Karuṇā

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Template:Short description Template:Italic title Template:Infobox Buddhist term Template:Cetasika Template:Sidebar with collapsible lists Template:Jainism Template:Hinduism


Template:IAST (Template:Langx) is generally translated as compassion or mercy and sometimes as self-compassion or spiritual longing.<ref>Regarding the Sanskrit word, see "Template:IAST" in Template:Harvtxt, where the noun form of the word is defined as "pity, compassion".
Template:*For the Pali word, see "Template:IAST" Template:Webarchive in Template:Harvtxt, where it is defined as "pity, compassion".
Template:*Contemporary scholars, translators, and interpreters have consistently translated the word as "compassion", not "pity". This can be seen, for instance, in (listed chronologically) Template:Harvtxt, Template:Harvtxt, Template:Harvtxt, Template:Harvtxt, Template:Harvtxt, Template:Harvtxt, and Template:Harvtxt.</ref> It is a significant spiritual concept in the Indic religions of Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism.

Hinduism

In Hinduism, Template:IAST is one of the fundamental virtues and qualities that a spiritual aspirant is encouraged to cultivate. Many Hindu deities are depicted as embodiments of compassion.<ref>Karuna hinduismpedia Template:Dead link</ref> Karuṇā is often linked with other virtues such as "Maitri" (loving-kindness) and "Ahimsa" (non-violence). Together, these virtues form the foundation of a righteous and spiritually fulfilling life. The word comes from the Sanskrit kara, meaning “to do” or “to make,”<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> indicating an action-based form of compassion, rather than the pity or sadness associated with the English word. In Hindu mythology, the concept of "Karuṇā" or compassionate action is deeply embedded and is often illustrated through stories, characters, and teachings.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Each avatar's story of Hindu pantheon is an embodiment of divine compassion in action. For instance, in Shiva Tandava Stotra, Shiva is described as Karunavataram, meaning compassion personified.<ref>Bhandari, N. B. (2022). The Outlook: Journal of English Studies. Outlook, 13, 100-114.</ref>

Karuna is one of the nine primary rasas (aesthetic principles) in classical Indian arts and literature<ref>Schwartz, Susan L. Rasa: Performing the divine in India. Columbia University Press, 2004.</ref>."Karuṇā Rasa," or the sentiment of compassion, is a pivotal theme in the Ramayana, one of India's principal epics. The narrative commences with the sage Valmiki observing a tragic incident involving a pair of krauncha birds (Sarus cranes), setting the emotional tone for the epic.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Witnessing the male bird being killed by a hunter, leaving its partner in anguish, Valmiki is moved to curse the hunter through a spontaneous verse, which ultimately becomes the Ramayana's first shloka (verse). This moment, steeped in sorrow and compassion, not only initiates the composition of the epic but also symbolically prefigures the central narrative of love, loss, and separation experienced by the protagonists, Rama and Sita, embodying the essence of "Karuṇā Rasa."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Following this, the god Brahma instructs Valmiki to write Rama's story, revealing the entire tale to him.

Yoga

The foundational work of Yoga, Patanjali's Yoga Sutras—a comprehensive compilation of Sanskrit aphorisms elucidating the theory and practice of yoga—specifically emphasize the concept of Karuna.

The verse maitrī-karuṇā-muditopekṣaṇāṃ sukha-duḥkha-puṇyāpuṇya-viṣayāṇāṃ bhāvanātaś citta-prasādanam advocates for the cultivation of friendliness (Maitri), compassion (Karuna), joy (Mudita), and equanimity (Upeksha) in response to life's dualities: happiness (Sukha) and suffering (Duhkha), as well as moral virtue (Punya) and vice (Apunya). This practice, according to Patanjali, is instrumental in achieving a state of mental tranquility (Chittaprasadanam), underscoring the psychological and ethical dimensions integral to yoga's philosophical framework.

Buddhism

Template:IAST is important in all schools of Buddhism. For Theravada Buddhists, dwelling in Template:IAST is a means for attaining a happy present life and heavenly rebirth. For Mahāyāna Buddhists, Template:IAST is a co-requisite for becoming a Bodhisattva.

