Cultivating Compassion for Harmony
Buddha Poornima (or Buddha Purnima), is also traditionally known as Vaishakh Poornima.
This day marks not just the birth of Shakyamuni Gautam Buddha, but also the day
of Enlightenment, and Mahaparinirvana.
The very day should be celebrated as the Global Compassion Day as the life and teachings
of Lord Buddha are characterised by the wish that others be free from suffering,
a wish extended without limits to all living beings.
Compassion or Karuna is a very powerful moral emotion. It is the core of Buddha's
teachings. All major religions place great importance on compassion. According to
the Gospel, true Christian compassion extends to all, even to the extent of loving
one's enemies. In the various Hindu traditions, compassion is called daya, and along
with charity and self-control, is one of the three central virtues In Jewish tradition
God is the ‘Father of compassion’. Compassion for all life, human and non-human,
is central to the Jain tradition and in the Muslim tradition, foremost among God's
attributes are mercy and compassion.
This idea is often articulated by the Dalai Lama, who says that individual experiences
of compassion radiate outward and increase harmony for all.
"If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy,
practice compassion." Dalai Lama
CALL FOR COMPASSION: ‘the humane quality of understanding the suffering of others
and wanting to do something about it.’
Habiart Foundation calls out to Individuals, groups, countries and the world at
large to cultivate compassion for greater social interconnection and humanism. On
an individual level you can simply help someone in need, be kind and speak the language
of love and harmony. On group levels, take pledges, create opportunities, and create
forums. On national levels be inclusive, sensitive and honest in the quest for social
harmony. We can win international countries as powerful allies only if we embrace
the teachings of Lord Buddha. The One Asia dream will only be real through the Buddha
link.
"In the sky, there is no distinction of east and west; people create distinctions
out of their own minds and then believe them to be true." Lord Buddha
Join us in our open celebration on 25 May. Do whatever you wish on this day to alleviate
anyone’s misery. Compassion is a great virtue in all philosophies. Practice it with
a golden rule passed down the ages : ‘Do to others what you would have them do to
you.’
Rekha Mody
Trustee - Habiart Foundation,
Vice President - Mahabodhi Society of India