inspired you? Have you tried them for yourself? What did you notice? As always, we would love to hear about your experiences in the comments below.
Much love,
Team UPLIFT
goooooooooooood
Being compassionate and being possitve about it is better.
Such a wonderful reminder to set the ego aside. Doing that and being vigilant about giving thanks and acknowledging every blessing makes life more blissful. Blessings become even more abundant. I want to read this at the start of every day. Thank you so very much.
Refreshing.
Practice like your hair is on fire. Accept all living as precious miracles for that is what we all are. When in that way Be at home with yourself and all is Love. Thank you Cate Bridged
Very beautiful, but at least 2 of the Verses are outdated or are hurting yourself and the other more, than help.
I believe, wholeheartedly, that taking the hurt and suffering from others, is an act of being hurtful to yourself and them. While you take their hurt and suffering, you also take their chance of growth, while simultaneously keeping yourself from growing.
i will always see myself as equal no one is below or above another.
Thank you for the eight verses! These verses truly are actions that I can take and aspire to. They are practical and doable and are certain to bringSuccess.
Indeed, Good article
“without love and compassion humanity cannot exist” – true
Love is the essence. Compassion is the understanding necessary for harmony.
Seeking, giving, projecting both all the time is the way.
good thanks
I believe the concept of being the “lowest” person means that you take the position of listening to others as one open to learning another point of you, not “less than”
What are the eight worldly concerns please? Tks.
The surrender I experience, that I am un-important, crushes my selfish ego. I am not unique and my story is not special releases me from the bondage of self and thus frees me from the prison of the mind. It offers me opportunity to become useful to others. St. Francis Prayer says it best.
Powerful.love and compassion bt believe in this world they’re 5% of the people who are empathetic and the 95% who thinks of them selves who do not care about other’s
I don’t agree with everything that’s written here. Without compassion and care, humanity cannot exist is a very powerful statement that everybody needs to understand. But to surrender yourself and regard yourself as the lowest among a group of people is something I strongly disagree. A bigger challenge that will make you even stronger is to consider every being equal and exhibit the genuinely blessed act of compassion.