May All Beings Be Free of Suffering

📖Master’s Reading

True compassion was never pitying others from on high but feeling with them and sincerely reaching out a hand. In practicing the "Four Immeasurables," the second step is to give rise to "compassion": "May all beings be forever free of suffering and the cause of suffering." Yet after this line, one must likewise add the most important secret of transforming the mind: "and may my mind be free of suffering too."

There is a law of relativity in the cosmos; we and all things are in fact a closely linked community. When we see others suffer, if we can selflessly reach out and help them resolve torment, then as long as beings can leave suffering and its cause, this energy of liberation finally returns to us. The truth of the dharmadhātu is: "Be good to others, and good returns; if I am willing to give, it surely returns." This is the inconceivable loop where, in practice, benefiting others is benefiting oneself.

Moreover, true compassion does not cling; willing to give, one does not mind how much — give what should be given, and having given, do not turn back to wait for the other's thanks. If we can set down selfishness and, putting ourselves in another's place, feel their hardship, when beings attain liberation the affliction within us naturally disperses too. Compassion not only warms a cold world but lets our soul, in redeeming others, attain true peace and transcendence.

🌱Reflection for Daily Life

• Compassion is feeling with others and sincerely reaching out.
• May beings leave suffering, and may my mind leave suffering too.
• By the cosmos's relativity, benefiting others is benefiting oneself.
• Compassion does not cling; redeeming others brings peace.
• May beings leave suffering, and may my mind leave suffering too.