Theravada Buddhism

In Theravāda Buddhism, Template:IAST is one of the four "divine abodes" (Template:Transliteration), along with loving kindness (Pāli: Template:Transliteration), sympathetic joy (Template:Transliteration), and equanimity (Template:Transliteration).<ref>Template:Multiref2</ref> In the Pali canon, Gautama Buddha recommends cultivating these four virtuous mental states to both householders and monastics.<ref>For instance, in the Kālāmā Sutta (AN 3.65), the Buddha speaks of all Noble Disciples (Template:Transliteration) developing the brahmaviharas. Template:Harvtxt</ref> When one develops these four states, Buddha counsels radiating them in all directions, as in the following stock canonical phrase regarding Template:IAST: Template:Quote Such a practice purifies one's mind, avoids evil-induced consequences, leads to happiness in one's present life, and, if there is a future karmic rebirth, it will be in a heavenly realm.<ref>Template:Harvtxt. In regards to in which heavenly realm a frequent Template:IAST-dweller will be reborn, Template:Harvtxt identifies it as the realm of radiant (Template:Transliteration) devas, whose lifespans last two eons.</ref>

The Pali commentaries distinguish between Template:IAST and Template:Transliteration in the following complementary manner: Template:Transliteration is the desire to remove harm and suffering (Template:Transliteration) from others; while Template:Transliteration is the desire to bring about the well-being and happiness (Template:Transliteration) of others.<ref>Sn-A 128 (cited by Template:Harvtxt; see also, Template:Harvtxt. Similarly, the post-canonical Visuddhimagga IX.105–109, provides further elucidation, such as with a metaphor describing Template:Transliteration as a mother's wish for her (healthy) child to grow up and Template:Transliteration as a mother's wish for her sick child to get well, Template:Harvtxt.</ref> The "far enemy" of Template:IAST is cruelty, a mind-state in obvious opposition. The "near enemy" (quality which superficially resembles Template:IAST but is in fact more subtly in opposition to it), is (sentimental) pity: here too one wants to remove suffering, but for a partly selfish (attached) reason hence not the pure motivation.<ref>Template:Multiref2</ref> In the Pāli Canon, Buddhas are also described as choosing to teach "out of compassion for beings."<ref>In Pali, Template:Transliteration, found in DN 3.6 (regarding Vipassī Buddha), MN 26.21 and SN 6.1, see, e.g., Template:Harvtxt; and Template:Harvtxt. Several other references in the Pali Canon to the Buddha's acting out of "compassion" are not related directly to Template:Transliteration but to the synonymous Template:Transliteration, which is also defined as "mercy" in Template:Harvtxt.</ref>

Mahayana Buddhism

In Mahāyāna Buddhism, Template:IAST is one of the two qualities, along with enlightened wisdom (Sanskrit: Template:Transliteration), to be cultivated on the bodhisattva path. According to scholar Rupert Gethin, this elevation of Template:IAST to the status of prajña is one of the distinguishing factors between the Theravāda arahant ideal and the Mahāyāna bodhisattva ideal: Template:Quote

Throughout the Mahāyāna world, Avalokiteśvara (Sanskrit; Chinese: Guan Yin; Japanese: Kannon; Tibetan: Chenrezig) is a bodhisattva who embodies Template:IAST.

In the Intermediate section of the Stages of Meditation by Kamalaśīla, he writes: Template:Quote

In Tibetan Buddhism, one of the foremost authoritative texts on the Bodhisattva path is the Bodhisattvacaryāvatāra by Shantideva. In the eighth section entitled Meditative Concentration, Shantideva describes meditation on Karunā as thus:

Template:Quote

Jainism

Template:IAST is associated with the Jain practice of compassion. For instance, Template:IAST is one of the four reflections of universal friendship—along with amity (Sanskrit: Template:Transliteration), appreciation (Template:Transliteration) and equanimity (madhyastha)—used to stop (samvara) the influx of karma.<ref>Template:Harvtxt. Regarding samvara, see "Release from karmas". From a comparative religion perspective, cf. Buddhism's four brahmavihara; for instance, Template:Transliteration is often identified as a Sanskrit correlate of the Pali Template:Transliteration—Template:Harvtxt, entry for "Mettā".</ref>

Miscellaneous

Template:IAST is a common first name throughout India, used for both genders.

In literature

In Aldous Huxley's novel Island, the concept of "karuna" is pivotal to the philosophical and spiritual ethos of the society depicted in the book.<ref>Huxley, Aldous. "Island." Harper & Brothers, 1962.</ref> In the novel, it represents an ideal of emotional intelligence and empathetic living, contrasting with the more self-centered and materialistic attitudes seen in the Western world. This concept is central to the practices and worldview of the inhabitants of Pala, a fictional island situated between the Andaman Islands and Sumatra. Huxley uses the mynah birds throughout the novel as a recurring motif to reinforce the importance of mindfulness and compassion in Pala's society. The birds are trained to repeat "Karuna" at key moments, such as during moments of stress, conflict, or potential violence. This serves to remind the islanders (and the reader) to approach situations with understanding and empathy.

See also

Notes

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Sources

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|CitationClass=web }} — The network of Karuna-Shechen foundations in Europe, North America and Asia is raising funds for humanitarian projects in the Himalayan region.

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