2. Compassion and Benevolence
World Scripture
‘Benevolence (仁)’ means ‘man (人).’ When these two are conjoined, the result is ‘the Way.’
Mencius VII.B.16 (Confucianism)
Compassion is a mind that savors only mercy and love for all sentient beings.
Nagarjuna, Precious Garland 437 (Buddhism)
Anas and ‘Abdullah reported God’s Messenger as saying, “All [human] creatures are God’s children, and those dearest to God are those who treat His children kindly.”
Hadith of Baihaqi (Islam)
Those immersed in the love of God feel love for all things.1
Adi Granth, Wadhans, M.1, p. 557 (Sikhism)
He who is skilled in welfare, who wishes to attain that calm state (Nibbana), should act thus: He should be able, upright, perfectly upright, of noble speech, gentle, and humble. Contented, easily supported, with few wants and simple tastes, with senses calmed, discreet, not impudent, not greedily attached to families… [He should always hold this thought,] “May all beings be happy and secure, may their hearts be wholesome! Whatever living beings there be: feeble or strong, tall, stout or medium, short, small or large, without exception; seen or unseen, those dwelling far or near, those who are born or those yet unborn—may all beings be happy!” Let none deceive another, nor despise any person whatsoever in any place. Let him not wish any harm to another out of anger or ill-will. Just as a mother would protect her only child at the risk of her own life, even so, let him cultivate a boundless heart towards all beings. Let his thoughts of boundless love pervade the whole world: above, below, and across without any obstruction, without any hatred, without any enmity. Whether he stands, walks, sits or lies down, as long as he is awake, he should develop this mindfulness. This, they say, is the noblest living here.2
Sutta Nipata 143-151, Metta Sutta (Buddhism)
Now, I am jealous of no one, Now that I have attained unto the Society of the Saints: I am estranged with no one: nor is anyone a stranger to me, Indeed, I am the friend of all. All that God does, with that I am pleased; This is the wisdom I have received from the saints. Yea, the One God pervades all: and, seeing Him, I am wholly in bloom.
Adi Granth, Kanara, M.5, p. 129 (Sikhism)
If you step on a stranger’s foot in the marketplace, you apologize at length for your carelessness.
If you step on your older brother’s foot, you give him an affectionate pat, and if you step on your parent’s foot, you know you are already forgiven. So it is said, “Perfect ritual makes no distinction of persons; perfect righteousness takes no account of things [wealth]; perfect knowledge does not scheme; perfect benevolence knows no [partiality in] affection; perfect trust dispenses with gold.”3
Chuang Tzu 23 (Taoism)
Benevolence (仁) is simple undifferentiated gentleness. Its energy is the springtime of the universe, and its principle is the mind of living things in the universe.
Chu Hsi (Confucianism)
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon
Through many religions, God has taught us that we must love. The Buddha described it by the word compassion. Confucianism described it as benevolence and righteousness. Its teachings on benevolence, righteousness, propriety and wisdom indicate that there is no virtue unless love is included. The Chinese character for benevolence (仁) shows two (二) people (人). The Chinese character for Heaven (天) also contains two (二) people (人).
(256:205, March 13, 1994)
Love cannot be true love if it is only for me. True love cannot be my individual possession. True love is for all people and for the whole universe. True love is what connects the family, the society, the nation, the world and universe.
(Blessing and Ideal Family 1.3.8)
Even among fallen human beings, a parent’s love for his or her children approximates original parental love. Parental love is absolute because it can transcend the parent’s consciousness of his or her existence and activity. It is not comprehended by biological instinct, nor can it be constrained by a ruler’s decree. Parental love transcends ideology. It transcends humanistic values. It can even transcend God’s value.
(8:273, February 7, 1960)
What is true love? It is God’s love. Then, what is God’s love? Jesus defined it as love that is capable of loving even an enemy… Those who can unconditionally love everyone, including their enemies, must command the respect of others, whether they are black, white or yellow. This would be true in the past, in the present, and on into the future, even a million years from now. So this must be a universal truth. Consider all the founders of religion—Jesus, Confucius and Mohammed. Throughout their lives they lived for the benefit of the world, loving humankind.
(115:315-16, November 29, 1981)
How can we digest the evils of the world? With military power? With economic power? With the power of knowledge, or gold? No, we must digest this evil world with the power of love… A small child climbs up on to the topknot on the head of his great grandfather, who is so old he is near death, and then slips off. As he sliding down, he urinates and defecates all over the old man, covering him from his head to his waist with urine and feces. Can such a thing be forgiven? The grandmother and grandfather will shout, “Oh, no!” and the mother and father will shout, “Oh, no” and make a tremendous fuss. But will the great grandfather shout, “This brat humiliated me! You must punish him for this!” No, he cannot. He will just laugh. What great power and authority can do this? Only the unsurpassed power of love! Love is like a huge pot that melts everyone together and creates harmony. What a wonderful melting pot!
(139:209-10, January 31, 1986)