Empathy 恕 from Collection of Rain Blossoms

When the heart is steady, empathy arises like its shadow. Image: Shutterstock.

We have already spoken of discipline, steadiness, insight, and wisdom. These are what help us take the first steps in practice. But once something has been gained through practice, how should it be lived out in daily life? The teaching gives us this guidance: discipline, steadiness, and insight are medicine for the three poisons—greed, anger, and delusion.

The Medicine for the Three Poisons

Discipline heals greed or craving, for it keeps desire from taking over. Steadiness heals anger, for a calm mind is not easily stirred to rage. Insight heals delusion, for clear seeing breaks through confusion.

When the poisons are removed, the true path is already well underway. And if, along with this, you bring forth the spirit of empathy—to stand in another’s place and understand their heart as your own—your practice will deepen all the more.

Empathy Over Ridicule

Empathy is the natural shadow of steadiness. Yet many in this world still laugh at the faults of others. Nothing could be more foolish. The faults we notice in others are also found in ourselves. Why waste our breath on ridicule?

In the end, whatever faults others may have, you are no exception. So let the answer be empathy, not scorn. This again shows us: when the mind is calm, wisdom naturally appears.

恕

雨花集

濟公活佛 

關於戒、定、慧、智，上文已有所述，有助於入門修持。但到底怎樣去應用你之修持所得？照佛法相對論有說﹕戒定慧為醫治佛門三毒之良劑。佛門三毒為﹕貪、嗔、癡。照所說，戒可醫貪，定則醫嗔，慧乃醫癡。修持者既有所得，則三毒必除；三毒既除，大道已行其半，倘能加一「恕」字，則更有助力。

因為恕就是定之影。世上不少人嘲諷別人，乃屬愚不可及。需知人之所失，豈必自己無之，諷人何為？

總之，無論任何事情，別人有何所失，你自己亦不能例外。因此，只有同情，不能嘲諷。此乃由定生慧之又一理證也。

A Personal Reflection

What this chapter shows us feels so true. Empathy is needed in practice, because the ego has a way of making us feel like we’re better than people who aren’t on the path. When we first start the journey, we often let go of unhelpful habits—like smoking, gambling, or even stopping ourselves from using harsh language. It’s natural to feel good about that, because we’ve turned away from what’s harmful and moved toward what’s wholesome. That sense of progress is important—it keeps us going in the right direction. But if that feeling of being “better” isn’t watched carefully, the ego slips in and twists it into moral superiority. And the worst part is, it happens so quietly that we don’t even notice.

I remember watching historical films and feeling strong hatred toward leaders who exploited others and caused mass suffering. It’s not wrong to hate crimes against humanity. But what was missing in me was empathy alongside that hate.

Over ten years ago, I had an experience that shook me to the core. I was researching online when I stumbled across a horrifying photo: two Japanese soldiers rolling a bound body back and forth over a bed of sharp needles. The body was helpless, lifeless—and the soldiers went about it as if it were nothing. I was so shocked I burst into tears. The only words that came out of my mouth were, “I have to become a buddha. I can never let myself do that to anyone.”

Then came the deeper realization. I didn’t feel hatred for those soldiers. Instead, I saw that if I had been born in their place, under the same conditions, I might have done the same thing. That thought terrified me. And it woke me up to something essential: the only way to make sure I never cause that kind of harm in future lives is to awaken. I cannot let delusion take over. How could I scorn them, when I carry the same seeds myself? They are stored in me too. If I am not watchful, those seeds can blossom in future lives. And it is here I began to glimpse the depth of the Buddha’s compassion.

This translated text is a chapter from Collection of Rain Blossoms, a scripture written by JiGong Living Buddha in the 1900s through spirit writing. Here the link to the original Chinese source.

If you are interested in other chapters of this book, here is the link to the table of contents.