key term - Karuna

Definition

Karuna is a fundamental concept in Buddhism that translates to 'compassion' or 'loving-kindness.' It emphasizes the importance of empathy and care for the suffering of all beings, encouraging individuals to act to alleviate that suffering. This sense of compassion is closely connected to various aspects of Buddhist practice, particularly in developing mental discipline, ethical decision-making, and understanding the interconnectedness of all life.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Karuna is considered one of the four immeasurables in Buddhism, alongside loving-kindness (metta), sympathetic joy (mudita), and equanimity (upekkha).
2. The cultivation of karuna is essential for achieving enlightenment, as it helps break down the barriers between self and others, fostering a sense of unity.
3. In Mahayana Buddhism, karuna is seen as a primary motivation for becoming a bodhisattva, as these individuals vow to help alleviate the suffering of all beings.
4. Meditation practices often incorporate karuna by encouraging practitioners to visualize sending compassion to themselves and others.
5. Karuna plays a crucial role in ethical decision-making in Buddhism, guiding individuals to consider the impact of their actions on the well-being of others.

Review Questions

• How does karuna influence the practice of Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration?
  • Karuna greatly influences Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration by encouraging practitioners to focus their mental discipline on alleviating suffering. Right Effort involves striving to cultivate qualities like compassion in one's thoughts and actions. Right Mindfulness encourages awareness not just of one's own experiences but also of the pain and needs of others. This compassionate approach enhances Right Concentration by directing focused meditation on understanding suffering and fostering empathy.
• Discuss the role of karuna in ethical decision-making within Buddhist teachings.
  • Karuna serves as a guiding principle in ethical decision-making by compelling individuals to consider the consequences of their actions on others. In Buddhism, decisions are made not only based on personal benefit but also on how they impact the well-being of all sentient beings. This compassionate outlook helps individuals weigh their choices with an understanding that their actions can either contribute to alleviating or perpetuating suffering.
• Evaluate the significance of karuna in Mahayana Buddhism and its relationship with the concept of the bodhisattva.
  • In Mahayana Buddhism, karuna holds immense significance as it embodies the core motivation for becoming a bodhisattva. Bodhisattvas exemplify selfless compassion by choosing to delay their own enlightenment in order to assist all sentient beings in overcoming suffering. This commitment highlights karuna's transformative power; it fosters an altruistic attitude that encourages practitioners not just to seek personal salvation but actively engage in efforts that uplift others, thereby reinforcing the interconnectedness central to Buddhist philosophy.

Related terms

Metta: Metta is the practice of loving-kindness, which involves cultivating unconditional love and goodwill towards oneself and others.

Bodhisattva:

A bodhisattva is a person who seeks enlightenment not just for themselves but also for the sake of all sentient beings, embodying the ideal of karuna in action.

Sangha:

Sangha refers to the community of monks, nuns, and lay followers in Buddhism, who support each other in cultivating compassion and wisdom.