Kyabje Kalu Rinpoche

 

 

 

"For the Sake of Others . . ."

 

The Path of the Bodhisattva

 

Great Compassion

By Zen Master Torei

Translated by Thomas Cleary
Edited by Michael Shea

1. Great compassion is like the sky, because it covers all living beings.

 2. Great compassion is like the earth, because it produces all the teachings.

 3. Great compassion makes it possible to see Buddha nature, by first clarifying real knowledge for the sake of others.

 4. Great compassion makes it possible to pass through rigid barriers, by exploring the profound teachings more and more for the sake of others.

 5. Great compassion makes it possible to penetrate the mystery of life, by seeking a life beyond suffering for the sake of others.

 6. Great compassion can develop powerful skillfulness, by striving on this path for the sake of others.

 7. Great compassion can activate fearlessness, by keeping a vigorous will alive for the sake of others.

 8. Great compassion makes it possible to get beyond neurosis, because the mind is settled for the sake of others.

 9. Great compassion can produce broad learning, by studying everything for the sake of others.

 10. Great compassion can produce erudition (classical knowledge), by deep deduction of the principles of things for the sake of others.

 11. Great compassion can produce blessings, by always coming up with solutions for others.

 12. Great compassion can annihilate afflictions by sacrificing body, life, and belongings for others.

 13. Great compassion can eradicate conceit, by acting benevolently for others.

 14. Great compassion enables detachment from fame and profit, by basing everything on truth for the sake of others.

 15. Great compassion enables entry into the realm of reality, because there is nowhere it does not go for the sake of others.

The virtues of great compassion are infinite. They could be expounded upon forever without exhausting them, but it boils down to this:

Whoever has great compassion can extinguish all obstructions caused by past actions and can fulfill all virtues. No principle cannot be understood, no path cannot be practice, no knowledge not attained, no virtue not developed.
 

Just as when you want to win people’s hearts you first love their children, the Buddhas and bodhisattvas consider all living beings their children, so if you love all living beings equally, all the Buddhas will be moved to respond.